The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-03

~ " W SUN stupopTu taC0 US WVeu !
wish to bring the attention OF the commit.
tee. Ia the spring Of 1883, Travelled
through the central portion OF the then terri
tory Of Minnesota, and there was then scarce,
ly house in sight Occasionally you might
have seen the canvas covered wagon Of the
settler, but there were no titled fields, no
thing in the way Of agricultural improve
ment In the fall Of that same year, | trav-
eed over precisely tie same tract Of coun.
try. II had grown up into u populous set.
Element, You could travel for miles, aud a.
far AS the eye could reach. you sce homes
and busy settlers. Would this In been
SO, Mr.. Chairman. il the Spectator could
have gone on 10 these fair lauds with his
land warran,sY No. sir; every acre Of
that land would have been located.
The postponcmept OF the land sales. order.
cd in 1888, saved Minnesota, and made her
the prosperous State she Is 10 day. Three
foutths OF the population and wealth Of the
land is on that portion that was proclaimed
for sale and subsequently withdrawn by the
President. The small portion Of the State
sold u, that time, in 1858. then the most
populous, and really, the most desirable land
in the State. is now the least improved Of
any portion then proposed to be sold. The
cause Of this prosperity md progress was,
because man could locate only one hundred
aid sixty acres Of land, and that for occu.
patton and settlement. The settler could go
there happily confident. that in space Of
time unknown In other new States, he would
have surrounding him NIL the convenicnces
of civilized life. lie knew he must have
neighbors who had like aims and purposes
with himself
The contrast Of the two systems Is also
strikingly illustrated by tho present condi-
ton Of the northern pnrt Of Iowa. and the
southern part Of Minnesota. Minnesota Is
farther north than the State Of Iowa. Gen
temen may, perhaps, call it more inhospita-
BILE. No one would seek Minnesota In pre-.
ference to Iowa. other things being equal.
But cross the imaginary line that divides
Iowa from Minnesota. mud sec the striking
difference that exists between the prosperity
and progress on either side OF tho State line.
The lands In Iowa were subject 10 private
entry. and were located by spectators; and
you can travel for miles aud not find place
TO get mouthful TO eat, or drink Of water;
while on the other side Of the line you find
foe farms and happy homes.
The presumption policy has worked won.
derfny well In Minnesota. II has enabled
her 10 increase 10 population and prosperity
more rapidly than any other State 10 the
Union and, therefore. il Is that ] believe
that thi. policy should DO the general policy
Of the government In liz disposition Of the
public lands This bill proposes TO carry
out legtimately. fairly, and honestly, the
pre-emp,on law. But II Is said there arc
frauds committed under that law. VOL, ]
will grant that there are some frauds com.
mitted under IT, Sill. the evil Is not half
so great TO the State or people, as 10 permit
land to be located by private entry. and 10
have il all thus taken up by non rcsidcn,
spectators.
But, Mr.. Chairman. the law IL not 10 DO
fectve as gentlemen represent il TO be. One
case Of perjury, or one net OF fraud. should
not be- magnifed into u general condcmDa.
ton Of the presumption system. Is that the
correct way TO test the policy Of the pre-
emp,ion lawY II seems 10 me that it Is not.
I, is 10 be tested by i,s principles, by its gen.
al working. and by the fruits II produces.
But, again, Mr.. Chairman, this bill re.
ported from the Committee on Public
Lands, is framed with view 10 prevent and
guard agains, the very evil Of which gentle.
men complain. !, Is said that men go on
the lad, and after remaining on IL for
perhaps n night they pre- empt IT, That
may be true but this bill requires that the
settcrs shall remain on the land for three
months continuously before he Is cnti,'-
Cd TO pre- empt In that respect this Is m
improvement upon existing laws would
say. sir that am informed that the origin.
al bill was prepared under the supervision
Of the Commissioner Of the General Land
OIicc and the Secretary Of the Interior,
both gentlemen Of practical experience and
in whose opinions aud Judgment | have tho
greatest confidence.
would call the attention 81 the commit.
tee 20 the iac, that we al the West desire
TO build up prosperous States. We believe
that men, intelligent and Independent, free.
holders, constitute the State Men who I'LL
the land they own viii never nba,e one jot
0F title Of that true independence which will
give importance 10 the State. Such men
and such Stats add 10 the strength aud
greatness Of The Republc. We cherish tho
principle Of free labor. and 'fus, that the
policy OF the Government will not compel
,hose who are engaged in forming empires
at the West 10 pay tribute TO non resiicnt
land holder. We have scope ard verge
enough a. the West Tor few more States.
and i may be- as well Tor gentlemen To re-
member tia. God has cessci 10 make land,
but has not erased TO make men. Men are
constantly multiplying on the face Of the
earth We mus, therefore husband the
land which We have lett ~ a. 10 provide
homes Tor those who are 10 come after u.s.
Mr.. TIYLOE, Of New York. am anxious
10 give my support to this bill, and ! wou ID
therefore Ike the gentleman 10 explain
The egec, Of the apsD1men, tina, was
oHreI by The gentleman from Pennsylvania,
lNr Gro~.j both on the interest Of The
We., and Oh the income d the Treasury.
Mr.. Pnurs. Of Minnesota. will come
Il. IL