The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-07-08

Gentlemen Of the Senate, and House O
Representatives:

Gentlemen Of the Senate, and House OF
Representatives.
BY an act OF Congress, approved May 10th,
1856, there was granted to the State Of Iowa,
for the purpose of aiding in the construction
Of Railroads from Burlington on the Mlsss-
sippi river, to point on the Missouri river,
near the mouth Of the Platte river; from
the city of Davenport via Iowa City and TT.
Des Moines, to Council Bluffs from Lyons
City, northwcsterly to point of intersec-
ton with the main line of the Iowa Central
Air Line Railroad, near Maquoketa thence
on said main line, running rs near as
practicable to the forty second parallel
across the said State, to the Missouri river !;
from the city OF Dubuque to a point on the
Missouri river, near Sioux City, with a
branch from the mouth Of the Seti Des
Morris, to tho nearest point on said road, to
be completed rs soon rs the main road is
completed to that point, every alternate Sec
ton Of land designated by odd numbers for
six sections in width, on each side of each Of
said roads.
The act provides that if it shall appear
when the lines Of said roads are definitely
fixed, that the United States have sold any
sections or parts OF sections SO granted, or
that the right Of pro. cmption has attached
to the same, then it shall be lawful for any
agent or agents to be appointed BY the Gov
ernor Of said State, to select, subject to the
approval Of the Secretary Of the Interior.
from the lands Of the United States nearest
to the tiers Of sections above specified, SO
much land In alternate sections or parts of
sections, as shall be equal to such lands as
the United States have sold or otherwise 40
propriated, or to which the rights of pre-
emption have attached as aforesaid.
On the 10th of May last, all the lands w.
ing within the probable limits Of the grant.
were withdrawn from market, and there is
now m entire suspension Of business in all
Of the United States Land Offices in the
State, except in those at DEBORAH and Fort
Dodge. The interests OF the State require
that the lands not embraced within the grant
should be opened to purchase and settlement
at AS early n day rs practicable. Under tho
construction of the commissioner Of the
General Land Office, the title of the State
does not rest in the alternate sections. un-
I'll the several lines Of roads have been sur
veycd and maps Of their location properly
I eaEs tAa4 ss4 returned to hrs Ufiice re ma :
therefore urged upon me the necessity that
the State take immediate measures to Sc
cure the lands granted, by an early compli-
ance with the provisions Of the act Of Con-
gress, and with the instructions Of his de-
partment.
Hence, have convened you, gentlemen, in
special session that you may determine,
! LIST. Whether or not the State will accept
the grant made under the net Of the 18th OF
May last, and If so,
Cd. Whether the lands granted shall be
transferred to any specific railroad con-
panies, and if so, to what companies they
shall be transferred, and
Sd. Upon what terms shall the transfer be
made.
My experience on matters Of this kind has
been 50 limited, that am not prepared to
submit to you any plan for the proper dis
posal Of these lands. Your wisdom will
| doubtless mature system, which, while j,
promotes the present material interests Of
the State by developing its resources and ad-