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one-Ihird of the Senate, and over one-sixth Of tn


House Of Representatives Of the United States.


Thus has been formed body Of free and indie


pendent landholders, with a rapidty unequalled II
the history Of mankind; and this great result ha


been produced without leaving ANYTHING for futuT'
adjustment between the government and its citizens


"The system under which so much has been se'
eomplished, cannot be ntTinsieally bad, and, with
occasional notifications, 10 correct abuses ana
adapt II 10 changes Of circumstances, may, thlnk
be safely trusted for the future. There Is, IN the
management Of such extensive interests, mueh vir-
tue in stability and although great and obvious Inn
provemenis should not be declined, changes should
never be made without the fullest examination, and
the clearest demonstration Of their practical utility.
In the history Of the past, we have assurance
thai this safe rule Of action will not be departed
from in relation 10 the public lands; nor is believed
that any necessity exists for interfering with the
Fundamental principles OF the system, or that the
public mind even IN the new States, is desirous OF
any radical alterations. On the contrary, the gen
eFs disposition appears 10 be to make such modih-
cations and additions only will more effeetuslly
carry out the original policy Of filing our new
States and Territories with an industrious and in
dependent population.


"Ths modification most perseyeringly pressed
upon Congress, which has occupied so much Of its
time Tor years past and will probably do 30 for a
long unse 10 come, II not sooner satisfactorily ad


lsted Is a reduction in the cost Of such portions
OF the public lands are asCertained TO be unsafe
abe al the rate no established by law, and a grad.
uIion. according to their relative vaue, Of the
pness al which they may hereafter be sold. Il is
worthy Of consideration whether justice may not be
done 10 every interest in this matter, and yexed
question set at rest, perhaps forever, by reason,
able compounds Of conflicting opinions Hitherto,
AflSr being offered at public sale, lands have been
disposed Of at one uniform price, whatever differ.
snee there might be In their intrinsic value.


The leading considerations urged in favor Of the
referred 10 are that in almost all the land
districts, and particularly in those in which the lands
have been long surveyed and exposed 10 sale, there
arc sull remaining numerous and large tracts Of
every gradation Of value, from the government
price downward; that these lands will not be pur-
chased al the government price, so long as better
can be conveniently obtained for the same amount
that there large tracts which even the improve
msnts Of the adjacent lands will never raise 10 that
price, and that the present uniform pree, combined
with their irregular value, operates TO prevent de-
Elnble compactness OF settlement IN the new States
and 10 retSrd the full development OF that wise poll
cy on which our land system is founded TO the in
jury not only Of the several States where the andG
lie, but the United States as whole"


The principles contended for by the friends Of
graduation are here ably ana clearly stated. To meet
the objections urged against the length of time that
land had been in the market, regulating its price, Nj
Van Buren makes the suggestion that it may be ap.
praised and sold by the appraisal. He expresses no
particular anxiety concerning the mode Of arriving
at the object, but urges that an end so desirable
should, if possible, be speedily attained He again
refers to this subject in 1882 and says "The pas
sage Of graduation law, with the guards before
recommended, would also, am persuaded, add con-
adaby 10 he rsrsnus for 'suerdI years, and prOr. in
OLhU respects, Just and beneficial"
We conclude with an extract from the message of
President Polk on this subject, in which he con.
firms most Of the views Of those eminent men whose
opinions we have quoted:
Under our present land system, limiting the
minimum price at which the public lands can be en-
tered to one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre
large quantities Of lands Of inferior quality remain
unsold, berause they will not command that price
From the records Of the General Land Office, il ap-
pears that of the public lands remaining unsold in
the several States and Territories in which they are
situated thirty-nine millions hundred and FIVE |
thousand five hundred and seventy-seven acres have
been in the market, subject 10 entry more than |
twenty years. forty-nin millions six hundred and
thirty-eght thousand six hundred and forty y-four
acres for than fifteen years; seventythree mil
lions seventy -four thousand and six hundred acres
for more than ten years; and one hundred and six
millions hundred and seventysix thousand nine
hundred and sixy-one acres for more than FIVE
years. Much the largest portion Of these lands will
continue to be unsaleable at the minimum price at
which they permitted to be sold, so long as
large territories Of lands from which the more val
liable portions have not been selected, are annually
brought into market by the government With
the view to the sale and settlement Of these inferior
lands, recommend that the price be graduated and
reduced below the present minimum rate, confnng
the sales at the reduced prices to settlers and culti
valors, in limited quantities. IL graduated and
duced in price for limited term to one dollar per
acre, and after the expiration of that period for
second and third term to lower rates, large por-
lion of these lands would be purchased and mary
worthy citizens who are unable to pay higher rates.
could purchase homes for themselves and their fam
ilies. BY adopting the policy Of graduation and
reduction of price, these inferior lands will be sold
or their real value, while the States in which they
lhwill be freed from the Inconvenience, if not in
las'ce to which they subjected in consequence of
me United States continuing to own large quant-
ties ofpublic lands within their borders, not liable to
ments


u RECOMMEND the continuance Of the policy of
granting preNmptions in its most liberal extent to
all nose who hsye settled may hereafter settle,
on the public leads. whether surveyed or unsur-
veyed 10 which the Indian title may have been ex-
uhgushed at the time of settlement. 1t has been
iound oy experience tha. in consequence of comb-



quantity OF the public lands, when sold at public
auction, commands higher price than the min
imum rate established by law. The settlers on the
public lands are, however but rarely able to secure
their homes and improvements at the public sales at
that rate because these combinations Sy means of the
capital they command, and their superior ability to
purchase, render it impossible for the settler to COM
pete with them in the market BY putting down all
competition, these combinations of capitalists and
ssPecuators are usually enabled to purchase the
lands, including the improvements of the settlers, at
the minimum price of the government, and either
turn them out Of their homes, extort from them,
according 10 their ability to pay, double quadru
pie the amount paid for them to the government. 1t
Is 10 the enterprise and perseverance Of the hardy
pioneers Of the West. who penetrate the wilderness
with their families, suffer the dangers the priva-
tons, and hardships attending the settlement Of
new country, and prepare the way for the body OF
emgrants who, in the course Of a few years, usual
ly follow them, that we are, in great degree, IN
debted for the rapid extension and aggrandizement
ofour country"


1t is unnecessary for us attempt to add any new
Arguments, or any new force to views thus clearly
presented n would be as idle M an attennt tn add