Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-01-13

A special dispatch from Madison an
nounces the choice Of Hon. ]. NJ. BIxG
BAN, of Jefferson, as Speaker of the As
seuibiY. In the caucus, the last ballo
stood, Bingham SO, Dewey Is. Chand
Ter 4. Hon. E. w. You've, chief clerk
Col. Johnson, sergeant at aims.
Railroad Lands I'm Pierce County.
There is, probably, no question which
more deeply interests the people Of the
county, and especially those settled in
the eastern towns, than the fiual DISPOSE
ton Of the railroad lands lying therein.
P,rties who have settled upon these
tracts. and made themselves homes there
Oh: who, by their industry, have sub
dued the forest and brought many acres
under cultivation 'nrc naturally arxiou.
TO know what can be done to secure tc
them the undisputed possession of a
.clain which they lhave improved by the
Tabor Of funny yenrs. They have sought
aid from thsstate legislature, when the
state llss'ro1u thority whatever to grant
it. They have expected relief from Con-
:gress. 'bat none has been granted. and
we much doubt if there win be before the
thine Of limitation OF the Land Grant ex.
pires, and the railroad company asks an
extension.
As the conditions Of the Land Grant
are but imperfectly understood by peo-
pie generally, we have given below
that portion of the act of Congress, ap-
proved May 5, 1854, which relates to
the land grant of the Tomah d st. Croix
Il. R., now known rs the West WiscoH.
sin. 1t is for tire construction Of this
road that the railroad lands ia this coun
ty are principally granted. The act
reads as follows:
SIC. 2. And be 1t further enacled,
That there be, and is hereby, granted to
the state of Wisconsin, for the purpose
Of aiding IN the construction of railroad
from the town Of Tomah, in the county
of Monroe, in said state, 10 the St. Croix
river or lake. betweea townships twen-
iy-five and thirty one, every alternate
section of public land designated by odd
numbers for ten sections in width on each
side of said rosd, deducting any and all
lands that may have been granted to the
state of w isconsin for the same purpose.
by The net of'congress granting lands to
said state to aid in the construction of
certain railroads, approved June three.
eighteen hundred and fifty six, upon the
same terms and conditions rs are con.
famed in the said act of June three.
eighteen hundred and fifty six. But in
casc it shall appear that the United
States have, when the line or route of
said road is definitely fixed, sold, res
0rved, or otherwise disposed of any Sec
tons, or parts of sections, granted as
aforesaid, or that the right of preemption
or homestead has attached to the same,
then It shall be lawful for any agent or
agents to be appointed by said state to
select, SUBJECT TO the approval of the
Secretary of the Interior. from the public
lands Of the United States nearest to tier
of sections above specified, rs much land
In alternate sections, or parts of sections,
as shall be equal to such lands as the
United States have sold, or otherwise ap
prOpristed, or TO which the right Of pre-.
emption or homestead has attached, as
aforesaid. which lands thus selected in
lieu of those sOld, aud to which pre- emp
tic n or homestead right has attached as
aforesaid, together with sections and
parts Of sections, designated by odd mum
bers as aforesaid, and appropriated rs
afOresaid) shall be held by sand state for
the use aud purpose aforesaid: Provided,
tina: the lands to be so located shall in
no case be further than twenty miles
from the line of the said road, nor shall
such selection or location be made in lieu
Of lands received under the said grant of
juno three, eighteen hundred and fifty
six, Tut such selections and locations
may be made for the benefit of said state
snd for the purpose aforesaid, to supply
any deficiency under the said grant of
June three, eighteen hundred and fifty
six. should any such deficiency exist.
SEC. 4. lind be It further enacted,
That the sections and parts of sections of
lands which shall remain to the United
States within ten miles on each lie of
said roals shall not be sold for less than
double the minimum price of tho public
lsHds when soil; nor shall any Of the
said reserved lands become subject TO pri
gate entry until the same have been first
offered st public sale at the increased
prce.
SIC. 5. Had be IL further enacted
That the timo fixed and limited for the
completion of said roads in the act asore-
said Of June three. eighteen hundred
and fifty six. be aRd the same is hereby
extended to period of five years from
and after tie pasenge Of this act. =
- = <
SEC. 4. ind be 10 further enacted,
That whenever the companies to which
this grant is made. or to which the same
may be transferred. shall have compile
sed twenty consecutive miles of any por-
aion of said railroads, supplied with all
accessory drains, culverts, yiaducts, eros
Sings, sidings. bridges, turn-outs. water.
ing places. DEPICTS, equipments, furniture
and all other appurtenauces of first
class railroad, patents she u issue convey
inc the right and title to said lands TO