The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1866-11-15

Bh a. lind Ssl1rua1
y. niFc HILL. ID1ToR. :.
aHThu11day, Nov: %, 1850 '
lHJun1oup ADsoR1Elon o. LANDS.
-5as}s.} IN 24-s}E f&sta Et3SaGit;
L II has se many ysazs bssi = policy
With or Government 10 Esasoarags III.
tssnal i1provsmsuts and institutions Il
learning and charity BY hberal doaa-
lions # The public lands. Coasidss-
abls divsssity Of opinion has existed ~
70 the wisdom OF this-nsny eoate1d.
ing that these lands should either be
1ssd for the benefit ct tho revenue Of
the government or che held strictly in
reserve for actual settlers. It il no
part Of our purpose 10 discuss this:
point At present. What We desire to
doin tho present article is-~1 j.. ..44
Erss. TO urge upon the govern
ment, through our Members Of Con-,
grss and Senators, the Withdrawal, at
the earliest possible day, Of al lands 10
this District, At least, from being sub
jset to private entry. The Absorption
#of fine agricultural lands in this section
BY spsculators il enormous, and unless
speedily stopped must result ininjury to
the State. By the Agricultural COL
lego Act Of 1862 vast amount Of scrip
was thrown into the market. This
scrip can now be purchased at from
dzty to eighty cents per acre, aud
Is being hid in vastquantiiss upon the
surveyed hrds to tho west, northwest
and northeast Of this place. BY this
means, large tracts Of superior lands
ars paadng into tho hands and under
the control Of Spectators, who hope to
realize great advances from the tide Of
emigration pouring into the State. The
result may readily be folsesn. The
people who come are in search Of home
stsads, and the word will quickly pass
baek to their friends waiting in tho
older States for tho message that shall,
bring them to the West, and to the
countries Of the OH World, that tho
best lands are in the haads Of specu-
latos who insist upon high prices for
what has been looked forward to rs
homestsads. But short~tins would be-
required to check tho flow Of immigra-
ton, and eventually to turn it else.
where. The practical workings Of this
can b seen in our own State, and At
no great distance. ..:...
i Let our people urge and insist that
the remainder Of the public lands be
Withdrawn from market, and rendered
liable only to presumption and home
stead settlement. An Act Of Congress
might be passed making the Agricul-
turAl College Scrip, like Land Warrants,
receivable in all cases Of presumption,
or homestead combinations; and thus
no injustice would be done The, hold.
en- Of Scrip, while the right Of the
settlers, or those who desire to become
settlers, would be conserved.
This i, = matter Of great importance
to Minnesota, aud one which must be
pressed upon our delegation in Con-
gress. 1t is question Of no abstract
justice to s.y that these agricultural
lands belong to the people who are
wiling to settle upon and improve
them. When they. push far out upon
the frontier, opening up and develop:
ing new tracts Of country, building up
towns, adding to the wealth of the
country, and strengthening the whole
nation by their energy, industry and
indomitable perseverance, neithe. they
nor their friends who may follow, should
BY any possibility be met by the specu-
lator who would grind them down BY
demands Of high prices for the hnd.-.
These broad acres that stretch hundreds
Of miles westward should only be held
by the government for the benefit of the
people, and should never be troddea BY
the banefal foot Of speculation.
The danger to which We refer has
greatly increased Of latey and there is
need for prompt action The people
themselves should take hold of the
matter: They should address the De-
paztment At Washington, and also our
Congregational delegation, urging the
immediate vithdraw,l Of these lands. Il:
Second. That no more lands shall be
granted by Congress for the building of
railroads, OF for the benefit Of any cor.
poration or corporations, Institutions, or
for any other purpose except actual
settlement. We believe that r,ilroad
land grants have been necessary-but
let them stop. This State. has had
enough.
Third. That tho Legislature shall
make no more Swamp Land: Gr.nts.-
A great deal Of land given by, the
Government to the State ~ swamp
land u ~ suitable for cultivation a s,y
that can be found. In many cases It is
al The more desirable for piece OF rich
meadow, which Is the only approach it
eou)d offer to tho character Of "svamp
hnd." These grants; and indeed Ill
bear specially heavy upon The Northern
portion Of the State. The lower coup-.
tiss bsisg sealed earlier, have lee ~