Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-08-31
For the Grand River Times.
The State swamp LANDS.

Our State papers, many of them. seem to have
taken some pains lately to bring the questions of
the proper management and disposal of these
lands before the public us subject for discus
sion. This is commcndable, and were all af.
fairs of public policy thoroughly canvassed in
the prints before submitting them to our legis-
ature, we should doubtless have less crude, i'm
polite Legislation to be sorry for and to repeal
This subject requires careful examination
before we can decide properly the questions
which arise in relation to it.
How did the State of Michigan acquire title
to the Swamp Lands within her limits
They were granted to the State of Michigan
for the purposes of drainage by act of Congress
of Sept. %, 1850. These words are contained
in the grant:
"Thc proceeds of said lands, whether from
sale, or by direct appropriation in kind, shall be
applied exclusively TO the purpose Of retaining
said lands"
This defines the intentions of the grantor,
and by accepting these lands, tho State of Mich
igan takes the condition with them and is bound
both by law and honor to faithfully apply the
proceeds rs provided in the grant. Nor is there
any hardship in their fulfilling this bond. This
was munifcent gift for a noble purpose. 1t
is one of the few instances on record of wise
and liberal Legislation for the health of n nation
We are all aware that one Of the greatest him
ORANGES to the prosperity of the newer portions
of toto 10 Il g..
vers caused mainly by miasma generated in the
marshes and swamps.
The means placed at our disposal arc ample
to convert the pestient swamps, and miasmatic
marshes of our Peninsula, into healthy and pro-
ductive fields and meadows
Thus double object will be secured the
health of our citizens will be guarded, and these
offensive wastes, will be changed into valuable
productive lands
Now, what measures have been taken, thus
far, to avail ourselves of this grant!
An act was passed by our legislature Zap
proved June %, 1851 establishing the basis of
selection Of these lands, and minimum price,
and providing that the proceeds be a separate
fund for carrying out the provisions of the
grant. The Commissioner of the State Land
Office is also directed to sell them, in a specified
manner, as soon as the title vests in the State
Gov. McClelland, in his message to the legs-
lature Of January 1858, recommends that the
Commissioner of the State Land Office be di-
rected to report the condition of these lands and
d plan for CARVING out the object of the grant
He then proceeds AS the whole may not
be required for the purposes of drainage,
would suggest whether at least portion of the
proceeds might not be wisely applied to those
of the educational funds which are most in
need" WI
The Legislature, however, took no further ac-
ton on the subject, except by enacting law
approved Feb. IA, 1859 authorizing the State
Treasurer to claim and receive from the Gener-
al Government the avails Of all Swamp Lands
sold after the grant was made, and before the
lands were selected and withheld from sale.
Thus the Commissioner of the State Land
Office, may, as soon as patent is issued to the
State for these lands, sell them, Offering them
first at auction to the highest bidder, and after
wards holding them subject to entry at mini
mum price.
The Lansing STATE Journal, suggests, we un.
derstand, that the nett proceeds of these lands
be applied for educational purposes, and the
country press generally unite in the recon-
mendation