The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-09
The Public Lands.


of land by the States to the general government.
The first cession was made by the State of New
York, and the largest which in area exceeded
all the others, by the State Of Virginia. The
territory, the propietorship of which became
thus vested in the general government, extended
from the western line OF Pennsylvania to the
Mississippi river. These patriotic donations of
the States we're incumbered with no condition.
except that they should be held and used ''for
the common benefit of the United States"
By purchase with the common fund of all the
people, additions made to this domain
until it extended to the northern line of Mexico
the Pacific ocean and the Polar sea. The orig
inal trust ''for the common benefit of the
United States" attached to all. In the execu-
ton of that trust the policy of many homes,
rather than large estates, was adopted by the
government. That these might be easily OBJ
tanned, and be the abode of security and con-
teutment, the laws for their acquisition were
few, easily understood, and general in their
character. But the pressure of local interests,
combined with speculative spirit, have, in
many instances procured the passage of laws
which marred the harmony of the general
plan and encountered the system with
multitude of general and special enactments,
which render the land laws complicated, subject
the titles to uncertainty and the purchasers often
to oppression and wrong. Laws which were in
tended for the common benefit have been per-
verified, so that large quantities of land are vest
ing in single ownerships From the multitude
and character of the laws this consequence seems
incapable of correction by mere administration.
1t is not for the common benefit of tho United
States that large area of the pub
lie lands should DO acquired, directly
or through fraud, in the hands of single indi-
vidual The Nations strength is in the people.
The Nations prosperity is in their prosperity.
The Nations glory is in the equality of her jus
tice. The Nations perpetuity is in the patriot
ism of all her people. Hence as far as practicable.
the plan adopted in disposal of public lands
should have in view the original policy, which
encouraged many purchasers of these lands for
homes and discouraged the massing of large
areas. Exclusive of Alaska, about three-ffths
of the national domain has been sold or subjected
to contract or grant. Of the remaining two
ffths, a considerable portion is either
mountain or desert. A rapidly-increasing
population creates a growing demand for homes,
and the accumulation of wealth inspires
eager competition to obtain the public lands for
speculative purposes. In the future this COLI
sion of interests will be more marked than in the
past, and the execution of the Nations trust in
behalf Of our settlers will be more difficult
therefore commend to your attention recon-
mendations contained in the report of the Secre
tary of the Interior with reference to the repeal
and modification OF certain of our land laws.
The Nation has made princely grants and subsi
dies to system of railroads projected as great
national highways to connect the Pacific States
with the East. 1t has been charged
that these donations from the people
have been diverted to private gain and cor
rupt uses, and thus public indignation
has been aroused and suspicion engendered. Our
great Nation does not begrudge its generosity,
but it abhors peculation and fraud, and the ia
vorable regard OF our people for the great cor
porations to which these grants were made can
only be revived by restoration of confidence,
to be secured by their constant. uneouivocal and
clearly manifested integrity. A faithful applica-
ton of the undiminished proceeds of the grants
to the construction and perfection of their roads,
an honest discharge of their obligations, and en-
tire justice to all the people in the enjoyment of
their rights on these highways of travel is all the
public asks and it will be content with no less.
To secure these things should be the common
purpose of the officers of the government as well
as of the corporations. With this accomplished
prosperity would be permanently secured to the
roads, and national pride would take the place
of national complaint.