Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1857-01-20
ACTUAL SETTLERS SHOULD HAVE THE
PREFERENCE


In disposing of its lands, deem it advisable
for the State, by every practicable method, TO
give preference 10 actual settlers, and TO its
infiuence to induce the General Government to
adept similar policy The facilities afforded
speeulators at present, for obtaining possession
of large tracts of wild land, operates TO the
prejudice OF the best interests Of the State. 1t
d!scourages the Immigration OF the most de-
sIrable order OF settleYs--farTnerB OF moderate
means, who constitute the grent productive class
Of tho couHtry,-aud thus large extent OF
territory is often left uncultivated and unpro-
ductive for years.
FRAUDS UPON THE BALLoT.Box.
The experience of the past would seem to
suggest the necessity of protecting tie ballot
box. by the enactment of more stringent penal
laws for hat purpose All persons detected in
devising, manufacturing or altering forged OF
fraudulent election returns, or IN any other
manner endeavoring, knowingly, 70 defeat the
viii Of lie majority Of the electors, constitu-
tonaiiy expressed through the ballot-hox
should be severely punished. The security ot
The right OF suffrage, to rich and poor, to the
weak aud the powerful alike, and the main
tepaEcc OF Tie ballot -hox. as a genuine index
Of he sentiments Of SIC majority, are matters
OF vital moment in government like ouls
hssed upon the popular will, and whose firmest
support ls in the affections Ct the people. Let
their confidence in the ballotbox, expon-
cnt Of the real viii Of the majority, be DESTROY
ed, and The most disastrous consequences would
follow.
FOX AND WIS. RIVERS IMPROVEMENTS.
At the last sessicn of the Legislature, an Ac,
was passed, entitled An Act " TO secure the en-
largemcnt md immediate completion Of the
Improvement Of the navigation Of the Fox and
" isconsln rivers, and the pay ne1t of the scrip
and otLer evidences Of Indebtedness issued by
the State on account of the aar1p and for: he
protection Of the settlers on the even sections
DC, )" approved October Sd, 1856
The Fox AVID Wisconsin River Improvement nj
Corpany, having accepted the Act in due form,
and within Tic specified time, in pursuance OF
its provisions, have deposited with Alexander
Mitchell, OF Tie city of Milwaukee by nv di
rce;ion, and subject 10 the order Of tie Cover.
nor Of The State, one hundred ard fly thousand
dollars of their first bonds issued in conform.
ity to sections three aud fifteen, of the sboye
mentioned Gct, as security to The eetilars upon
the even or reserved sections Of the Fox river
grant, vho have purchased Of the company
and paid their money for portions Of these
lsnds.
! am happy to state that the company lave
entered in earnest upon the work of complet-
! ing the Improvement. The contracts for tEc
entire work between Portage CITY and Green
Bay have already been let TO responsible par.
ties, and are 10 lie completed at an early tlav
in the Kramer provided by the Act Of l656.--
The character Of the men now having charge
Of this Improvement is such rs to give assur-
auco of lis speedy and faithful completion
and. rlcn completed. It will open one of tbs
rrcst busy ihorcuslfarcs Of inland commerce
III the northwest. becoming source Of profit
10 those wLo have invested their capital in the
enterprise, and an important agency in con.
iributiBg to Ike wealth ard greatness Of the
State.