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

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in June 1871. Until that time these
lands nfe held in trust by the state anil
will only conveyed TO the railroad
company when the conditions expressed
in section 2 have been fulfilled. When
the company ihss obtained the land by
tn. fulfllmeEt Of its contract, it is then
the absolute owner of that portion oil
the grant. When the twenty miles OF
road have been built which will entitle
them to the lands located in this county,
parties wishing to purchase must apply
to the railroad company, and settlers
who have made claims upon these lands
will have TO look to the company for a
fnal adjustment, and from it obtain q
title to the lands they occupy.
But until the company fulflls the con-
diiions of section z, no title can be had
from that source, and before the time of
limitation expires June 1917 as extern
ded in section 5, the general government
cannot recognize the claims Of the settler.
During taIs period the state simply acts
as the agent of the Government, and, as
such, has no authority, Legislative or
otherwise, 10 give to any one title to
these lands, 1t is evident, therefore,
that so long as these lands remain in
their present situation. no good and valid
title can be acquired either from the
state, the government, or the railroad
company.
The West Wisconsin Railway is be-
ing rapidly built and is expected to reach
the Lake 81. Croix before the grant ex-
pires. Should this be the case, the com
pany will obtain poss, ssion of the lands
in this county and dispose of them as it
deems best.
There is still another condition which
the railroad company must fulfill in Or
der 10 obtain all tracts now designated
as railroad lands. Section 2, it will be
seen. provides that every odd numbered
section, for ten sections in width on each
side of the road, shall comprise the grant.
and any deficiency that may arise from
sales or entries upon these sections, prior
to making the grant, shall be made up
from the next tier of sections, but res
trictiDg their location to within twenty
miles from the line Of the road. If
therefore any of The railroad lands in
Pierce county are located more than
twenty miles from the line of the rosd
when it is built, the company must fail to
acquire them,
The road is going to Eau Claire. It's
route thence to the st. Croix will settle
the land question one way or the other.
If it enters Pierce county near the north
ern line, on the old survey, as we expect
it will, tho twenty milo limit will en-
brace nearly if not all, of the railroad
lands in this county. If, however, the
road goes TO Menom:nee, thence north.
westward through tho center of st.
Croix county, the company forfeits its
claim rpon goodly portion of the lands
10 this county. This limit of twenty
miles is to great to afford us full protec-
ton. Ifit were ten miles we would
either secure the road or the lands of
Pierce county would not aid in its con
construction. ~
If by some cause the West Wisconsin
should fail TO build the twenty miles that
entities them to acquire the lands in this
county, before the land grant expires,
a memorial will be presented TO Congress
for an extension. Then will be the
proper time TO ask that provision be
made for such protection of the actual set
Ter upon those Ian DIS, as will shield him
from the rapacity ola soulless corpora
ton. And any extension of the grant
that contains no such provision should
be resisted to tho bitterr end. In the
meantime it is best TO hold the company
TO the provisions of the net above quoted
prevent il possible, any extension of
the twenty mile limit or the appropria.
ton of any lards belonging to other
grants, to make up any deficiency that
might exist should the road be built else
where, outside the limit specified.
Meeting OF the Farmers Club.