The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-06-06

Pebble Plunder--Cssgansle Land Svvsadls Bo-
From the watkins (soouyisr Co., N.Y. RspuSiscsnl
Oar readers are already that q gigantic
scheme which proposes 70 grant acres Of the pub
lie domaia each State Of tho Union every member
and Senator gress from The thirty Stales
before tina. body aud In danger Of becoming law the
State propose give mechanical and agrisuisa
education As the State Of New York has thirty two
Representatives and two her share OF the plum
der uncsr this mopstrous bill, viii be about seven hun
dreu thousard acres while that Of every other State will
be in proportion to its united representation.
this enormous land grand designed for tho pur-
poses Of general education. provided for mochani
agricultural educatiO Institutions undef
the direct control Of tho state would be comparatively
but two Institutions in each State that viii b en-
titled to the proceeds Of such grant In accordance with
instance pet Institutions aud bankrupt that. in which
the enlightened pu bic have confidence, tho uteror
objects OF the great scheme become aiarmngy obvious 70
this is, IN fact, well planned and deep laid scheme
for building up and endowhg certain mythical f mot my
thologca) humbuge, termed Peoples Colleges which
have been located, leo far they located ut ai)
through the influence or interested parties in subservien
cy TO their own pecunay ends and without the least re-
This monster land bill has first taken definite form in
the prescott Congress- and one Of the boldes and yet
of the most pausibe sw0dlos Of tho age There arc
thirty States In the Unlon, with an aggregate repro
sentaton rs foloNS-
Senators oa
Total $50
which, muitipiied by 20, 900, gives grand total Of
S,6cO ooo acres of land embraced in the scheme.
There every to believe that this unparalleled
nilusy had its origin in the State OF New YorK-wnich
Is ostensiby TO receive about ono ninth
the entire punder-snd that its godfather is Charles
Cook of the little and unimporant village OF Havana, in
reputason OF being one Of the most sagacious and
public plundesers in the State. He claims TO be
republican Of tho darkest dye but pracses the doctrine
only his Individual and local interests thereby
be advanced.
In the year 1853 the Legislature Of New York passed
Incorporating association 10 be known a. "rhe
Peoples College Association, with provso that 10
cation the proposed BUILDING should be made until the
sum Of sac 900 boon subscribed toward the object
view ana paid in. Tho constitution" moved, like
welcome educational ghost through the state for several
years. seeking among the true friends OF science and art
by Mr. Cook who conceived the idea OF locating at
his little and secluded village, three miles south OF the
mead OF senecs 'o1 Dot ~ o. ~
and finally succeeded in forcing illegal location NJ
point just east OF what used De known as Catharne
Swamp-one OF the NEST ineligible and miserable ooA-
tons for Peoples College, that could have been So
ected in the State Al the people at large felt no in
caton WINS passed in 1854 few weeks after the
selection made. The location was made on an in
eror farm belonging to Mr. Cook for which no deed or
other recorded obligation has yet been given Most OF
the lends OF the institution having become dis
gusted with the outrsg location abandoned the
erprse, and left the egtmate to be cared for by It's
real parent. The foundations OF building were com
menced the premises last sumner. but As nothing
could obtained from the State and nothing expected
by way OF private munifcepce other alter
native but abandon the work concoc and carry out
some plan the huadreds OF thousands OF dollars
requ purchase the farm aud sustain the institution
The plan hit upon been the "Unilsd States
Lana Plumber bill I" Rev. Amos Brown, A. H., for.
merly OF Ovid, Seneca County. was dssps'oa ned
Charles Cook, Thurlow Weed aud others have been
there a portion Of the time during the past
haDgs around the national capital like moral psst
lence, and by joining hancs with desigaiog men in
various parts Of the Un.on, all having similar ul
Innate object to accomplish. toe bill been carried
through tho House. causing great reocngs great guns
&C., NJ Havana, and awaits the nnal action OF the
Senate II be hoped that this august body will pause
and consider the strinsic merits of momentous
before they vote over 1000 600 acres OF the
public carry out the private schemes aud line the
pockets Of an intriguing ana public pun
derers. At all events, such bill Ia to become law,
should be amended tina, the several States may have
discretionary power in approerstng the proceeds TO
such Institutions the Legislature thereof may deem
be properly locsed ard honestly managed, instead OF
being compelled by the terms "mechsnicaP and
0agricultursl', 10 pass over the interest OF the
whole fund TO a few mushroom Institutions, paper,
like Cooks Peoples College a. hsvans The e1i, 10 It's
posed grant the state Of New York this mis- called
Peoples College, for there Is no osner Institution IN the
State avowed leading OBJECT OF which 10 teach
branches Of learning related to agriculture
the mechanic arts" The State required to pro-
vide, endow and sustain at least one college OF this
character Of the interest OF the land fund and
having, by enactment, already provided such 40 IN
suton We 90 not see under the terms OF this b why
hey not compelled 10 endow and sustain 1t,
even though II be located in a mud hole. And
although the bill prohibits the Of the fund an interest
the erection Of buildings provides that ten cent
OF the original fund (avas OF 20 600 acres) may be APP
proprated to the purchase Of lands Tor sites expert
mental farms " which will enable tho Cook College farm
to change hands the owners terms In conclu-
have only IN pray that this grand scheme OF ma
tiona plumber, for the aggraadlzenen or certain nd
yiduas and worthy localities In this and doubt not,
most other states in the Union will (uness amended)
sleep the sleep that knows waking in the tned States
enste, fall under The whitening veto Of President Blu.
chanan.