Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-05-15

+ But what would be The actual amour.
annually for distribution if any such un-
wise measure should become a law -
Mr.. King, of Alabams, in his report, es>
timated the average annual proceeds at
lSl,75osooo. Mr.. Calhoun estimates
them. in his report. in previous part Of
this address. at So, 500. 600. Mr.. Clay
estimated them at $3. 900. 900. Bysre-
tterrlng to the tabular statements contain
ed in that curious exposition of the Ma
tlonal lntelligencer, before referred to. il
will be seen, that, for the last sixteen
years. to wit, since 1850, there are but
four years in which the amount of the
proceeds of the public lands exceeded
three millions of dollars twelve years in
which they fell below three millions six
years in whi,h they fell below two mil
lions, and one year in which they fell be-
low one million. It is true, the receipts
for the year ending the LIST of July, 1866,
were $8.9l7,644; and yet we are in
formed by the Secretary of the Treasury,
in his last annual report, that the receipts
for the first quarter. of the present fiscal
year, have fallen below the corresponding
quarter of the last year ST. ASS, ,345 48.
rendering it probable that the receipts
for the present year will not much exceed
three millions of dollars.
1 think it may then be fairly assumed
that the annual average proceeds of the
public lands are about $4,000, 900, Of
which sum, upon the principle of all the
bills which have heretofore been present.
ed and passed. Virginia would receive
Sal Coca sum not efficient to construct
tive miles Of railroad year. and not suf-
ficient. if SO applied, to diminish. in any
Perceptible degree. the burden OF our ex-
isting taxes.
cannot withhold the following charsc.
teristic specimen of Mr.. Benton's style Of
oratory. which exhibits, in striking man.
ner. the small game with the distribution.
lists are pursuing. Speaking in the Sen.
ate in l84l. on the Land Distribution
bill. he said: H..
81 scorn the bill. I scout its Wanted
popularity, l detest it.. Nor can con-
ceive of an object more pitiable and con-
temptible than that of the demagogue
harauguing for votes. and exhibiting his
tables of dollars and acres, in order to
show each voter. or each State, how much
money they will be able to obtain from
the treasury If the land bill passes. Such
haranguing, and such exhibition is the ad.
dress Of impudence and knavery to sup
posed ignorance, meanness, and folly
1t is treating the people as il they were
penny-wise and pound foolish, and still
more mean than foolish. Why, the land
revenue. after deducting the expenses. if
fairly divided among the States, and ap>
piled to their debts, would not super
sede above nine>pence per annum of tax
alton upon the units of the population
The day for land sales has gone by. The
sales of this year do not exceed a million
aud half Of dollars. which would not
leave more than million for distribution,
which. among sixteen millions Of people.
would be exactly four pence half-penny.
Virginia money. per head a ftp in New
York. and picaillion in Louisiana. Al
two millions. it would be nine pence
head in Virginia, equivalent to levy in
New York, aud 6H in Louisiana pre-
cisely the amount which, in specie times,
gentleman gives to negro boy for hol.
ding his horse minute at the door
Aud for this miserable doit-this insight.
ticant subdivision Of shilling-a York
shilling-can the demagogue suppose that
the people are base enough 10 violate
their Constitution-mean enough TO SUR
render the defence OF their country, and
stupid enough to be taxed in their cof.
fee, tea, salt, sugar, coats. hats, blankets.
shoes. shirts, and every article Of comfort,
decency, or necessity, which they eat,
drink or wear. or on which they stand,
sit, sleep. OF lie %
And yet. with no professed object in
view but TO plunder the national treasury
of this contemplate pittsnce. and then to
supply that deficiency thus created by a
new tax upon consumption, has bold
and defiant iseue been joined this spring
with the democratic party; the opposi-
tiOn press Of this State everywhere glitter.
ing in steel and calling to arms conven.
tons summoned to bring forth candidates
for Congress and for the general assem-.
bly, and even some well meaning and
most excellent democrats seduced from
their allegiance to confederate with
the bitter and Incorporating enemies Of
their party and principles.
TARIFF OF 1857.
The time selected for the revival Of the
distribution policy is not less remarkable
than the policy itself. When it was ur-
ged upon the consideration of Congress
between 1888 and 1841, there was then
this palliaIion for it. to wit. that the tariff
was then regulated by formal compact
for period Of nine gears. and under which
compact there would necessarily be a sur
plus in The treasury resulting from duties
on imports. But now it is sought 10 be
revived upon the heel of the legislation ol
the last Congress reducing the receipts
from customs below the revenue standard
of the government. The average ezpen-