Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-09-03
The Pre-Emption Act once More.

That puissant and most adorable being,
p. V. WISE, again strikes an attitude
and makes terrible onslaught on us,
his "puisne friends" through the last
issue of bis organ at Ellsworth. Tho
article in question is little over a column
in length, and is intended for crusher,
which should cause our hearts to quake
and knees TO waggle, from sheer fright.
But luckily, we were not affected with a
very powerful scare and hence we live to
chronicle our continued existence.
In the JOURNAL of August goth, we
showed plainly that the legislative en-
actment authorizing railroad lands to be
pre- -empted was entirely and unequivocal.
ly worthless as it now stands. This caus-
ed lively commotion in WIsE's camp
and aroused desire for revenge. Hence
the resort to abuse Of the JOURNAL. But
while wildly and recklessly f1ourishing
his weapons, intent only on our utter
annhiation, he has himself, by one
fell swoop of bis irresistible pen, pune,
tured this dear child of his creation
and let out the bowels of whatever has
been claimed for the validity Of the law.
All that we have at any time claimed
is that this enactment authorizing these
railroad lands to be purchased under GER
tain conditions, is at this time void and
of no effect. And we desired that those
occupying the lands should SO understand
the matter in its true light, which would
preclude the possibility of their being
swindled.
AT last Mr.. WISE has acknowledged
all that we have endcayored to prove.
With great apparent concern he cries,
"never allow the bill extending the grant
to pass, unless it contains a provision
making valid the state pre- enption law
of 1861" This, then, is the upshot of
the whole matter. All the authority any
one has for making purchases of these
lands outside Of the railroad companies,
is based on this illegal act, and which in
turn is based on resolution which had
been merely introduced into the house of
representatives.
Being perfectly informed as to the il
legality of this act Mr.. WISE has yet in
duced these men who have made them.
selves homes upon.railroad lands, without
a clear title therefor, and who now in
the uncertainty Of their position are will
ing to grasp at straws" for relief, TO ex-
pend still further their hard earned dol
lars-a good share of which has gone
into his own pocket,-in taking out pa
pers which arc of no earthly force or
benefit. And now, after having involved
these people who can i'll afford to spend
their money foolishly, be sees the necessi-
ty of at once moving to their relief.
We, too, are of the same opinion, and
judge it emineutly proper for action to
be taken in the matter and something
secured, be it ever so little. in return
for W hat has already been expended.
AS we stated in previous article, it
is through no i'll will to any one connect
ed 10 this matter that we have undertake
en- to expose the inconsistency of this
pre- emption law. Could such a law be
enacted, which we hardly think is
possible, it would certainly receive our
hearty appreciation.
But it is needless to extend this con-
troversy as it has been acknowledg
that the law is =" not worth the paper on
which it is printed"