Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-06-27


The veto Of the Homestead bill by Presi-
dent Buchanan, makes The following points
Aher reviewing the general provisions Of
the bill as passed, the President says that the
small sum asked for lands per acre, 25 cents,
and credit for Eve years, Is equal almost to a
donation, and be therefore contends that Con-
gress has no power TO give away the public
lands 70 States or individuals This opinion
be expressed in the veto Of the Agricultural
College bill, and the argument he used there
applied with greater force 10 this case
There was more Of consideration in the form
er case, but owing 70 the late hour Of the
session be will not review those views. Il
must be admitted, as general proposition,
that Congress does not possess the power to
donate money to States or individuals, and
this would be the case in giving sway the
means Of the public revenue. The advocates
Of this bill supported it under that clause Of
the Constitution which says that Congress
shall have power to dispose Of the public
lands; but be did not read those words to
mean giving away Aside from the consd-
tutional objections the bill was unjust to
old soldiers who held military bounty
lands, as it greatly reduced their val
ne, and il was unjust to the old soldiers
Of the Union. Il opened q large Geld for
injurious speculation; made an un-
just discrimination between Americans and
foreigners, by prohibiting the former, if sim
gle, from having the benefit Of the bill, while
the foreigner, without being the head of
family, Is given those privileges. The bill
drew partial distinctions between pre-emptors,
and seriously affected the revenue derived
nom the public lands.
When the veto message had been read, Mr..
Wade desired to vote on the vetoed bill with
out debate. Mr.. johnson, of Arkansas,
moved to postpone the veto till December
next. Not agreed to, yeas ls, nays 26. Mr..
johnson, of Tenn, addressed the Senate at
length in opposition to the veto, reading from
the Presidents Inaugural Address, saying
that he now vetoed what he had once ap-
proved. Mr.. johnson, who is Democrat,
charged the President with inconsistency
Mr. Pugh said the view of the President on
the fifth section Of the bill was a mere quib-
BILE The section declined to place each for
eigner on the same footing as a native born
citizen, and therefore the former must have
a family before he can settle on the public
lands under the Homestead bill. After some
further debate, the question was put that the
bill pass, the objections of the President not
withstanding, and it was not passed, two
thirds not voting therefor, as follows;
YEAS-Msasrs. Anthony, Brown, Chandler, Clark
Deolittle Durkee, Feseenden Fitch, EOote, Foster
Gwin, Hale, Haullin, Harlan, King, Lane, Latham,
Nicholson, Polk, Pughi Rice, simmons sumner
Ten Eyek, Trumbull, Wade, Wilkinson, Wilson'S
Davis Fitzpatrick, Green, Hemphill, Hunter, Iver-
son, johnson CTenn.,l johnson (Ark.,l Mallory, Ma
son, Pearce, Powell, sebastisni WigfAl, tulee-ls.
There were several pairs, and Mr.. johnson
of Tenn, voted under mistake for the pur-
pose of moving reconsideration.
1t will be seen that all the Republican Sen
atOrs present, three Southern and five North
ern Democrats, voted against the veto, and
eighteen Southern Senators sustained it,
though there were but two negative votes
when the bill passed. 1t lacked but two
votes of passing over the veto in the Sem
ate, and it is stated that the House had a
plump two-thirds ready if it had reached that
body. The Senate SlaveOcrats took good
care TO cut of the House from the luxury OF
any such demonstration for Free Labor and
Homes for the Homeless.