The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-05-09
EentA Council neutrality-suspicious.
Convention.
Tie Rand Ssrants---The Root River Val.
leg aud transit Railroad Companies.

l. our article of yesterday morning, we
moved, we think conclusively, the import
aa-e Of ggauting the lands donated to the
Territory for railroad purposes to compa.
res, " 40 should be obliged to build tn.
main lines designated by Congress, withou,
forcing r's companies receiving them to built
any side lines to subserve mere sectional OF
bcai interests. There seems to be very lit
ts difficulty in arranging the details for
ueosly ~ these main and branch lines, and
n 1ar legislature will act, as we think they
Til, solely tcc the best good Of the whole
Ten tory, al! the grants can be properly dis
pissed Of within the next few days.
There are lwo companies, however, whose
interests seem to be Numerically opposed
&. eac5 other; but we apprehend that this
c'ss1.ug exists mainly on the part of one
company Tie true interests of the Terri
tory ar3 The other company, we think it can
be clearly shown, are identical. We alIude
q .ae Root River Valley and Transit or
Ninona Companies.
Tie words IF the act of Congress grant
..c lands i,r The building of these roads are
SIS WiisFs: From Winona via St. Peter to
g p5.ur ou the Big Sioux River, south of the
orty-Htl nafallel of north latitude; also,
feon la resent via Target Lake, up the
valley II KosJ River, to point of junction
VIDA 'a1 a mentioned roads, east of range
seventeen" Now it will be conceded on all
hands mai t0ese lands were given by Con-
gress directly to the Territory for the pur-
poses specified, and that the Legislature has
tie rishtto give them to any responsible CON-
p4nr hat viii bind itself to build both roads,
AND thereby to subserve the best interests
q the people. 1t will be also conceded,
that nearly all the lands on the Root River
Valley and Transit lines east of range sew
en.cen are taken up, and that if the roads
are 70 be built at all, it must be done out of
die proceeds Of the lands west of the Min
nesota River. Any deficiency in the lands
along the lines of both roads lying east of
ranse seventeen, may be made up along the
.naia trunk vest Of that range. 1t be-
CONF q matter of vital Importance, there
fore that the main line and both the eastern
extensions should be under the control of
one company.
Let us examine the question therefore as
between che Root river and Transit compa-
hes. If the lands are given to the Transit
company, they will build the road from Wi
mona to The Big Sioux, and pocket the surplus,
leaving the Root river valley road without
lands and without any available means for
rs construction. This surplus is what the
TRANSIT gentry are after. Their only object
"a 10 make money, as the people of the Ter
ritory have abundant means of knowing
V ituess their INSCRIPTIONS efforts to re-
move the Capital, to the great damage of al
most the entire Territory, to promote the
ends Of their own intense and Unsuitable
se.fshness.
On the other hand the true interests of
the people will be effectually secured and
promoted by giving these lands to the Root
river valley company. In the first place
tteir charter covers the entire ground. Let
tho lands be given to them, with the condition
mat they build both lines east of range sew
c1teen, and if you please, require them to
put 90 h lines under contract and complete
thcm AZ the same time. By this means the
acknowledged surplus of lands west of the
Minnesota would secure the building of two
roads instead of going into the pockets of
few reckless foreign sharpers. Isit not plain
therefore that the interests of the Root
river valley company and the people of Min
neso.a are identical. They are our own cit
izeus. responsble intelligent and enterpri-
sing men, who are abundantly capable of
performing what they undertake.
We have some other facts in store, which
we shall present in future articles In the
meantime we commend this important sub
ieot aad the facts above presented to the call
did and careful consideration of the Legisla-
ture. $50
We had not originally intended to be forced
into an open necessity of denouncing the
pretended claims of the Transit Company to
the grant Of lands west of St. Peter. Had
there been the least particle of good faith
displayed towards other interests by the rep
resentatiges of this company, since they have
been IN st. Paul this last time, our original
intention would have been carried out. But
" Ii all their fsr promises made ten days
AGO. they prove nov t6haye come here with
the same insidious serpe.t ting under their
tongues With which they attempted last win
ts7 TO blast the prosperity Of every quarter
Of The territory that refused to bow down
5uG ship st. Peter and Winona a. the
oniy gods.