The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-04-18
For the Minnesotian.
Disposition of the Railroad Grant.


MEssRs. EDITORS AS the time for the
meeting of the extra session of the Terrific
rial Legislature approaches, it may not be
| amiss, in the proper spirit, to venture few
suggestions, relative to the matters which
will probably absorb The principal attention
of that body.
The disposition Of the lands, granted to
the Territory or future State to aid in the
construction of railroads, between the various
point designated in the grants, to the several
Companies, chartered or to be chartered, and
which will undertake to build the roads, will
be the principal subject of deliberation and
action at such session. This is subject of
great magnitude! The future of Minnesota
is intimately connected with it. The great
ness and prosperity of the future common
wealth will either be promoted, or injured
and crippled by this action. Its sources of
wealth and power will be developed. and fos-
tered, or its energies and natural resources
will be cramped AMI paralyzed by it. 1t is
a question for statesmen to handle; one de-
handing the most searching investigations
the maturest reflection. and the calmest and
most deliberate action. 1t is now subject
for universal discussion. Every man should
give to the public the benefit of any sugges-
tons which may occur to him. Suggestions
create discussion; discussion induces inves-
tgation; investigation produces reflection,
and reflection will enable the legislator to
form his judgment and found his action on
sound and intelligent basis.
repeat it, that this is question for dis
CUSTOM grave and earnest discussion and
inquiry! 1t is a subject worthy the atten-
ton and worthy Of the action Of Statesmen !!
Few greater opportunities, than this affords
for the exercise Of that high quality of talent,
occur in single lifetime; and we are glad
that such an OCCASION has presented itself to
those composing our present Legislative As
sembly. Though IN silly young, there are
many among them who are equal to the
emergency, and who will view it as States
men; with an eye, more to expansive great
ness of the future than the limited and COM
paratiyely triling interests of the present.
1t is question that should be determined
in the spirit of patriotism, and with an eye
solely to the public good, rather than of fos-
tering individual or sectional interests at the
sacrifice and expense of the public good.
Where the future depends upon our &C
ton, and where that action, differing from
ordinary legislative action, as here, is final
and irrepealable, it should be looked at with
the mind and grasped with the wisdom of
the Statesman, and not the contracted and
selfish motives Of the Spectator in town
sites.
Let this be done let the interests of the
future State be carefully provided for and
guarded. Let our views be as enlarged as
the grant has been liberal, and the interests
of the country are general, and the grant
will be as beneficial to those who come after
us as it has been to ourselves. Let every
part of the Territory, as far as the granting
act will permit, receive its just and equal
proportion, so that no one section can COM
plain that it has been sacrificed to an
other and above all, do not let the future
interests of the State be made subordinate
to the individual interests of selfish man,
or permit them to be the means of diverting
any portion of the grant from whole district
of country, that their particular town-sites
may be benefited. There is enough for all,
if the distribution is .iust-enough for the
SOUTH with fair share for the north. Let
Justice be done! CIVIS.