Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-01-19

main OBJECT oil investigation III cohntctioI
with the subject is the manner and means %
accomplishing it. The right OF the geners
government to establish a system OF this kind
or to collect money and distribute it among
the states for such an object being denied its
mower TO donate lands for any useful purpose
IN The states wherein it lies. has never been
seriously questioned, and be maintaineti
upon national principles. New states are ats
mitted into the Union upon IN equal footing
with the original states. but no such equality
can exist until the states possess as wei
the ultimate right OF soil OF Jurisdiction
and the right also to tax the whole domain
within her limits. As some equivalent fos
this inequality, it is but right that the general
government should surrender a portion OF
her domain to the states in which it may lie,
TO be appropriated to beniicent purposes.
| therefore suggest that this subject BE-
presented to Congress by the egislature, and
that it be asked TO graz to the state such
quantity CT land within its limits. either Blter-
nate sections or otherwise rs Will be sufficient
TO construct our most impOr' works of ms
ternal communication. Such grants can Es
made with much propriety in the unsettlea
parts of the state in the north where settle
nents will not be interfered with. The COTS
struction of railroads, connecting the waters
of the ST. Croix river with those OF Lake Sps
on the Mississippi near the mouth Of BlaCk
river, through the Wisconsin pineFy througE
TO Green Bay, has been suggested as feast
BILE and we'll worthy of tile hbeIBljty If Com
gress. Among the most important works
of the kind, requiring attention, is the con
struction of such road south to the Wiscon-
sin and Fox rivers, connecting Lake MchE
gan with the Mississippi These and the
subject in general is commended to your no.
tice. If we do not ask we shall not receive.
The present manner OF disposing Of the
national domain in unlimited quantities has
become striking evil. In many parts of our
state, individuals, and some are not even citf-
zans or residents of the United States, have
purchased large quantities of the best lands,
and the settlement of the country has been
thereby greatly retarded. Settlers have been
compelled 10 pay an lvanced price for their
homes. aud 10 increase by their labor the
value of the wild lands of noi:-residenis, wills
oat any corresponding benefit to the hoider5.
and the Investment in many cases IS unprofE
table. To show fhe extent to which tlIS
monopoly of the public domain reaches, /
would state that in one county d single ind(-
vidual, who IS not even r. sdent of the Unit
on, holds upwards OF 2n.0OO acres entered in
the early settlement Of the state. Such mo-
nopolies are truly great evils and inducements
free governments tn create them. 7 he pro
priety Of representing this subject to Congress
aud Of urging it 10 restrict the sposiiiou sc
tha public lands to actua settlers and IN linz
tel quantities., is respectfully recommends
Tor your action.
The amicablc relations which were intaF
rupted between our government and IN adj5s
cent republic. has been restored, and we may
ROW congratulate our common country tlsIl
we are at pence with All the world - Whi3a
we rejoice over the happy condition of orr
foreign intercourse, the exciting domestic
question that has grown out Of the acquisitio3l
of territory in the treaty with Mexico should
not be overl ,oked. and should be approached
in sp' i Of harmony and compromise
The sen nenfs of the legislature &c this state
were expressed on the QUESTION Of the exteI-
-ion of slavery over the recently acquired tes-
ritorv, Mt its last session. in resolutions ia
structing representatives in both housss
uf Congress TO act against such eXteuiiOn.-.-
Il Is believed that these sentiments CORES pOTyd
with the views of the great body of the pf5
pie, and all constitutional means 81 all be used
40 restrict tine further PR ess uf this great
social and political evil. Exciting and thre&i-
en- rs this question is in many portions Of
the Union. | believe that that patriotic spa
II of the people. which has at Il TINES prog
ell itself equll to any emergency, whether srf
n foreign or domestic character, will diSlsl /;
the darkness thrown over our polti a ho.i !.
ION, aud show the Union still united aad IN
deviSibe
The growing. greatness Of our whole cou.-
try is becoming more apparent, and IT'S ene:r-
gy and enterprise more manifest. and the st
Is be- inc rapidly illustrated that it IS in trr:h
the mo lei republic. The facilities wish
which information can be transmitted hnse
Increased almost incredibly. Already lheSa-
Iectric wires of intelligence have, by The en.r. I
gy and enterprise of our people, reached t:le
capitol OF Wisconsin. To those whose en-
ergy has accomplished this result the libesal
patronage of "A generous public should be ex-
tended.
Our state government has gone NO size
cesStuI operation, and ITS organization has I'd
ded al o her ink tn the ere at chain Of cxptti,
mental proof demonstrating the truth that ,.le
peop'e IRE capable Of seIr--overnmcnt.
Twenty millions of people quietly assetn
bling their respective prccircls. on sle
same day, and there determining who slia1
administer their national, aud in many cas- &
their local. government for period Of years
10 come, pres"n's the most sub}ime specsa-
Gle of national greatness aud virtue ever exh:b-
tied to the world. Such is the happy res:llt
of q government based upon the equality ,of
OF rights and the intelligence OF It's people.
have thus, pretty n due regard ito
the interests of the state would permit, PEE
scented TO you its condition, and recommend
for your action such measures as in my opsn~
ion will promote its welfare. My duty under
the constitution is performed, and leave rho
great interests of the people in the hands :oF
its representatives, trusting that harmo.ly
may charcterize all your official intercourse,
and that your legislation may be guided ny
wise counsels aud productive of beneficial re-
suits.
NELSON DEWEY:
Madison, January It'll 1919.