Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1864-01-16

bsssAt Of her gvsssses, Ne 'ti.ls % sssA
- tbsae lands asrwer0 claimed Sby INST
cempaao. Ne such rslcass I : ses
eivsss Kor have my hrther Lac SEQ
cestie o. said Som( my.
There 81 anosher- coutl,ct - Title, b.
tween the DssMoiocs Navigation Com
pssy, slaimipg - grantee Of the STATE
asd the rsilsoad companies, touching
~hieh tho Report q the Register will
afford ron much valuable informstios.
II is very desirable that these conflicts
sEould b seitl,d, bscsebe % long -
they remain unsettled, the uncertsioiy Of
the title will prevent purchases from 81.
thsr OF the cJntes.ing parties, and the
lands sill remsin vacant.
The joint resolution Of Congres', Of
date March Sd, 1861, srd The act Of
Congress, Of date July 18th, 1869, con-
corning these lands hxve, IN my judg.
nent, put il in the power of the State TO
do sonething towards "a. amicabls and
equitable adju itment Of this difficulty,
aud recommend that 40 effort be msds
to that end. ! further recommend that,
il such effort shall fail, tho Attorney
General Of the State be directed TO bring
Of cause to be brought 10 the Courts Of
the United States, II it may b done,
ouch suit or snits - will procure from
the Supreme Court Of the United States
final decision Of these vcxed question:,
the SWAMP LAND oRANr.
recommend the modification Of the
law approved April 9Th, 1862, providing
for the appointment Of agents 10 regard
to these lands, 90 . to allow the appoint.
ment Of but . single agent on the part
Of the State, and 10 prohibit the appoint
ments Of special agents BY counties. I
am well satisfied that single agent, ap-
pointed by the State, will be able to eff
feet more towards . speedy settlement Of
the Swamp Land business Of the State,
at Washington, than = larger number
will do.
The same reasons which render desir-
able the settlement Of the conflicting
claims OF the Railroad companies, and
the grantees Of the State. to portions Of
the DesMoines River grant, apply with
equal force to the conflict Of title that
has arisen between certain counties and
the railroad companies ~ to portions Of
the Swamp Lands. Invite your careful
examination Of the question, whether
you can do anything to bring about Z
settlement Of these conflicting claims.
The Swamp Lands are granted to the
Suite upon the condition that the pro.
ceeds Of said lands, whether from sale
or direct appropriation, in kind, shalt be
applied exclusively, - far ~ necessary,
to the purpose Of retaining such lands,
BY means Of the levees and drains afore.
said" The State, BY accepting this
grant, covenau ed to perform this condi-
ton, either directly, OF BY those to whom
she granted the lands; and this obliga.
ton still remains, and must continue to
remain until it shall have been done.
recommend q careful examination ol
the legislation already had in regard ia
these lands, for the purpose Of ascertain.
ing il this point has been sufficiently Sc
cured, and supplying additional legisla-
ton, should it be found necessary.
invite your special attention to that
portion Of the report Of the Register fe-
lating to the decision Of the Secretary Of
the Interior changing the form and sub
stance Of the proof required, Of the
swampy character Of the lands sold by
the U. s. after the date OF the Swamp
Land Grant,for which the United States
are to indemnify the State, and the deci.
sion OF that officer, cutting OF al claims
for indemnity in counties where the
swamp land selections were made after
the Sd Of March. 1867; and ! recon-
mend that you take the action suggested
by the Register on these points. There
can be no good reason why the claims Of
Iowa, under this grant, shall not be set
tied upon as liberal terms as the ca u
Of other States; and il, by want>t coun.
ty organizations in . portion Of our
State, the proper steps were not taken
| tO U0CuT0 tuSSo lNUueS AZ tuOo0 SOuutIcsi
within the time limited by law, l have
n. doubt that Congress will, upon q
pro- er presentation Of the facts, extend
The time 20 that it may yet be done,
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE GRANT.
Under tho Act Of Congress, approved
Juiy I'd, 1852, granting lands to the
States and Territories which may pro.
vide Colleges for the benefit Of agriSul-
ture and the mechanic arts, this State i
entitled to receive 100000 acres OF land
upon the conditions contained in said
Act. These lands have been selected,
and the selections are now being exam
insd in Washington.
Among the conditions contained 10
the Act making the grant are the follow
ing: that no iortion Ct sad fund mean
ing the proceeds Of the Iands grantee,
nor the interest thereon. shalt be applied
directly or indirectly, under any pretence
VIVA ever, to the purchase, erection, pre-
se,vatiou or repair Of any building or
buildings" and that my State which
may take and claim tie benefit Of this
Act, 81 all provide. within five years, At