The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-03-24

A Few Facts showing the I.jurtou. Con-
sequesces Resulting from the Policy oS
| Putdiaw the Public Lands In the Mar
| Net befove they are Settled On.
Editors OF the Pioneer aud Democrat
In the Spring of 1858, . few families
from Philadelphia landed at st. Paul TO Nc
lect new homes, on government lands, as
near to the metropolis as they could find it
practicable. All surveyed lands within 40
miles Of ST. Paul had been entered by spec
ulators or claimed by preemptors except in
one direc,ion--north OF ST. Paul. and 30
miles distant. Here the speculator had not
ventured. The soil was ascertainsd TO be
in general Of good quality. with supply Of
tamarac and other timber beautiful lakes
and streams Of pure water extensive mead
ows, and other advantages attractive to the
settler. About two sections aud . half
we're entered, and a small settlement com
menced, and this nucleus having been formed,
other families began TO come and the pros.
pect appeared very promising ,or the sur
rounding country " become settled within
the course Of two or three years. But be.
fore two years had elapsed oil the lands in
that and the adjoining township were enter
ed for speculation by non-residents, not even
leaving an acre Of swamp or bog. This at
once put stop to the further progress Of
this young settlement in the way OF add
tional settlers, and now at the end Of four
years, this settlement is in about the same
condition, as regards, numbers, that it was
at the end Of the first year With the nat.
ursl advantages existing 10 this district oi
country, all the land suitable for farming
purposes. in the neighborhood Of this settle
ment, would, most undoubtedly, have been
settled on by this time, il the government
had adopted the policy Of allowing none but
the actual settler to obtain possession Of the
soil, by Withholding the lands from sale I'M
Ill settled. The settlers have no good rea-
:
sou, however, to complain Of the spectators
operations as long as the government places
the public lands within their grasp. The
only remedy tor this curse Of land specula-
ton is to be found in the policy adopted by
our government at Washington.
About the time this Philadelphia settle.
ment commenced, the lands in the adjoining
county on the west were surveyed aud open
for presumption, and during the past two or
three years several new settlements have
commenced in different locations in this
new survey. All these lands, however, are
now advertised to be sold in May next but
there il not one in ten Of the settlery who
can pay Tor their claims. The greater part
Of those who have selected their homes in
this district are honest, industrious, useful
citizens, who were induced 70 believe tba,
they would not be called upon 10 pay Tor
their claims until the lands were generally
settled on. which would require some four
or five years yet, giving them time TO be
prepared for payment.
II has been stated by those who have had
good opportunity Tor obtaining correct in.
formation 10 the matter. that the PresideBt
has been misinformed ~ relation TO the
character Of these lands shat i, has been
represented 10 him that they are oil pine
lands when in fact there is not more than
one-si1th Of the townships plnerics. II the
above " correct, NO may indulge the hope
that when our worthy chief magistrate IL
correctly informed in regard 10 these lsbds.
that b. will reverse bis decision, aud with
draw III but the pine lands from the market.
II these lands were kept open for actual
~ttIcrs and a guarantee given that they
would not be placed 10 The market for four
or five years, the settlements already com.
menced would undoubtedly grow and -four
lsh and bew O1es would b. started schools
would be made up, and the various branches
Of the mechanic ars required IN every set-
,lenent, would find support. Bat II these
lands are sob Il will PROSTATE the energies
and blafs the hops Of many industrious.
worthy fsmiIics, and 10 eject convert the
district into pace iDr Wild asiraals, instead
u happy home for the industrious, hardy
p,oDeer.
Again II ibsse lands are sold, who will
~ bsueftsd ? Certainly not the govern
mat treasury. Observation-Disclosures oi ID,
aud will m1~t surely " purchased with IaDd
warrant. Tn capitalists sbO have b'en
Specializing In land warrants, ,hsir agents
and the officers in 'be land onise. are he
only persons ~ b. benefited.
1be iol!o~ing q1o,a,IO, IA from sps,sch
delivered 10 the United state. SENATE, BY
H., Iuas.. n Hyxyox Ia 10 IN The
subject o. the "P,1p,y d'Yo"i'on ~ pc
pplbl,r Lahd' z"
The ff..holasr "a III. sA,arsl supporter Ola
free goysfumsnt and Il should he iss p0icy
ofrspahic, % multiply Their r..hsiisfs 4. Z
!. the perry n nsnaFe hes to msnply tenants.
We us afsygbIlc, AMI ss si.h - cobnhas -.