The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-03-16

OUT Puotsueut nc ACT rs P"S'o
that The people might Judge Of it. provisions for them
selves, but on the contrary, much industry has been
evinced misiead the public by the publication Of
the original draft with all the Objectionable features
scch had previously been uadicaed from the Bal, very
carefully italicised.
We this week publish, in supplement, the char
ter, as it passed, and feel confident that every
friend of the Territory will he satisfied with the pro-
visions it contains. I, is that might wish to
portions Of the law changed,--we would be glad
the Territory obtain better bargain,-but we |
reflect that the policy the friends Of the Terri
tory had to pursue 6 make good bargain
for the Territory would, in all probability, be &C
ceded to BY the corporators. That done, and
only fear is that the charter will not be &C.
cepted, owing to the s'rngencY of its provisions.
Much has been said about the value Of the lands
granted by the Territory. We have never held those
lands as of any value in comparison the value of
Railroad through the Territory. We believe that
the delay of year in the location and commence
of the Road would entail greater loss to the
interests Of Minnesota than twice the value Of the
I lands we have ceded TO the Railroad Company.
Npassed the Senate Of the United States, granting
land 10 the State Of Wisconsin for the construction Of
Road from Madison to Fond du Lac Lake Supe-
ror, the pon: a, which the Minnesota Road proposes
TO reach the Lake. Ii is also known that the route
OF that road would pass through unsettled portion
Of Wisconsin from the Wisconsin River to the Lake.
Ii is also known that the same Eastern capitalists
! who the the charter for n
through Minnesota, also applicants for charter
and grant OF land for Road through Wisconsin
to Lake Superior. The great object Of these is
to connect the business of Lake Superior, where The
Northern Pacific Road will have terminus, with
their Eastern routes lit is Of little importance to
them, whether they build up Western Wisconsin or
Eastern Minnesota, il their interests will be equally
advanced by the one, by the other. But it is of
the utmost, almost Of vital Importance to Minnesota,
and hence the great necessity f,r early action by
, Legislature.
I The failure on the part Of Minnesota 10 pass an
act at the last session Of the Legislature might have
led 10 The organization OF the company ior the
struction Of road through Wisconsin. and then
Minnesota could have whisted for Railroad for the
next five or six years.
With a charter from both Legislatures, Minnesota
has decided advantage because the route is shorter
and the county better adapted by nature for Rail-
road purposes.
lie. turn our attention to the |" bargain
with the Company, and the actual pecunary benefits
resulting TO Minnesota from the grant Of lands for
the construction OF this Railroad. To make proper
81 q Vve hat pe.
tween Fond du Lac and the Iowa line, along the
probable route Of the Road, there is sections
OF land now occupied, excepting in the vicinity Of
| St. Anthony and ST. Paul. We must also bear in
mind that although most Of the land that route
between St. Paul and Fond ,u Lac, has been in mar
kct for years, there has not been section Of land
that is more than twenty miles from ST. Paul, yet
purchased, except the purchases made by spectators
for the pure lumber thereon. The land therefore that
the company will obtain is emphatica!ly wild land
;. and could be bought Cor dollar and quarter
acre, and If sale was pressed would realize
that amount in cash. We will put it at one dollar
and quarter. The quantity is below one million OF
acres, bat viii admit it is worth one and quarter
million OF dollars. This is certainly all We can esti-
mate il to be WORTH because be bought for that
price. Now LEI US see what gain by this expen-
diture, or donation, II the word is more suitable
IN the first place it will lead to the settlement of
that portion OF the Territory between Lake Superior
and the Mississippi that would be settled whilst
any Of the rich agricultural lands west Of the Misss-
sippi remain unoccupied. 1t will cause the purchase,
settlement and cultivation of two millions of acres Of
land, within the time specified for the completion OF
| the road, more than would be purchased settled
without the road, and this is also in addition to the
land granted the Company. This land, when i'm
proved will be taxed say five dollars per acre and
will pay annual revenue to the counties in the
! Territory Of one hundred thousand dollars The
tax on the lands granted the Company will, at the
! same valuation, be 6fty thousand dollars. Admit
that the Company will not have realized twenty per
cent the capital actually expended, until the exp-
ration Of four years after the completion of the road
from and after The expiration Of ten year. from this
time, the Company 10 required pay into the Terri
toral or State Treasury per cent. of the nett
earnings Of the road say the road costs six millions
Of dollars and the earnings amount to eish, per
cent on that amount, the Territory will receive thirty
three thousand six hundred dollars annually
| Thus we find that the Treasury Of the Territory
State will derive income from these lands after
five years. one per cent $4,000 (tax on ans)
Of $4,000; additional after years at least
6o0.-making in all $4s, 600 per annum,--enoush to
deray the expenses Of a State Government.
This is the resulting interest the future population
Of the Territory will derive from the construction Of
this road. Let now look at the benefits that " i'll
result to the present population.
We have before said that the construction Of this
road will settle millions Of acres Of land in this
Territory, than would be settled without it, ard
we hold that the very moment it is known that the
company has accepted the charter. immigration viii
pour into every section Of Minnesota, far beyond the
expectations Of the most sangune. Every farm Sc
lected and occupied, every manufacturing establish
ment erected, every warehouse or store built, will
enhance the value Of the property adjoining. This
torms the immediate Decuniary rcsrit To