Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-03-25
The Great Question of the Day.

The Great Question of the Day.
The great practical question for the calm and
serious consideration of the people of Virginia
at the present time, is the disposition Of the pub
lie lands, or the proceeds of their sales already
accumulated to an immense amount in tie Fed
eral Treasury. 1t is question in which the
people of Virginia are particularly interested for
several substantial reasons. In the first place,
because Virginia coded large proportion OF
these lands to the United States for the common
benefit, not absolutely, but as her Trustee, and
she ought to insist upon faithful execution OF
the trust, according to the obvious intent and
meaning of the deed of cession; and to protest
against any unjust and unequal distribution OF
her munifcent donation among few States OF
the Confederacy, contrary to her express stipu-
lation that it was to be used tor the common
benefit of all the States, "Virginia inclusive
and for no other purpose whatsoever. In the
next place she is specially interested in the ques
ton Just now, because of the crippled and en-
barrassed condition of her finances; the enor-
NOUS taxation under which the people groan
the languishing situation OF her public WORKS
(the completion of which is essential TO the
growth and prosperity of the State,) not to men
ton the prospect of increased burdens in the
future, without which her internalimprovements
must be abandoned to decsy-a prospect that
has already called forth the disgraceful PROPOSE
ton of reputation from men who have occupied
high position in the councils of the State. ltdoes
seem TO US that this desperate state OF affairs
ought to start an inquiry in the minds OF reflect
lng men, as to what has been done, and what is
to be done in the future with that boundles'
area of fruitful lands, coded to the General Gov
eminent by the old States in their "fush times"
for the common benefit of all the States. Vir-
ginia was included il the benefits to accrue from
this magnificent trust fund, and surely her peo-
pie ought to know whether any Of the sister
States have received anything in the way Of
lands or money, and if SO why the State OF Vir-
gna has not received the distributiye share to
which she is justly entitled. Let it be remem-
bered that the value of these lands is almost in
calculable. In 1882 the quantity was estimated
at one billion and eighty million of acres! and
Mr.. Clay predicted that for centuries to come
our children's children would be celebrating in
the halls of Congress on the question of the pub
lie lands. At that date the annual average pro-
ceeds of these lands amounted to $3,000,00O, and
Virgnias portion would then have amounted to
$21S,79S. Now, owing to the increased sales,
the share of this State amounts to much larger
sum, and the shares increasing as the sales in
crease, Virginia would be entitled for century
to come to an immense annual income. In ad-
dition to all this, says the ''Warrenton Whig,'
''the President, in his message of 1858 and '54,
states that these lands after debiting them with
oil the cost of cquisition-lndian titles--Sur-
veys-sales, &C., have yielded to the Ire asury Of
the United States the large sum of FIFTY-THREE
MILLIONS OF DoLLARs!! Virgi MIA is also entitled
to her distributive share of this fund-held by
the federal government, for the use Of the States
and for no other use or purpose aohaterer !!P
This claim of Virginia on the federal treasury a.
mounts to about THREE MILLIONS FIVE HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS y"
The Constitution having confded to Congress
the disposition of this immense "landed estate"
we come to inquire how they have disposed of
it so far and whether they have dealt out the
lands and the proceeds according to the proyis-
ions of the trust deed, ito the use and benefit Of
the United States, VIRGINIA INCLUSIVE, TO be
FAITHFULLY and BONA FIDE disposed Of for that
purpose and for no other use or purpose aohateu-
En-" Every one who is familiar with the histo-
ry of the country for the last thirty years knows
that such has not been the case. Thousands of
acres have been lavished upon the new States to
build their railroads and canals and establish
their schools and colleges. 1t has been given to
individuals, and of recent years it has become
the corruption fund-for the purchase of MEN,
bers of Congress.
BY official documents it appears that down to 1853
Congress had given in this manner for educational
PURPOSES. .11,ISS,sIo aetes
For Internal Improvements, ........ .16607,0lS "
Making an aggregate of. .27,S 06,9S6 "
These munifcent grants at government prices,