Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-11-01
LANDS FOR THE LANDLESS.

=
10 exhibit the record of the votes anil
proceedings in both branches of Con-
gre-s. during the session which term
mated nn the 8 oi Mach. 1859. up
on the disposition OF the public domain
OF the United States.
The official report of rhesevotcs snl
pro- ceilings III the Congressional Globe
will lie referred to by the pages of
that work. 20 that the reader who
chooses to do so may verify the ac-
curacy OF the quotaii, ns made.
NJ subject can be more important
than that OF the disposition OF our
public lands. lnextent. they embrace
one thousand millions of acres. and
the manner of their disposition affects
the social condition OF the people OF
he old States as well az oil
the New States.
a great qurs ion long existing in
respect to these lands has at last as
suned definite form. and has become
touch>tone oi parties. That que,.
rion is, whether. the public domain
shall lie open 10 monopoly by speru-
lators, leading inevitably to lande
sri>tocracy. or whether it >hall lie re-
served for actual occupants. in sma |
quantities, at nominal price. or with
cut price.
This question has always existed.
but it is only recently that it has a.
>umed practical form. by being
taken up by great national party.
Until recently. the conntry was
divided into two national parties,
both of which were either controlled
ar modified in their action by the slave
| holding interest OF the South. From
the nature of the case. that in crest l.
opposed to pre-emplion laws and
homestead laws. because Slavery can
not exist at the same time with sys-
tenn OF small freeholds II our new
Sta'cs are occupied in quarter sec
lions, they will be occupied by farmers
and not held by spectators or great
planters.
Thus. then. until tie recent r'or-
gan zation OF the Jetse sonian R'pub
lican party. there was M nation Il
party which was in q condition to
take mp this question, because. until
the reorganization Of this party. there
WAS none which WAS not infinenr or
controlled by an interest adverse to
pre- -emption and homesteals.
On the Goth of january. (page.
492. bill relating to pre-empiions.
reported from the Committee on pub
lie Lands. was pending before the
House The bill proposed to make
some changes in the details "f exist
ing pre- emption laws, but without a..
ierring the substance of the present
system of di>po>ing of the pnhlic
lanlS 1t was, however, in Pa liza
menrary or'ler TO propose To amenl
the bill. 20 as IN change the pre-enf
system. and to bring tho House to a
direct vote upon such propositions.
The friends of such changes were
prompt to avail them selves of this
alvsn age.
| Mr.. Grow. Of Pennsylvania. novel
to amend the bill by aiding the fol
leuing a an additional section:
Be IL further enacted, That from
AMI alter the passage of this act. no
public and shall be exposed to sale
hy proclamation Of the President.
unless the same shall nave been
surveyed. and the return of such
survey duly filed in the Land Office.
Tor ten years or more before such
sale
| 1t was impossible to assail this
amendment OF Nr. Grow as being out
of order. 1t was strictly germa' n ia
the pending bill. and unless the pill
it,cli could be got i'd of by some side
hlow. direct vote upon the amend
ment was inevitable. The slavehold.
aristocrscy. who are bold enough
when it il necessary TO bs bold. hut
Who srs crafty. ss we'll as bold.
forthwith resnted 10 Psrliamen' AIRY
tactics TO avoid a direct is,ue upon
Mr. Grows proposition.
The fiIsi movement wa q motion
to refer the bill snd amendment to the
Committee of the Whole. familiarl,
and apply styled the tomb of the
Capule,s." Ii that reference had been
carried. the bill would never have
been heard afterwards.
| The vote upon the motion to refer
tho bill TO the Committee of the
Whole was a. follows-tho Dem.
ocrs,s in roman. the Republicans in
ii:lices. and the South Americans iu
small capitals.
YIAs, 80.
J New Hampshire .... ................
Vermont. ...........--....
Massachusetts
, Connecticut Arnold. Bishop. .......
Rhode Island. ...--. ......--...
New-York-BarrosShs. Maclay Russell.
latlor ........... ..............
4 New-Jersey-W Wortendyke-
pennsylvania-Ahl, Chapmsn, Dewart,
Montgomery. Morris. Richie. White.
|. Dtlaware. .'...............
MsrylAnd-H-Ens. RIcAup.
virgin's-Bocock, Caskie. Edmundson,
Faulkner, Garnstt. Millson, POWELL.
North Carolina-Craige. Rufin, Scales.
Winslow ........ ...................
: South Cxroline-B0yce, Branch, Keitt.