Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-01-17

strates the fact, that this, when established must
be the line over which large proportion of the
vast carrying trade of those sections, and much oil
the country lying west of the Mississippi, will be
most conveniently and cheaply done. The por
ton OF the country contiguous TO the Lake shore
| must also share in the advantages thus conferred
by the opening of nearer and cheaper avenue OF
communication with the commercial centers at
the East.
The State at large is not without deep inter-
est in the completion of this important improve
ment within it. The number of great water pow
ers which it will create along its extent the man
uiacturiag villages which it will cause to spring
ND in consequece and the increase of taxable prop
erty and commercial activity, are considerations
important TO the welfare of our whole people
We now plainly discover, unaided by specu-
lative statesmen the benefits and disadvantages of
the policy of granting public lands, in the State
where they must lie TO be appropriated TO the
construction of works OF this character and our
experience Will go far towards convincing others
that the benefits have largely the preponderance
Undertakings, of magnitude which would repel
private enterprise unless thus aided are encourag-
ed and assisted 10 completion. and where without
such aid if attempted, they would languish and
die, the whole country including the General
Government by the rapid sales Of its lands, are
benefited TO an extent not easily calculated
Large additions TO the State Library through
means provided by the last Legislature have been
made during the past year A detailed report,
concerning the same, will be laid before you at an
early day. The expenditures of moderate sum
only will be required annually in the purchase of
late publications. to render il both an ornament
to our State, and sufficient for the objects winch
induce its establishment.
The u s. standard weights and measures. to
which this State eneted, on her Abundance
into the Union, have recently been received and
put in order for use IN suitable fire. proof build
ing, erected for that purpose, upon the public
grounds in pursuance OF plans furnished by the L.
$. Government.
In order that these costly standards NAV be rem
dered as useful. it designed by Congress
they should be- deem it important that the law
relating TO procuring county standards should be
amended as to require the State Treasurer who
by law has the charge OF the Government stand
ards 10 procure the manufacture from suitable
material for the OF each county, of complete
ard uniform Standards, to be by him sealed and
delivered 10 the proper county oliceT-the cost of
which, to be added to the amount of State tax that
each county shall respectively be liable 20 pay
for the year the same shall be delivered This
regard as the best means of insuring the proper
uniformity in county standards, VIII ich it is so
necessary to secure.
In my former message TO the Legislature urg
ed the propriety OF making provision for the sale
of the swamp and overlooked lands granted to
inns state pF ACT OF tOfpfeHS approved september
%, 1850. TIE Legislature at that session failing
in the ,.ternpt to provide for such sale, now re
new the subject, and recommend definite action
There are numerous considerations which sho
weigh in urging early disposition and recla-
nation of these lands. To dispose fthen, would
tend greatly 20 improve the health of localities
contiguous to them-would hasten the settlement
of the country, and make productive taxable prop
erty of much of that. which in many instances is
al present useless, and no law for their protection,
or against taking the timber from them, ii is be-
lieved could he rendered sufficiently effcacous to
prevent their being thus despoiled, of what in
many instances constitutes their chief value Be-
sides even admitting the possibility of enforcing
such law, il could not be done without great
perpiexity, and expense TO the State
Since the adjournment of the last Legislature.
| have endeavored to adopt measures for the pur-
pose not only of ascertaning the facts relative to
the quantity and value of these lands. but also to
secure the fee simple title thereto to the State.
Perfect and approved lists of such of said lands
as remain unsold within the surveyed portion of
the State and formerly subject TO sale Of the sew
era u S. Land Offices, have been procured from
the Commissioner of the General Land Office and
follows viz:
In the Milwaukee Land Dist. SO, Csc 93-lOO acres
4" Mineral Point " 1855 40-1O0 "
La Crosse 217,295 1S-100
Willow River 14S,01545-10O Z;
Menasha 7l7,52S G2-1OO 4"
Stevens Point 52l.67O $1,000 f"
Making a total Of one million six hundred fifty-one
thousand sixty-two l0l00 acres
Official statements from the General Land OF
fee of the sales made by the government of such
granted lands since the passage of the act appro
priating the same. and for which the State is clear
Iy entitled to receive either money other lands
il is promised and confidently believed, will be
forthcoming; which, It is thought will increase
the total quantity within the surveyed portions of
the State TO nearly two millions of acres so that
uron a moderate estimate, for that portion of the
oyerfowed lands. in the surveyed districts mot
included in either of the lists referred to- and the
swamp and overlowed lands yet to be surveyed
in the northern portion of the State il is reasona-
bic TO suppose that the total quantity which will
ultimately enure to the State from this grant will
equal three millions of acres. For the lands en-
braced in the perfected list referred 10 such assur
ances have been received from the Commissioner
as to render it morally certain that the patents
for the viii be executed TO the State at an
early day,
Many of these lands are valuable and should
there be iudicious provision made for their sale
a large sum of money may be speedily realized
by the Stale, after complying with the terms OF
the grant.
Admitting the propriety Of thus disposing of
these lands, can constitutional objection
10 appropriating the surplus proceeds, after their
application the extent required by the grant
ing them TO such purposes as the Legislature
may deem proper; and, a large sum has yet
TO be expended in the erection of public buildings
such the completion OF the Penitentiary. the
construction OF the buildings for the various char
table institutions and, distant day, of new
Capital ediiice, the enlargement OF the present
which. even now, owing TO the insuihciency of
room for Offices, seem to be demanded.
From the examination | have given this sob
ject am clear in the opinion that, from the sales
of these lands. we may reimburse the treasury for
all past OUTLAWS, account of public buildings
every character; and further erect all such build
ings as the State will require for many years to
come The constitutional limit for State indebt-
edness being small, and that limit having been
reached during the years $50 and 1853, am
strongly impressed with the belief that IN the sale
of these lands is presented the only at pres
ent within command, by which to provide for
the objects named without resortng to direct tax
alton, the burthens of which for the ordinary ex
penses of our State, while yet in infancy, will be
found fully equal to the ability 10 meet
| therefore recommend that in the e"ent OF pro-
yison being made for the sale of the lands, that