The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-01-12
SWAMI LANDS.

Very much has been said, for the last
three years, respecting the true State
policy for the disposition of these Lands.
Numerous and widely different opinions
havo been repeatedly expressed, origina-
ting not only from different localities and
diversified interests, but also from very diff.
ferent views, entertained entirely indepoh-
dent Of any local or other interested cor.
siderations which might particularly bias
the judgement: and after all, nothing it is
beloved, has yet been arrived at, salts
factoryj'as Whole, TO any considerable
portion of the people in any section of the
State.
This seems to be one Of those great and
conflicting State interests which can bo
wisely settled, only by spirit of fair and
liberal compromise.
In view Of these facts, the important
question naturally arises: what can, and
what ought to be done, TO harmonic tho
views and interests Of the whole people, In
permanently settling tho true policy for the
proper disposition Of this extensive grant
of land amounting in all TO nearly 6,0e0
900 of acres. 1t might seem to be over;
stepping tho province Of this Department,
and Improperly encroaching upon that Of
tho Executive, even to suggest, much
moro to recomend, the objects to which
the avails of the sales of these Lands should
be appropriated. But this, the Executive
whose prerogative it is TO exercise su-
pervision over ALL the great interests Of
the State, especially including its financies,
could with great propriety do. The Ian
guage of the grant itself, and tho State
Act of 81 accepting il, soems plain, that
the proceeds Of tho sale of these Lands
should be da,oted, in some form, either
by the direct agency Of the State, the
counties, the purchasers. or otherwise, 30
far as is necessary" (which is the Ian
guage Of the grant) to their drainage and
RECLAMATION" for cultivation, and tho
health Of the country. But it is also claim
cd on tho other hand, that the State alone,
must judge OF the extent Of this "neccssir
ty," and of the matter in which tho ob.
ject, shall be effected. None have denied
the obliA alton of the State, to carry out in
good faith in somo way what it should DO
considered to be the spirit and truc intend
of the grant. But wide difference of o.
pinion has existed, both as to the extent
Of drainage "required, as we'll as to tho
way aud manner of its accomplishments
At the last session of the Legislature,
law was passed regulating the sale of these
Lands, and fixing the minimum price AZ
IS per acre, requiring at least one fourth
of the purchase money down, and the
balance on time, at the option of the pur-
chaser, at seven per cent. interest per an;
num- According to section Of this Act
IS per cent Of tie avails of the sales of ali
fund, (the interest only to be expcnded)
for the benefit of those counties RESPECTIVE
ly, in which the Lands from time to time
should be sold, to be expended under the
direction of the supervisors of said coun1
ties, and after deducting expenses Of sales
the interest on the balance was to be ad-
ded to tho Primary School Fund, and tho
Principal of the balance was to be appro-
priated for the payment of the State in
debtedness, secured by its stocks or bonds,
in the order in which it should fall due.
These last two provisions of this law have
met with very general acceptance in many
parts Of the State, but opposed by the 9TH
er parts on the ground, as is alleged, that
too small portion of the proceeds of sales
was to be devoted to drainage. This Act
required all these Lands 10 be advertised
according to their legal subdivisions, ak
successive weeks previous to their public
offering for sale, in at least ono paper in
every county in the State whero one should
be published. 1t is presumed that the
on a reconsideration of tho
provisions Of this section, would readily
amend it, SO as to bring the expenses of
advertising within reasonable limits. No
provisions was made in this Act for the
forfeiture of these Lands to tho State for
the non-payment Of interests, which is
regarded by this Department, as well as
the Auditor Generals of much importance.
In view Of these provisions, and some
others less Objectionable, after n careful ex-
Of the whole law, could not
but deem it suicidal to what considered
The best Interests of the State, to adver-
.;sc these Lands for sal, under it, finding,
after the accurate computation, that the
expenses of doing this, would in all proba-
oiity, be considerably greater than the a.
mount that that would be received in cash
1t their public offering. therefore, after
nature deliberations, whio much regret
ng this necessity, determined to exercise
he discretion which / believe to be vested
n the Commissioner not to sell them uu
Ter this law, in view Of what seemed to
ne the manifest sacrifice Of the intercsts
f the State-and accordingly, in reply to
numerous enquiries on the subject from
ifferent parts Of the State, / published
his determination in an official circular
n the 9Th day Of May last supposing at
he time, tho law would soon be sm6Ied,
0 that these Lands, so long kept out Of
market for the want of law under which
hey could with propriety be sold, could
nth as little delay as possii le, consistent
nth other interests Of the State, be offered
Dr. sale. But il is presumed the unexpected
svulsion in the finances Of the country,
as caused the delay. 1t is said that tho
legislature of last Session, in fixing tho
minimum rates cf these Lands at IS per
ere, did 50 under the condition that somo
ortiou of them would readily command
,;a ,>.;oo and that tho extansive IntarnaI