Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-11-18
State Lands.

Ma. EDITOR AS the management
Of the Sta'e lands is q matter OF grea,
importance TO the people of Maine, allow
me to say word with reference 10 this
subject through your columns.
When the Aroostook Railroad Bill
was under discussion in the last L4cis.
lature, one Of the reasons Urged for its
adoption, was, that our wild lands are
burden to the STATE, and tia. the
giving Of them for the promotion of the
contemplated Railroad enterprise, would
be = most profitable disposition. But
are the public lands orly an incabus
upon the prosperity OF the State : anil if
SO. Why! lie, us understand the reason
Of the thing.
II was ba, few years ago that Maine
purchased of Massachusetts here riytt
and title TO large lot Of lands within
our State borders, at great cos: If
between three ana four hundred ,hGG-
sand dollars. When this purchase was
made it was generally considered to b. a
polite one. 1t was sid then thu. a
company o: private individuals stood
ready to pay more for these lands than
the State hao given. Now how docs 1t
happen that these aforesaid lands have
so suddenly become worse thin worth
less
The whole amount OF lands owned BY
the State is two million of acres; seven
hundred and fifty THOUSAND acres Of whlch
are in the County Of Aroostook; the re-
mainder is variously situated. Much
the larger sortion Of these lands is no:
fit for tillage, but valuable for their
TIMBER only. know men in Aroosto9k
County and Massachusetts, who had re-
fused one dollar an acre for land Wing
amidst the State lands Of Aroostook. =
They say,-"We can sell dollars worth
ofstumpage from every acre, and Still
own the SOIL l presume there is some
Of the State lands in ARGOS. ook Of which
the stumpase is comparatively w rttle-s
yet the same may BE good settling land
A great deal has been sail recently a.
bout aiding the settlers Of Aro STOCK
This, ought to be done. Every relson4-
ole iuducement should be held GU. to the
sctu.l settlers. in order - s-cdr. IA. &C.
cupancy OF our wild Ia ds.
In bygone years it vas ;ae policy q
Maine to permit her timber lauls x
large amount of money was received il
this way. Gov. Moyfi., in Is, rs
sage recommended renewal Of, rs pol
icy. Du.ins the time ta4: the SAFE -
refused to sell the stump 3 o:o.r !4ad.
private land propri-;ors have realized
hundrcds Of thousands Of io,l=rs g pa--
sucing an orposi,e course. Way is J:
tina, that policy which il So pr,a:4J,e
for individuals is otherwise - .,.e So:
know that the stunpAge q t4c SAT-
Land il sold as il can DC an o4.h::o y
for one dollar per acse, woulI PIT, IL
briei space OF timc, two a-...Jas ..
dollars into the State Treasury. l.ayia.
the soil in the possession u: :.e Site.
unInjured for sett!in. purposes /: Is
not for the interests o. private .ani OWL
era 70 have the Site PEI nit haT Timber
lands. for, OF course, such pIi!e; woa.l
Increase the competition among the sc.-
ers Of stumpage. But is FOX the IN
terest Of the taxpayer tia: these Eds
should be permitted for they would then
become source Ct revenue to the State.
instead Of bling as now al o4tga an t.!t
Of expense.
The timber upon orr public lands can
be sold for enoogh 10 pay the Stt.e dbl.
and ask what reasonable objection can
be urged against pursuing THIS ooIse ?
Why not act agIceably l. tae suggestion
Of Governor Mofr.l! Let this poicy
be pursued. ard vii be bound ,hat H.
one vii. urge in future the worthles,ness
Of our unsettled lands as ! reason tos CIV
ing them away.
The proper course for the State t. take
is 10 sci! her lands 10 tie actual settlers
alone-the timber lands sha uld be per
mited. Whc,. the lands were bought OF
Massachusetts, il was expected that SUI
fc;ent :imb' would be sold. not lnly To
Jay the expense incurred. 10 make them
profitable investment; and they wou i
be SO underj ud cious management. Ii,
not the people of Maine be. taxed r.
necessarily aud longer, to take case Of
the State lands. Ii the p session Of
wild land impoverished individuals as it
does the State. that class Of persons fa-
millarl y known as "lanI mo..opoI.sts."
would be exceedingly sui.l. hope the
atte n:ion Of our next Legislature Will be
given to this subject. Let Us see ii our
public lands cannot be Y1de to pay
The matter Is to- important to b: ne
elected. JusTIrIA.
Buck6cld. Aug 20, 1859
Ok oid Democrat