The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-03-18
PUBLIC LANDS.

or all the ways for making money, the best and A.
has been thought to be investments in western lana,
great part of the land in the new States and Tsrr,O,
owned by non-residents, having been bought a, Aha.
81 25 per acre What was purchased at that prs. a.
years ago will, as general thing perhaps, bring iron Ga
to fifteen dollars acre at the present time II, "A,
resident purchaser will still cling to H. waiting for M
thing TO turn up to increase its value.
The consequence of selling of the public lands Iap,
that the actual settler is Obliged to travel over sr
tracts OF unoccuped soil before he any which
pre-empt This is an obstruction to the development A.
Territories inasmuch it surely discourages settlers M
penetrating the frontier On side Of the line the %
Ger is toiling TO cultivate the land which he purcha
the government He increases its value. On the oA
SIDE the land is owned by nonresident capitals
1t remains unoccupied but is rising in value through N
industry of the adjoining settler. Now very clear In
it is contrary 10 plain principles of political economy
well as against equity and justice to crowd the pu
lands into market and thereby suffer them 10 fall into IN
hands Of men who intend to improve them-iDsf
the hands of mere SPECTATORS. practice squinB.
aud economi al is that which we informed has been Nj
late to considerable extent adopted by the General Land
Office This is to reserve the public lands for actual m
ters after they have been surveyed, as long there
prospect that actual settlers will purchase and occur
them We are rejoced to observe that the present admin
stration appreciate the benefcent nature of this po
and that disposition exists the part of the Executive
to have 1t faithfully carried into operation Mr. Buchanan
views on this importan subject stated 10 bis Inaugural
are wise and discriminating:
No nation in the tide of time has been blessed will
so rich and noble inheritance enjoy in the pub
ands In administering this important trust while mar
be wise TO grant portions of them for the Improvement
remainder, yet should forget that Is card
nal policy these lands, much may be- auG
seersand this moderate prices. We shall thus O
best promote the prosperity Of the States and To
BY furnishing them hardy and independent of hon
and industrious citizens, but shall homes for
den and childrens children, well as for those %
from foreign shores who may seek in this country mp
their condition, and to enjoy the blessings of civil and
gious liberty"
Lands can now be preempted in the Territories evs
before they surveyed In this respect the settler h
peculiar ad vantage the outside speculaor But ibid
advantage is enough to reward the toll and expopu
which the pioneer is subjected to- The only Legitimate
adequate encouragement which be given him, is 70
serve the public lands from public SALE by which mean
nearly every acre will become occupied and CULTIVATED
The treasury is by mans suffering for the proceeds
the lands and there is no reason for hurryDg the sailed
| them.
1t is not long since the garden region Of this henk
pherethe valley Of the Mississippiwas domain opal
to the pioneer. But that valley is longer vacant Th
pioneer has penetrated to the headwaters of the M
sissppi and the Rocky mountains, to the Padi
shore. The statesman, therefore, may well begin to reflect
upon the consequences of hasty disposal Of the public
lands and inquire II any better plan can be devised for M
development Of remote regions than the economical
walton of these lands for the and occupation Of
settlers. .....,t ..'