The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-08-22
p,ca,iux lanaii.anGs.

tees, in regard to leasing the canal lands aud lots
and, dccming il possible that there might b
arguments in favor of The measure of which W
had no knowledge, with view of eliciling them
we invited discussion Of the measure. Nothing
however has been brooght out by this invitation
but simple affirmation or the pant Of .he JOIe
Signal that the measure is wise and josi, and thl
appears to be considered all that need DC sid o.
the subject. Now, the settlers conscien'loosl.
believe that this order is not either wise or jusl
and, viewing it in this light, we believe are de
tcrmineI to resist its being carried iito elect
and il il due to the trustees that they should b
radc acquainted wah this fact, as well as tn
ground upon which they place their opposition
to the measure.
1t was anticipated by most Of our citizens
should the bondholjers accept the propositions
made in the acts of The legislature for the con-
pletion of the canal, that The policy heretofore
pursued by the state relative 10 The canal loads
and lots would be observed and carried out by
tho trustees. There is nothing in these acts
which would seem to indicate an inention on the
part of the legislature chat different line OF pc.
Icy should be adopted in future.
Tho order in question has excited such a warm
feeling of opposition from The well known i'c'
that the canal commissioners never exercised cay
such power, and that there was no law au'ho' u
ing them TO do SO. Indeed, it is conceived 10 be
incompatible with ,hc sp,i. of DOR ids,';u,ions
that the manner of holding lands should lie ,uus
and an absolute IDLE glveo 10 the purchaser, ser
vices or renis should be esocted from .he occu-
pants aud tillers Of mo lanj, and, upon ccdap
contingencies, the land itself SHOULD revert 10 the
state. Such seryitude carnot exist ia this stale,
AMI proposition to impose upon Any portion Of
our citizens SO scrvile tenure woulJ be received
with contempt. We are not yet prepared 10 sink
into that system of yassaIage which prevails IN
those countries where The people ase presumed
not to be capable Of understanding and protecting
their own rights.
A large number OF individuals have settled OPP
ON lots and lands belonging 10 The state. PEI
haps, according 10 The principles OF The common
law, they have no rights winch would be COAST
dercd valuable. If so, such notion has lo1g
since become obsolete in this Stale, and improve
'ments made upon public lands are now regarded
and defended US sacreJIy as Any species Of pro-
perry. Any person occupying canel lard under
permit, has right TO remain uPoi II o. 10 coh-
10 .Ii,v,f, Il .ho e,iI tanI ia
advertised for sale by Inc state, free from any
charge or rent, and 10 psc CO.. fuel timber aud
wood lying upon ;he grouhd. SeSs. La,cs, 1887.
And by an act passed in 1886, all persons who
make improvements upon lots authorized 10 be
sold, shall be permitted to remove such improve
men's a, any time before the doy fixed for ,be
sale Of any such improved lots, being responsible
for all unnecessary damage done or suffered
by such removal. Since the passage of these sta
tutes, large and valuable improvements rave been
made upon canal lands aud lots, without dopbt
being entertained by the persons making them
but that they would be protected in the enjoy
ment Of them until the Time shou Id arrive for thee
sale. It would be n pal pablo violation Of good
faith at the present time to require rent for the
Improvements which have thus been made, or in
case Of refusal, neglect, or inability to pay, TO
eject the persons whose money and labor has been
expended in tho making Of them, even if they
could be elected by tho technical rules of law.
BY placing the canal lands and lots in the hands
of trustees, the legislature never intended at one
grand sweep TO strip of the homes and means OF
support Of those individuals who have located
upon them. Such power, it is conceived has
not been granted. Gy the act Of Feb. 81 1913,
the powers and duties of the trustees are parti-
cular)y specified, and are as follows:
SEC. 8. The said board of trustees of the ILL.,
nols and Michigan canal, when duly appointed
and elected as aforesaid, shall apporlipn their re-
spectlve duties among themselves, aud 50 far as
is not Incompatible with this act, shall possess
oil the powers and perform all the duties con fer
red upon the board Of COMM ssioners Of the Hi
nois and Michigan canal by the act entitled "ap
act foI the construction OF the Illinois aud Mich-
gan canal approved January ninth, eighicep
hundred and thiriy-siS, and the acts supplement
tary and amendatory thereto, and shalt take an
oath or affirmation, and give bonds with security
for the faithful discharge of the duties imposed
upon them by this act.
Aware Of tho danger Of con1ding to the hcods
OF individuals an interest SO extensive, tbe leg
lature wisely provided that one of the trustees
should be appointed by the state. 80 thus office
the occupants Of canal lands and lots look for
protection in their just and lawful rights, and the
people generally that no powers shall bo assun,.
cd Inconsistent with the laws creating the trust.
GrTbe fall term Of tho Courts in this Cir.
cult commences on Monday next, at Yorkvillc
Kendall Go.
The "Mojor Figg' story, started by the whil
papers TO rob Col. Johnson Of the honor Of being
tho Tecumseh kilIor ia Tins chit off" by the New