The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-03
pRE. EMPTION OF THE PUBLIC LANDS.
SPEECH or TIE
Hon. w. w. Phelps,
or nisrEsors.
delivered in the House Of Representatives.
January goth, on q proposition to amend
the Pre- Emption Laws.

Mr. PHELPS, Of Minnesota. Mr.. Chair
man. desire 10 call the attention OF the
committee for few minutes to the bill
which was pending In the House today. !
regard the bill as one Of vital importance
10 the people Of Minnesota, and the land
States and Territories OF the West and as
such should demand more OF the considera.
ton of this House than fear il will receive.
II is too much the habit Of Representatives
on this floor to underrate and overlook the
growing importance Of the i" Mi hty West
They seem TO TO regard our public lands as
the legitimate subject for private specula.
ton, forgetting that the present prodigal
system Of disposing Of them indicates mar
row and sclf.h craftsmanship, taxing poe
terity with burdens grieyous 10 he borne.
Obiyious TO It's fatal consequences, we have
adopted a policy by which VIC are squander
ing the patrimony of the American citizen
by wasting the wealth Of the country 10 alb
sorb the fertile public lands OF the West,
and thus compelling the poor. who shall
seek homes and independence in the new
States, TO pay tribute TO the grinding exac-
tons Of the wealthy land-holder making the
rich richer and the poor poorer, and specu-
la,ing upon the producing labor Of the
country.
II is true that the bill, In i,s present
shape, il not Just such one as would De
sire. would have preferred 70 zee the bill
modified 10 some Of lis provisions aud, had
further amendments been in order, should
have endeayored 50 10 amend il that the
time allowed TO the precmptor in which %
pay for bis land should be extended from
one 20 two, three, or even five years. Tba,
notification, il seems 10 me, would meet the
wants OF the mass Of those enterprising set
tier. who seek 20 better their fortunes by
emigra,irg 10 the West The bill, however,
in the MAN. is correct, and dos 10, mate.
rally vary existing laws. |. enacts them 10
a code. a. il were, 80 that all may know
what the laws are which govern the pre-
emption system, remedying some Of ito prom.
irent practical defects.
The first provision 10 which have al
ready alluded, and which would desire to
modify. ia that which requires the pre.emp
tor to pay for hi. land within one year.
This provision, however, connected as j;
was with another, subs, qaen'ly ADDED by
the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr..
Grow makes the bill more satsfaciory,
bscanse il will protect 10 the actual Stt!er
tie and yet gnsold in oar rev s,a,es and
Territories.
TIE second section Of the bill u which Oh
lection va. made, ia one which provides
that h. lards resrvtd by the Goycrnmeut
Of the United -:sics On account Of railroad
grants shall also be subject 20 the pre- emp
tioo system. To ths particular ssction ID
ection was made, ior the reason that IL
would enable spectators % occupy and pre-
emp, the lAuds thus rssarysd ~ the Govern
men'. Tbs i. the clss, d spectators We
.ani a! The West men sho pre-emp, ar.
YER legEl rss,dsuee tbsreon, ,ae pqo.ie DO