The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-05-16

To tAs E5itOrs Of tho Ninnesotian:

What II tho Best Policys
To As Edstors Of to Aimmesotian:
As an humble individual, desiring to see
the great North Western chain of Railroads
in operation as soon as possible-and not as
land grabber or speculator venture to
address through your columns few consid-
erations to the citizens of the Territory, and
all concerned, on what appears to me the
most feasible, and least Objectionable dispo-
sition Of the grant.
As Minnesota is about to don her bridal
robes, and " marry into the Union," and be-
ing the protage of Uncle Sam, that kind
hearted old gent, in merry mood" gave to
Minnesota several million acres of land, as
" marriage portion" to help her over the
shoals of political and commercial Adde'S
cense.
This is not a gift to few spectators, but
farm to all the people, who are now citi-
zens, or who may hereafter become SUCH
The object of the grant is to build Rail-
roads designated in the act, with its concom
liant results of furnishing US market at all
seasons of the year, and opening up the vast
resources of the territory, to the hardy pio-
neers who encounter the perils and priva-
tons usually incident to frontier settle
ment.
If the lands build the roads, it is all that
can be expected, and no one entertains an
idea that the surplus, if any, will be paid to
the people, or that any profits of the road
will 60 into the citizens pockets, except such
as may be raised by tax on the "per cent"
of the road.
Thus we see, that it really makes no diff
ference to NJ nnesotians who are not stock
holders, whether the roads are built by men
living in Boston, Chicago, St. Paul, or west
Of the Rocky Mountains. What we want
is, the iron horse, by the shortest way We
can bring him on the track-nor do we care
who his groom is, if he can but
"Guide the reins with unerring hand"
Now, it strikes me that the oft repeated
phrase, that the "roads must be built and
operated exclusively by Minnesota men," is
just as preposterous as to declare that they
must be built with Minnesota money! A
proposition at variance with even possibility.
1t would be no less absurd to declare that
no steamboat should float on old Missisppi's
bosom, above Prescott, unless owned, man
ned and controlled by Minnesota men! Still
more absurd would it be to say that no CT
tizen of another State or territory should
employ his capital amongst us to build saw
mills, factories, and other mechanisms, and
towns and cities. In fact we might as well
say that no man shall send his money into
this territory, to be used here, unless he
comes with it.
Now, Mr.. Editor, so far as the disposition
of the land grants 60, apprehend there is
no practical difference of opinion anywhere
on the point that citizens of Minnesota
ought to. constitute majority of each Board,
but that they ought to erclgsirely make up
the boards, l think might be seriously ques-
toned by every business man who under
stands the ropes" of Wall street. East
ern capitalists are becoming over suspicious
of all railroad securities from we'll known
fact, that must address itself to every bust
ness mans mind-that men dislike to put
large sums of money out of their hands,
where it will be SO completely beyond their
control as to create serious apprehensions in
many instances of its entire absorption
without safety or redress.
| On this very account, the Chicago, St.
Paul and Fond du Lac R.R. Company have
issued their new bonds, so as to permit the
holders thereof to have a vote with the
stockholders. Now, all must see the sound
policy Of this, and that if it does, as it is
likely, come into general practice, then what
becomes of home erclusiceness 1t is an
impracticable, ii not an impossible abstrac-
ton, to say the least
think the plan adopted by the Illinois
Central Railroad Company is the most fea-
sble. The citizens of that State could not
even backed by the immense grant, move in
the matter on their own hooks" and not q
doubt remains, that had they not invited in
Eastern capitalists, with mutual inter
change of pledges on the one hand and pro-
fits on the other, the grass would be growing
to-day over the track of that great thorough
fare.
Michigan tried her exclusive policy until
she built the " flat rail " to Kalamazoo on her
Gown hook" at cost of $1,000 900, but it
is said by her own citizens that the best
trade she ever made was in selling out to a
Boston Company for ten thousand dollars.
Pennsylvania has within the last few
weeks, shown her final opinion of local ex-
clusiremess, by disposing OF an important
portion of her public works to foreign
company, at sacrifice of many millions Of
dollars.
1t does strike me that the Legislature
ought to determine upon the most feasible
routes compatible with the terms of the
Grant, and our own immediate interests in
the shortest and most feasible route to
market, and to put the main control in the
hands of our own citizens who are not spec.
ulators by profession and skill, and also, il
possible, to avail ourselves of the advice
counsel and assistance of some we'll estab-
lishcd roads elsewhere that suit the shortest
! rO,lfe tn ma rlet fO avail ourselves of thoi,
credit in, and knowledge, of the money
market, by giving them small voice in the