Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-08-20
The Presumption Law.

The readers Of Mr.. WIsE's sheet will,
perhaps, remember seeing an editorial,
in lis last weeks issue, Of highly SEN
sational character. It was strange me-
Iange Of invective, panegyrie, politics and
sundry WISE sayings and WISE doings.
Upon the mere personal abuse of the
editors Of this paper which it contained,
we Lave no word of comment 10 offer.
The portion devoted to the railroad lands
and the defense of WIsE's pre-cmp-
ton scheme, we will briefly consider.
We stated, few weeks since, when
speaking of these railroad lards, that the
presumption title, based upon the law
which p. V. WISE has the doubtful
honor of fabricating, and which many set
tiers upon railroad lanls 10 this county
complied with, through his representa-
lions, was not worth the paper it is print
cd on. That was our opinion then, and
we still adhere TO it. The brilliant gen.
ius who presides over WIsE's sheet has,
at last, flown to the defense of his pat
ron snint, and with single, flimsy mean
ingless statement expects its readers TO
infer that we know nothing about the
law, or the title it pretends secure to the
settler. We are then accused of being
dead against it not because it is
wrong, but because p. Y. WISE was the
father of the law. The fact that the
pre- emption law passed last winter was
child of his creation awakens no feelings
Of env. or jealousy within US. 1t rather
strengthens our opinion Of IFS utterly
worthless character. Most cheerfully do
we give to him the honor Of its parentage.
Taking common sense view OF
this matter, the situation Of these settlers
upon railroad lands is very easily seen,
and the way they will get tile 10 the
land, according to law, can DO easily do
moustrated. These lands were granted
to railroad company, with certain re
strictiOns and limitations. Whom the
company has built given number miles
Of railroad it is permitted TO sell a
portion of these lands, and when the
road is completed the company viii
have possession of all the land granted
to it, by congress. After the act Of
congress granting these lands was pass
ed, and the State had chartered the road,
the lands embraced in the grant be-
!onged to the railroad company and no
one else. The general government has
no claim upon them during the limitation
OF the grant, and the state has nothing
to do with them whstever. When set.
lie: makes home upon those lands he
is aware they belong neither to himself
nor the Government, nor the state. If
the railroad company builds the number
of miles required and fulfils the condi-
lions of its charter it comes into ab
sOlute possession and will dictate such
terms with the settler as will be most ad-
vantngeous TO itself. If it fails 10 fulfil
the conditions Of the grant and the time
of limitation expires, these lands revert
to the general Government unless the
grant is extended by congress and the
settler can preempt thOm as government
lands in the manner prescribed by law.
The time of limitation of this land grant
does not expire till next June, and at the
next session, congress is expected to
grant an extension of time, so that in i
probability the settler will have to get
his title from the railroad company as
soon as it acquires full possession.
Now will the wise author Of That arti-