The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-11
The Eault Ste. nJaric Canal,

At the late session of Congress a bill passed
granting to the State of Michigan $50, 900
acres OF land to aid in the construction If q
ship canal at the Sault Ste. Marie. The IN
deItaking had long been regarded as of national
lmportance-as in fact essential to the devel-
oPment OF The vast mineral wealth of the Lake
Superior region; and the action of Congress was
therefore hailed by the States BORDERING the
great chain oi lakes as stimulus to their fu-
'nTe prosperity, not less than as a measure of
justice to those who have already invested for
tunes IN mining enterprises.
1t now appears that the spirit of reckless par
''sanshIP, which has long jeopardsed the best
interests of Michigan, has seized upon the Gov
eminent grant of land as nice morsel for the
enjoyment of hungry Democrats. Michigan is
famed as the theatre of bold tricks and frauds
on The part of its Democratic rulers and off
Gers. The corruption that has prevailed at
lansing. the seat of government for the State.
has just been partially brought to light; the
management Of the school fund by politicians
of the same stripe is an event on record, to rise
In judgment some day against its Democratic
canal, SO earnestly sought and SO obviously
neeaed, is to be converted into material for the
manufacture Of another job.
governor McCLELLAND, it seems, has hasti-
Iy nominated men of doubtful capabilities to
select the lands granted by the Government
IL Is alleged that in so doing he has violated
the spirit if not the letter of the act of Con-
nd hot fba
one or two exceptions, INSCRIPTIONS party
agents, whose appointment is designed 10 ope-
Ta'e as cloak for Misrepresentation of the
land granted. 1t is alleged, further, that the
result OF their appointment, if it be not can
celled, will be To prevent the consummation of
the wishes of the people and of Congress in
relation to the canal. We take the following
statement upon the subject from the Lake Su-
perior Journal, a non-political journal, whose
editor is qualified by prolonged residence TO
speak in behalf Of the great mining interests
that are at stake:
of any thing could surprise us, since the perpe-
tration of the schoel fund fraud in this State il
would be The hgh-handed trick that has iust been
attempted to be played off for the destruction of
the sault ship canal projects and for private and
political advantage. The act recently passed by
Congress, granting donation of $50, 900 acres of
land TO the State for the construction of the canal
provides that The land be selected in subdivisions
agreeably to the United States surveys, by nm
agent or agents to be appointed by the Governor
OF said State, subject to the approval of tho Score
'ary of the Interior, from any lands within said
State subject 10 private entry
"Under cover Of tbis authority al this esrly
before a hot
DC made OF the grant. worthy Governor Rob
ert McCleland, had been duced for ressops hes,
kno"n TO himself and well known 10 otbers to
appoint this agent or agents. and has entrusted
We understand, this all i'm portant bu.iness to the
enemy Of all enemies Of this canal, by which mr.
engagement the land will most undoubtedly be To-
Gated or selected " here il is least valuable where
1t lie In fact worthless thus in IN Indirect and plsu
sblc way striking a death blow 10 the most i'm.
Portant the most vital interest that is or that ever
can DC connected with this inland eea This is
"o"u' me last trick OF the very few desperate enc
mes OF this great work. and fortunate Il ia for the
citizens OF the lake country who have settled and
invested their means in this region that it has been
discovered in time to be exposed, and. We trina,
frustrated.
1--WE know not bow much blame can attach 40
Governor McCIelland in this transaction We he
icVc, however, that be has been imposed upon by
designing men, in similar way that Governor
Fe'ch was imposed upon in relation TO the military
orders for tearing down the dock and warehouse
''s' session at this place; imposed upon in the came
way that Governor Barry YVES in revising the re.
peal Of the sault canal charter, and in permitting
what amounted TO private sale Of school sections
In the mineral region, t~o winters ago, by which
hundreds Of thousands Of dollars were virtually
PIundered from the school fund
mo one in this whole region, except perhaps the
party opposed to the canal, ever had the remotest
idea that the Governor would exercise this doubt
'ol authority, before the meeting Of the Legisla-