The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-03


have len behind, II Is not possible that
those who know Of tho fertile prairies md
woodlands Of Minnesota, will remain among
the rocks OF New England. or cling to tho
barren and exhausted pine plains and worn
out hillsides Of the Atlantic and middle
States. We do not wonder that some of
our eastern friends arc opposed TO the pre-.
emp,iou policy and small farms, for II would
take nearly township Of such land rs they
have In their States. TO afford comfortable
living TO man with large family. But,
In all seriousness and csndor. you should
help us 10 preserve the public lands, because
il Is the patrimony Of tho East Us well ms Of
the West. We desire that the lands shall
not go into the hands Of non presidents, be-
cause that would prevent tho progress, do
velcpment. and growth OF our State. You
should not desire II 10 so into their hands,
because You thereby deprive your children
Of the inheritance that should DO theirs.
True, | am In favor OF q homestead bill
am In favor Of any bill that gives land 10
every man who desires Il. lm nm, sir, most
heartily and dcvotedly In favor Of o home
stead BILL ldesiro 10 zee law passed that
shall give to each head Of family. aiter five
years residence thereon. free OF cost, one
hundred and sixty acres Of tho public lands,
II Ia but u just reward To those hardy pio-
necrs, who boldly 20 10 the western frontier
and build up these States, which proclaim
the greatness and expansive strength Of our
free institutions. Sir, II was not the policy
Of the founders Of this Government 10 make
profit out OF our lands; mud, in these later
days. trust we shall not adopt that most
opposite policy ofnot only selling them, but al.
fordng an or portLDi,y by which the wealthy
are enabled TO speculate upon the necessities
OF the poor. Bat. II We cannot get that, let
us get the next best thing
The prc'cmptor who goes out 10 feck a
home IL willing to pay his 81 20, or 81 30
an acre, II the Government has provided
him with railroad, for the land on which
he settles, and the Government q. ould cheer.
fully allow him 10 have II on there ,crms.
The extingushment OF the lndiun title to
these lands, has only cost the Government,
on an average. eight aud hall cents M
acre. Why, then, should the Government
be unwilling 10 givea preference 70 the
settler and why should II care whether
their money IL paid today or tomorrow,
tbis year or next year, Should the little
matter Of time affect this question: No;
there Is higher consideration consider.
alton above dollars and cents--and that IL.
tho interest Of the people Of the country.
that their children should have homes. The
man who ab0rs for another and on anothcrs
farm. should himself aspire 10 be a free.
holder for hc who tils his own land, and
who owes allegiance IN himself alone and
bis country is really tree. We desire TO
have our western States built up by such
irecmen, and we ask Congress not 10 adopt
policy which would thwat that aim.
The amendment 10 this bill, to which The
gentleman from New York Mr.. Taylor
has alluded, and which provides that the
land shall not be brought into market IN.
der the Presidents proclamation for ten
years, Is proposition 10 which ] most
heartily concur II 10 in accordance with
the spirit Of our institutions II 10 one
which ! trust--if this bill shall ever come
up again will receive the authoritative
sanction OF tho House, aud become law.
The opposition Of the gentleman from
New York IL based on tie idea that this
amendment will deprive the public Treasury
Of money but ] will say ibis 10 tho gen.
,lemaD : there arc, at this moment, eleven
million four hundred aud ninety thousand
acres Of INDICATED land warrants ailont In
this country and does the gentleman sup.
pose that the public lands will be paid for
with money a, the rate Of ~ Is per acre,
when they can be IN we'll be paid ior with
lard warrants, which are selling at from
seventy FIVE TO eighty five cents per acrcl
Mr. TAYLOR, Of New York. nsk the
gentleman from Minnesota whether Vi, 200
900 has not been received from the sales Of
public lands during the last focal Year,
Mr. PnELps, Of Minnesota. | will state
10 the gentleman that large proportion u
the money received into the public treasury
from the sale Of Government lands has been
paid Tor graduated lands, for which Il would
no, pay 10 buy land warrants. But IN my
State, and In every State where land Ia sold
at 81 % al acre. the inyariablc custom IL
,o locate the lands with land warrants. for il
is economy 10 do 20. ] would cay 10 the
gentleman still further. that the amendment
upon which be bases his opposition TO the
bill will ONLY apply TO "A lev Of the States
and Territories. u is practically but II
small portion OF the uDsold land 81 the Gov
crnment that falls within the operation Of
this amendment, and TINT, sir. 10 the State
that demand this protection upon the high.
est and most patriotic copsiiefntion,. 1,
,sDds 10 protect the labor and enterprise q
first settlers
Mr. TAYLOr, of New York ! wish 10
correct the gentleman In ore remark u his
lie speaks u my "opposition " D. ID" bill.
object 10 that. ] am not opposed 10 the
bill ! supported !. throughout, until tina,
amendment was offered. which did not con
vince my judgment. then voted sgsins
the bill. sod TO isy II on the table. Ny OBJ
ice, now in interrupting the gentleman
which teg his pardon-is 10 'stisiy my
mind about the corrcctbess Of that amend
men,. no that, II can DO 60. may give my
support " the bill.
Mr.. Pnurs. Of Minnesota. would say.