The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-12-30

their contracts with parties VINO nao con-
tractel for the construction Of that portion
of the line from Hudson to Lake Superior
WAS fraudulen'ly broken, and "a O0O, 0UO
of bonds were issued bas,d upon this grant
when not a blow had been struck, or a
dollar expended on the work which was
des gned to be completed with the aid Of
the grant, and thus those who labored ear
nestly and effiectually to secure this grant,
have been cheated, and the people depriv-
ed Of the benefits that would have resulted
from honestly carrying out their designs,
and the State disgraced.
Fifth. The Northeastern grant was
frauduiently traflicked off to a Chicago
corporation that used it ouly in an abor-
tive attempt to relieve itself from tempo
rary Ell barraaslnent, and shift on 10 lnno-
cent parties the liabilities Of the company
to an amount SO large that were we to
compute it none could credit our figures.
The title to none Of these lands has yet
been passed to this company, though the
company has issued large amount of its
bonds based upon the grant.
FinalIy-tbe disposition of these grants
by Tie Legislature of 1856 was fraudulent
the acts relating thereto. Of the parties
who received the control Of them under this
fraudulent transfer, have been a cheat-a
swinde. How can the control be taken
from these parties by the Trustee! The
Legislature can pass laws repeating the
acts under which thee transfers We're in
| tended 10 be made. 1st, on the ground
that fraud was practised in obtaining the
passage Of these acts. %, on the ground
that the provisions Of these acts have been
violated 3D. on the ground that TO Ii ght
has become vested in those parties under
those acts, no consideration having been
paid or received. Let the Legislature pass
4 law under which these lards can be APP
propriated to the legitimate purposes for
which the grants We're made. Let Com
niss;oners be appointed to locate the lines
Of these Roads, and have the lands design
ated and appraised. Letcontracts be made
with parties under proper restrictions, to
build these Land Grant roads, in consider
alton of these lands. If bonds are to be
issued let the State do it, basing their ere
dit upon the value Of these lands, and the
Roads when constructed.
Heretofore Legislative Committees have
1t cost to the State Of many thousands
Of dollars, investigated the subject Of these
land grant frauds, but as these investiga
tons have been followed by no practical
legislative enactment, we must infer thai
they we've got up and prosecnt al for M
higher or useful purpose than to kill of
one set of politici; ms and bring others lite
place and power no more honest than their
predecessors, or they would do something
besides passing idle caucus or Legislative
resolutions denouncing the vices, frauds
follies and corruptions of those who pre-.
ccded them.
We say TO those now in power in the
State, you had better talk less about dead
cocks in the pit, and give the people those
reforms you have promised, and that all Sc
much d,sire. Pass laws under which these
Land Grant Roads will be built, and Rail
road as we'll as other swiudlers can in flu
ture, if caught, be properly punished.