Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-01-13
NO

e these points. and will probaly prevent,
: it be adoped, this conflict ii time 10 com
, Certain it is that something ought to b
!, done IL rrt an end toit.e The gentleman
says that fifty millions ofacres have beef
already claimed as swamp lands unde
! this grant. and that owing to TIE construc
which is given to it, that the title vrstec
at the time Of the passage or approval Of the
act, the States claim rishtto the land.
from that day, forward and that conflicts
follow, as necessary consequence with all
the claimants who 60 on that land. Now,
one Of two things is true either that ac:,
when it passed, vested all the lands in the
States, or IT vested part Of the Landslide
overflow ed portions which were not des4
ignated, which could not be designated,
!, and for which no patent could then be
claimed Now, Congress could not have
donated all, yet all may be claimed: under
the views presented BY the gentleman from
Ohio, MIR ,Disney.) under instruction from
the Department of the Interior. think
that the Department is wrong. Think
that that Interpretation Of the act is,
10 very great extent. cause Of the
difficulties that have arts en- in the matter;
and think that claimants have no right
10 get one foot Of these lands until they
can produce evidence to the Government
Of the United Stats that. they are 6ondas
fde Owners. II they are held to their
proofs, then it is entirely plain and simple.
But was willing togo Beyond that. 4
was willing TO allow that where lands are
claimed By parties. and whenthese pariiess
can bring themselves, on legal principles, s
before the Commissioner, and demonstrate
that fact, then they shall be al)owed-.if
cash has been paid-to receive the cash
from tue State treasury; or, ii the land has
been entered by scrip or land warrants,
they shall De allowed to enter like guam.
tity OF land elsewhere. at'the price DC S 4
20 per acle, or less. ssss ca esssszs gss#
The only thing complained Of. think
is, that some Of the gentlemen from wes-s
tern States think that the condition i'm
posed in the bill have offered, are rather
hard terms; they think it hard to be re-.
CURED TO come to Washington to have
the,riclsims decided and that ought to be
more liberal aud allow this thing to be-
done at home. will tell gentlemen, the
reason why do not wan. this thing to be-
done at home. II is reason which ope..
rates in my own State also. There are
great many tracts Of land in my own State
which are the subject Of controversy, and
no man ventures TO 60 into the Ssats seuEts
to have the matter settled And why p.
Because OF the sdverse' feeling of the
lneighborhood; because the local pride of
the neie borhoood,. because the local Ut.
tachment Of the neighborhood binds the
parties together and denies to the par.ies,
! claiming an opportunity to secure so fail a.
ttac! as they could receive in the Federal
Court, where the cause would be removed,
from the immediate neighborhood, and
where the parties interested can. get fair
trial. Now, Iwant this matser' removed
from the brotherhood; want il removed
from this new State association; | want 10.
have il brought here beforea disinteresteds
person who has the capacity to examines
the case, who understands the law Of the
case, aud who will be free from ali bias.
and influence Of every kind, that he NAV
examine the mattxR, and pronounce sueh,
Judgment as will do Justice. not only to the
State, but to the United States. That il
all want. z.szs esSs Iiessb 80
Mr.. Greenwood, offArkansas, here in
some remarks questioned the fairness Of
Mr.. Letcher's conclusions and arguments.
I Mr.. Letchcr, (interrupting.) II the
gentleman from Arkansas EA1r. tAreen-
wood will allow me one moment, / will
say that my complaint ia predicted on the
report of the Commissioner Of the Land
Office; have no knowledge about il
myself. ss#H ss 'a-ysgs ss4a sssz 4
L Mr.. Greenwood continued BY stating
that the law HIGH had been passed had
been strictly observed. .NsE
/ Mr.. Letcher. Will the gentleman from
Arkansas permit me to ask HIM question Z
/ Mr.. Greenwood. Certainly.
+ MIR. Letches. Will the gentleman To-
form us how many acres Of land Arkansas
has claimed under this bills n
Nj. Greenwood. am not accurately
|inforLed as to that; but perhaps, some
lseven or eight millions Of acres.
Mr.Letcher. And vet, whes the bill
was about to be passed, it was said that
Arkansas would only be entitled, under it,
TO some eight hundred aud seventy odd
thousand acres. *sa,.a3 slsa awes
Mr.. Greenwood continued his remarks.
\ Mr.. I.etclssr. So far - Lhave sny per-
sonal knewietge Of these, difiieulties, they
have grown up since 1852. - :
Mr.. Disney, Of Ohio, said: Is the States
are actually vested with the legal right,
possession, and title TO the lands IN cen
troversy, is it competent for Congress, By
all act oflegislatios. to divess then Of such
right possession, and title i ,l.ss35s ..s..ss.
Mr.. Letcher. The gentleman. then, Il
not willing to legisla.e at ali. y A
Mr.. Disney here made remark entire,
" inaudible to the fetoytes, = azs S.
4 MIR. Letcher. Wilk We permisaion Of
the gentlemen will correct him. He
says that everything provided Tor in INV
: bill is now done in the De partment Of ID,
Interior, IN connection with these lands,
Now. sir. the Commissioner Of Public
Lands Says this-and think, If the gentle.
man will attend to it, he will come to the
conclusion that he is mistaken. He says
"Tcremedy ills evil, 1 respectfully recommend
hst sthorty be given for the issue Of these patents
That have provided for in my bill.
"And that provision be made BY law, that the nur
chase money for any such lands be paid over to u,
That also have provided fos IN N,
bill.
"And that they be authorized to select others Ii
lieu OF those located with scrip, land warrants &C.