The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-01-27

The liberal Grants of Land made by Con
rress ut its late Session to the State of Mich !,
igan TO aid in the construction ofseyersl new
lines Of Roads in this State, have awakened
"a good degree ofpublic interest on the sub
iect, and must be of vast public benefit to
the new and unimproved counties through
which those lines wiz pass, as we'll as a source
of general prosperity to the people OF tho
whole State; provided wise and Jadicious
System shall be adopted for tneig dlstrba-
ton.
No more important Session Of the Legisla-
ture than the one soon-to commences has ev-
or been held in this State; and no measure
to be acted upon at the coming Session will
have SO important bearing upon tho imme-
diatc pecuniary interest Of the State and peo-
pie as the one to which we have alluded.
No hasty, or inconsiieratc or interested
views should be permitted TO pass into the
form ola Law on this subject. ~ 'ai p
The legislature will unquestionably be sur
rounded by those who will be extremely
anxious to fastcn their peculiar views and
moro especially their favorite routes and meas
ures upon the minds Of ncmbers and the
policy of the State. .,,,.,
We conclude that the great stake which
the State has in this question is, the proper
location and speedy and substantial construc-.
tion of these projected roads, and the interest
which individuals will have, will be to get
the most land for the least work. If this is
n fair statement of the question:, then the
Legislature will pull one way and the Rail
Road men another. And thus way ofin-
terest will lie declared, to commence with
And in addition to this, will be the strife be-
between opposing organizations for the same
routes. u
Amid these contending interests, it appears
to lis hardly probable that :hc Legislature
will be able to discharge all the other neces-
sary business of the session, and make an in
telligent wise aud definite disposition Of the.
Rail Road Lands. 0
Besides, thcreis manfestly a want Of ac-
curato information on the subject, which it
will be impossible for the Legislature to
supply with the limit Of a 40 days session.
lst. No person knows the quantity of
land that will be included in any ono of these
grants.
Cd. No reliable Information rs to the ac-
tual or prospective value Of tho Lands, can be
! obtained within that time. ~ .
3D. 1t will be the policy and interests Of
organizations, or individuals, to Withhold in
formation as to both tho quality and grant
ing of these Lands -~a. ~
4th. Tho term limited for tho Session Of
the Legislation if doubled, would not be suf-
ficient for careful consideration and action up
on this and other important questions which
will demand attention. -.I -
| Al .n,~ hol n
appointment of Board of Commissioners, to
be composed of men Of high character and
intelligence, representing the various sections
of The State, to be the only practicable mode
Of disposing of This important question in a
manner that shall best secure and promote
the interest of the State. ri..f .i
Such q Board could be appointed, and their
powers prescribed by tho Legislature in few
days. and the remainder Of the Session de-
voted to other rccessarv business. .sia9h
A Board so organized could take tine, to
look over the whole grounds, ascertain the A.
mount and value of the Land, the most de-
sirable locations for tho Roads, and tho rcs-
possibility ofindividuals or companies apply
ing for the grants. .. fa sa'ac 81
They could receive and consider proposi-
tons, and have time to weigh and decide mp
on their merits respectively, and all other
things necessary to secure the interests Of tho
State and tho construction Of The roads.
With these suggestions We shall leave Il Q
subject for the present, to be resumed again,
unless some better and moro practicable plan
IS proposed, which we do not believe can DO
done f-Cass Co., Tribune. - 49,
rT p. F. Smith has been nominated and
ea.f-,.eI Ia xl,o ,,n,r Rr;radior Qonorol el,;xa-