History, 1838–1856, volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 40
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<​May 17​> for his support.
‘Respectfully, sir, this communication and authority usward is forwarded you as your voucher at said convention, with our hearty prayers for the success of him whose special name is given in the important affair.
Henry B. Jacobs, Agent for the friends of Gen. J. Smith, whom he those people represent.
’s letter to General Joseph Smith was then read by , and also General Joseph Smith’s rejoinder, which was applauded by three cheers.
“It was moved and seconded that the following gentlemen be appointed a committee to draft resolutions for the adoption of this convention:
“Dr., , , , and .
“It was moved and seconded that the correspondence of the central committee for government reform of be read by , also General Joseph Smith’s answer to the same.
, April 20th., 1844
‘Joseph Smith, Esqr,
Sir;— The subscribers, the Central Committee of the National Reform Association, in accordance with a duty prescribed by their constitution, respectfully solicit an expression of your views as a candidate for public office, on a subject that, as they think, vitally affects the rights and interests of their constituents.
‘We see this singular condition of affairs, that while wealth in our country is rapidly accumulating; while internal improvements of every description are fast increasing, and while machinery has multiplied the power of production to an immense extent, yet, with all these national advantages, the compensation for useful labor is getting less and less.
‘We seek the cause of this anomaly, and we trace it to the monopoly of the land, which places labor at the mercy of capital. We therefore desire to abolish the monopoly, not by interfering with the conventional rights of persons now in possession of the land, but by arresting the further sale of all lands not yet appropriated as private property, and by allowing these lands hereafter to be freely occupied by those who may choose to settle on them.
‘We propose that the Public lands hereafter shall not be owned, but occupied only, the occupant having the right to sell or otherwise dispose of improvements to any one not in possession of other land; so that by preventing any individual from becoming possessed of more than a limited quantity, every one may enjoy the right.
‘This measure, we think, would gradually establish an equilibrium [HC 6:387] between the agricultural and other useful occupations, that would ensure to all full employment and fair compensation for their labor, on the lands now held as private property, and to each individual on the public lands the right to work for himself on his own premises, or for another, at his option.
‘An answer, as soon as convenient, will much oblige
Your fellow citizens,
John Windt, Lewis Masquerier,
Egbert S. Manning, Daniel Witter,
James Maxwell, George H. Evans,
Ellis Smalley.’
[p. 40]
May 17 for his support.
‘Respectfully, sir, this communication and authority usward is forwarded you as your voucher at said convention, with our hearty prayers for the success of him whose special name is given in the important affair.
Henry B. Jacobs, Agent for the friends of Gen. J. Smith, ’
’s letter to General Joseph Smith was then read by , and also General Joseph Smith’s rejoinder, which was applauded by three cheers.
“It was moved and seconded that the following gentlemen be appointed a committee to draft resolutions for the adoption of this convention:
“Dr., , , , and .
“It was moved and seconded that the correspondence of the central committee for government reform of be read by , also General Joseph Smith’s answer to the same.
, April 20th., 1844
‘Joseph Smith, Esqr,
Sir;— The subscribers, the Central Committee of the National Reform Association, in accordance with a duty prescribed by their constitution, respectfully solicit an expression of your views as a candidate for public office, on a subject that, as they think, vitally affects the rights and interests of their constituents.
‘We see this singular condition of affairs, that while wealth in our country is rapidly accumulating; while internal improvements of every description are fast increasing, and while machinery has multiplied the power of production to an immense extent, yet, with all these national advantages, the compensation for useful labor is getting less and less.
‘We seek the cause of this anomaly, and we trace it to the monopoly of the land, which places labor at the mercy of capital. We therefore desire to abolish the monopoly, not by interfering with the conventional rights of persons now in possession of the land, but by arresting the further sale of all lands not yet appropriated as private property, and by allowing these lands hereafter to be freely occupied by those who may choose to settle on them.
‘We propose that the Public lands hereafter shall not be owned, but occupied only, the occupant having the right to sell or otherwise dispose of improvements to any one not in possession of other land; so that by preventing any individual from becoming possessed of more than a limited quantity, every one may enjoy the right.
‘This measure, we think, would gradually establish an equilibrium [HC 6:387] between the agricultural and other useful occupations, that would ensure to all full employment and fair compensation for their labor, on the lands now held as private property, and to each individual on the public lands the right to work for himself on his own premises, or for another, at his option.
‘An answer, as soon as convenient, will much oblige
Your fellow citizens,
John Windt, Lewis Masquerier,
Egbert S. Manning, Daniel Witter,
James Maxwell, George H. Evans,
Ellis Smalley.’
[p. 40]
Page 40