Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1852-01-15

by engrossing the most valuable portions Of
the vacant lands, and IN every instance. will
probably have the effect to keep them out
OF immediate market, rs well as to increase
the original cost TO the settler when offered
for sale. If granted as is usual in such cases.
IN alternate sections, the practice has been
and will probably continue to be, to increase
the price Of the government lands so alter
nately reserved. thus making the land both
granted and reserved, protitless bargain 10
the capitalist, as wei as placing them be-
yond the reach OF a large proportion of en-
lgrant settlers, who would otherwise become
resident producers IN the State The con
sequence would be, they would avoid Wis
consin and seek more favorable localities in
other States and Territories, where vacant
lands could be procured at the usual con
gress price. If a grant be made forthe ben
etlt OF only one certain work or a particular
company, and no other should be allowed.
1t would be Objectionable, as conferinc
special and exclusive benefit upon a particu-
lar section OF the State, out Of general
and common fund that belongs to al por-
tons and sections Of the State alike. If
one grant should become a precedent rea
son for allowing others, and grants should
continue to be made as often as any work or
Improvement could be demonstrated to be
Of utility and importance to any section If
the country, in a very short time all the
public lands in the State would be absorbed
and engrossed by numberless projected inter
nal improvements, each under the manage
ment Of special and private companies. and
all requiring the supervision Of the State
Government. The companies having charr-
OF these various works, would. or rniohr
consider 1t for their interest to make such
a high appraisment Of these grants as would
necessarily keep them a long time out of
market, and prevent their occupancy and
settlement. In the mean time. In order TO
obtain the requisite means to commence and
carry on these works, might see fit to issue
bonds, scrip, or other evidences Of debt.
making these lands the basis Of their credit
and security, and by their sale or negotiation
IN foreign market, have the effect to place
these lands in a measure under the control
OF nonresident money Spectators.
The unsold and unappropnated public
lands within our limits are, in the main. sit
uated IN the northern and northwestern
portions Of the State, and nearly all along
the line, or IN the vicinity of the great Fox
and Wisconsin river thoroughfare. All that
section Of the State is locally and peculiarly
Interested in their speedy sale, occupancy and
improvement. Grants may be asked and
OBJ tanned for the purpose of constructive
works IN other and distant parts of the State
in which they are but little, if at all. interes-
ted and it would certainly be narrow policy
to thus attempt to build up and improve
one section, at the expense, and perhaps 10
the injury Of another. It is true. that
portion OF the State Immediately benefited
by the work might thereby become settled.
cultivated and enriched but the other section
lying m the vicinity of the granted lands.
would long remain a waste, unimproved and
unoccupied and perhaps embarr assed bva
non resultant ownership. Another seri0us
objection TO those grants is their tendencv
to create immense and dangerous monopc-
lies within the State. The accumulation of
wealth by individual industry and enter
prise, the concentration of capital bv the
organization OF companies, are not only
laudabIe and proper, but have the countt-
nance and protection of our laws But mo
nopoIies, created by gifts and grants from
the government, and enjoying special priv
ilege~, are antagonistic to the spirit ofour
institutions and should not be encouraged.
If the state, by Legislation, should impose
stringeu- safe guards, conditions and restric-
tons upon the disposition Of these trusts.and
not submit them wholly, or even partially.
to the control ofthe companies to be bene-
fitted, It is to be presumed, but few of these
grants would be asked or sought. IN order
to secure efficiency and progress, these COM
Panies must and should have the full con
troll oi all the operations Of their improve
ment and the sole management Of all its
financial concerns, and the disbursement Of
the proceeds Of these grants would be
necessary incident to the full exercise Of
their corporate powers. But suppose these
Legislative conditions and restrictions would
be both proper and practicable. In that
ease .lft amount and rasponSibilit1- of Iatei1