The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-14
CEssIoN OF THE PUBLIC LANDs-MR; PERKINs's
SPEECH, - -

i We advered few days ago the bills pending in
Congress for the transfer Of the public lands within the
States to the States in which they situated AT the
time referred TO the speech this subject by Mr.
Perkins of louisiana Of martN ability Turning
that speech find two arguments in favor Of the propo-
son striking and forcbly presented that deem
it appropriate them for the benefit Of our read
es The tanning the arguments alluded to
| are as follows.
GREAT ARGuaEsr Is FAVOR or THE SUBSTITUTE is THAT
II crKTAs BY its adoption 22a fed
ea offices will be abolished and their duties imposed upon
/ State officers.
Mr. Calhoun whom il was given TO detect danger To
the constitution before il visible minds and
whose eloquence but the earnest protest of the future
against the present said that the instruments
Of consolidation under government the land Of
| fee, the currency aud the post Office.
The constitution originally interpreted BY its Trainers
left the great Of legislation to the States and restrict
ed the federal government the management of foreign
affairs and few internal matters Yet disguised under
pride of national greatness has been the tendency
sodaton that insensbly power after another has
been assumed until the general government almost the
exclusion OF the State governments has made itself felt
all the relations Of life Its encroachments have been in
visible, bat constant
With the addition Of each State the relative great
ness of the general government has been Increased and
that Of the individual States diminished With increased
power TO reward its offices have become more valuable
The popular mind has associated increase Of constu-
tional power with national development Congress has
sons increasing in length while those Of the State ega
lures have become less frequent and shorter.
Under the administration Of Mr. jefferson in 1904 there
were but five heads Of department: there
There then but 3s06 federal officers there are In
the employment Of government throughout the country,
35456
The adoption Of the substitute win abolish 2ss Of these
and with advantage to the particular interests involves
transfer their duties to those of the States.
John Randolph of Roanoke speaking this subject in
the Senate of the United States in March 1925 said
Jx.i.b ,la y
state that in the shape Of receverships and other
these states might not be brought under the influence
OF the land Office in the hands Of individual
States and in the hands Of the general government
Of this general government which has increased in
ereasing, and must be diminished we-the state-sbal
be not only 'horn Of our beams SIR but abolished quite"
Mr. Van Buren, In May of the year in the Senate
said The public lands had extended the patronage OF
the government the States a great extent and
subjected those in which they situated Hto
wise and Improbable dependence the federal
ment No could render the country greater service
than he who should devise plan by which United
States might be relieved from the ownership Of this prop
erty by some equitable mode Hewould vote for propo-
sition such terms.
In 1880, Mr. Hayne, in the Senate, said,
More than half time has been taken up with the
discussion Of propositions connected with the public lands
and than half acts embrace provisions growing
out Of this fruitful source
In 1892 Mr. Calhoun said the discussion about their dis
position consumed one-thrd Of the time Of Congress
under date Of May II, 1854 says: - r
81 state my deliberate opinion that during the sixteen
YEAR. have served Congress at least third Of the
ton Of oues,ion. connected a. one s ~
publicland system II
The Clerk of this House Colonel Forney in note in rc
ply to an inquiry on the subject says
Fifteen hundred columns Of Congressional Globe and
Appendix for the Thirty second Congress up with
debates public lands and the expense 10 the government
incurred alone By the time consumed Slas, $40"
Again: This subsfuts only reduces the patronage n
TIE general government rssslgg from the administration of
s public land but take, them out Of The political are.a
question purely Of political economy r,H longer ., MADE
one PaTfi'an oonfrorgsy in hs 10
cal interests and polite, of ne States
desire to discuss this subject upon elevated principles
and without appeal 10 party feelings But ask members
the disposition Of the public lands has been ele-
ment ON one side the other in all our political con-
tests II was directly connected with the great Hsyne
and Webster debate and after srsyng opposition the
old asd the States and embtterng feeling at the
NORM and The South has ever since affected the regulation
II was closely connected with the financial measures
o. General Jaoksons administration mixed itself up with
his contest with the United States Bank and became the
suggestion OF change in the constitution IL has ever
been associated with the discussion the power of Con-
gress TO make internal Improvements and now when one
after another o. these questions has been settled passed
away remains with the subject Of slavery 10 onopos
our time and enbarrass legislation
Is this never to cease7 Having assisted 10 make and
unmske Presidents for half century is il 10 continue
fund upon which individual members NAV draw m ,unnl
political capital for their districts Has NOT IN. r.urn ~
members to this House been in greater degree n
depend upon the legislation Congress npon this snh;c
than upon any other Do measures obieconabl. in
principle ally themselves with grants of Lad 10 force r.
rcsentstves to the alternative Of violation Of their con
.'enon o. oonsntnnonai night or seeming snsgonism
TO the interests OF their constituents
believe sir there 10 general desire that this should
cease believe Il to be the feeling of the country that
the public lands should be disposed Of once for susty