The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-09-01
Effect of the Land Sales.

Some of the papers in the Territory, WE
perceive, are making efforts to have the land
sales postponed. Many of the arguments
adduced, are doubtless not without grounds !;
but we had thought from what little we have
been able to learn of the state of things at
present existing with regard to the public
domain, that a sale of the lands sswere a con-
summation desOitiy TO be wished" Not one
half Of those who pre-empt land have any
assurance that their titles will ever be per-
fected-claims are daily contested, and more
perjuries are committed than would eternally
damn the Territory if the curse should fall
upon it. If we understand the law correct
ly, these titles are liable to be forfeited when
ever the perjury whereby they wee obtained
is proved. Many settlers prefer buying
Claims or pre-empted lands near the settle
ments, and it is subjecting many to uncer-
tainties that might be avoided were the con-
ditions of the sale to the first settler less
obligatory.
1t is contended that there are now numer-
ous settlers in the Territory who are not
prepared to pay for THE land they have i'm
proved: Are there any more such now than
there will be at any future time? Will not
this evil be less now than if the sales are
postponed until another and greater tide of
emigration pours into the Territory? And
will it not be better for land to be i'm market
and let az who may come have one year to pay
for their land. All who come within the
year preceding the sale have less time to
make their payments, and there are probably
Fewer who have come this year than will
next.
Those who have CONT in time to plant their
trdlis will have them in market in time to
get money to pay for their claims, and those
who have not, and are not able to pay for
what land they want, will not be apt to make
any extensive improvements, and if the land
they have chosen happen to be bought by
some one else, they have only to select ano-
ther piece just as good, and have a year to
pay for it.
Large tracts of land will doubtless be
bought by speculators but even that, (tho'
an alarming evil. were better than the in
fernal tricks now resorted to for the same
end.
These lands, it will be recolleettd, WERE
last year advertised for sale and were post
pdned for Railroad purposes, very much to
the annoyance of many worthy settlers.
Since that time strenuous efforts have again
been made to get these lands offered for sale,
and our land officers have been solicited
daily, to urge tie mat t,er before the depart
ment, as it was by this mode alone that a
large number of the settlers could suit them
selves with desirable farms, from the fact
that, in most cdses, it is impossible to procure
prairie and timber lying together; conse-
quently they have pre-empted one or the
other, and are now waiting public sale to
complete the location of their farms
Brownsville HrGld.
The Brownsville Herald, be it remembe:
ed, is one of the Rice organs of Southern
Minnesota. 1t is controlled by Mckinney
and Bennett Land Officers at Brownsville,
and creatures of H. NJ. Rice. In the publ
cation of the week previous to the above, Mr..
Rice's Register and Receiver at Brownsville
got off the following "puff" of their master
in the columns of the Herald:
"HoN. ii. NJ. RlcE-The consent of this
talented and worthy gentleman to be can
didate to represent our interests in Congress,
is hailed with pleasure throughout Southern
Minnesota That he is the man best calc,l-
leted to accomplish the most for us at Wash
inrton is universally believed. He will not,
however. be elected on the strength of the
democratic ticket; the democratic party in
the Territory is divided, and we saw men al
ST. Paul, who were members of the Repub-
lican Convention, who assured us that Rice
would get stronger support out of the de
mocratic ranks than any other man. Mr.
Rice is known to be Northern man with
literal principles, and an energetic advocate
of the best interests of the Territory, ant
that is all the people want. The people will
however, decide their own choiee, and it il
not for us to say who he shall be. We trust
however, that party spirit, which does no
concern the election of a Territorial DELEGATE
TO Congress, may not be allowed to interier
with our interests"
We make this second extract merely fo
the purpose of showing the connection be
tween the consistent Democratic candidat
Mr.. Rice, and his organ at Brownsville. Th
Herald thinks Mr. Rice the man for Congress
and the Herald would have the land sale
take place in order that the people may b
prevented from suffering the pains and pen
alties of perjury! How many Land WaI
rants have you on had, Capt. Mckinney, t
locate upon "choice sites" along the Roc
River valley-all for the purpose of pre-
venting the people of Houston and Fillmor