The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-01-24

Each successive Congress is pCffionc1
to make grants ~ land from the public
domain f.r the purpose Of aiiin= in tho
construction of projected lines oi railway.
and number OF such petitions are prepare
my Tor tle present session ln tho new
Aul th-lly settled States, whose material
progress may he greatly stimulated by tho
Introduction OF railroad facilities, h il
easily made apparent that. without the aid
oi land grants. lt ls impossible 10 establish
railways owing 90 q paucify of capital and
population; hence Congress is persuaded
that it will he a meritor0us act 10 aid the
young state IN developing us resources. hy
liberal grants irom The National domain
within Us borders. And. if these grants
are properly guarded and property applied
there can be mo- doubt OF their benin clal
effect upon the general prosperity OF the
country.
Unfortunately, however. much Of The
prev .lus legislation n this regard has been
careless and hurried, so as 10 work. IN some
Instances. considerable injustice 10 the
struggling settlements, and 10 retard instead
of stimulating the growth OF tle State.
Through the action Of Congress and the
state legislature, the lands are withheld
from market perhaps for a number of years,
: while the projected railroad Is not only not
! Ia process OF building. but does not prom
! ise a remote prospect Of completion
Menp vi t6r iee. Sftidsmf89i irRmtalate rih,affs,
OF settlements contiguous 10 the projected
/ railroad route.
Tho m0ius 0oergnil Of the evil has late
! is been illustrated IN various instances. a
number of heavy capitalists either own or
! buy large tracts Oi land ln unsettled p0r-
tions OF Young state, lying somewhere
near a general line between two prospect
I lively important points They form Them
selves into a railroad company. obtain a
( legal organization. ask Tor and procure a
large grant OF lands. locate road hne in
such meaudering course that % fray1rses
4 The property of each member NJ Tho Com
pany. and then they are prepared a. do
business-which business Is not TO con-
! struct 4 railroad, but 10 sell their ianis
and if possible, Their railroad charter, al
a GOOD figure. Perhaps, for The sake of
appearances. and for q better effect upon
the market little work along the pro-
posed Lines IS actually done And thus.
FOR hall dozen or more years, the granted
lands are kept out Of market ior actual
settler. aul everybody who really desires 0r
might he induced % construct a railroad ls
prevented from so doing by the pre0c lpl-
ton OF tbe route and the grant The peo-
pie Of ile injured sections become opposed
20 an railroad grants beheve.ng them in-
senerabe from swindlng. and tie spirit "a
d enterprise and progress receive severe
aud injurious check.
We hope. therefore, ihat Congress Ril
, scrltiaze With the most careful attention
every proposition that may come before il
l. for grants OF land ln aid Oi railroad or otH-
. or entcrpl aud, In case where grant.
are made that they wll be conveyed upon
% strugenly guarded terms aud especially
SD a. n0t to allow Tie Withholding NJ SUCH
lands from market beyond "a brief period
% IL has been too customary in The past Cd
.0oS upon tAe public domain as an exhaust
Jess treasury. from which AT sorts 81 spC
ciJu- schemes were 70 Doc iei. rc-4rlic-- n
+ economy Or The public Interest Blt Obj
% truth is. every acre 90 public land is equiv
= a.ent 10 its value in cash, and, lu sac" q
y our national debt Congress su0lli Ne "a
= cautious .u making appropriations ~ -sl
as in making appropriations ~ money -lo
r Withholding either from strictly iudic.uu
ilve-,melts fJT The public good, bal guard
DE each wlth the most Jealous cglserva
tism -Chcag0 Trijune.