New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-12-07
LAND and ITS USES.
tho world.

Congress- has granted to three several COM
panics large tracts of the treeless plains which
stretch from the neighborhOod of the Missouri
up to the base of the Rocky Mountains in aid
of tho construction of Railroads. Two of those
railroads were completed and in operation
several years since, yet the lands attract few
buyers and settlers not that they are STERILE
as was formerly supposed, but because or the
absence. or exceeding scarcity OF wood ana OF
water HcreupOn, the Railroad Companies arc
mpclled to dig Artesian wells in some places,
to resort to windmills and kindred devices for
raising water to the surface at others, anu TO
planting belts of timber, nurseries OF forest
trees, &C., &C., in order not only to supply
the primary wants of the first settlers, but TO
show to others how easily the discOuragcmcnts
which at first blush seem insuperablc may DO
overcome.
Every such plantation, at first 80 insignifi-
cant, will in few years become an OASIS IN
the great buffalo pasture and tho nucleus or
thriving village. Stores, shops, &C., Will
gradually gather around it, each minlstering
to the wants of wide circuit of cattle and
shcep-hcrders whose habitations of turf or
sod arc scarcely distinguishable from the vast
years will find them rich in stock and ready
to build and furnish stately houses. Thus
the Plains will he gradually checkercd with
thrifty settlements, which, in tho absence of
Railroads, thoy could never have invited.
Private enterprise unaided, would never have
betcd such vast expanses of desOlatiOn with
railroads; while, in tho absence of railroads,
occupation by civilized men was impossible.
We welcome every proof that the owners and
managers of these Immigrant railroads COM
prcbend tho fact that tho lands were granted
them in order that they might he settlcd-that
they are not to lie waste until civilization shall
slowly and gradually approach and Overspread
them. A company which should simply hold on
to it's lands until they shall be desired and
purchased for occupation, would not fulfill its
compact with the Nation in the liberal spirit
which dictated the grant. Hence, We learn
with pleasure that the Northern Pacific Com
pany at a recent meeting,
Resolred, That tho Chairman Of tho Committee on
Lands is hereby authorized to proceed n his discretion
to organize system Of Nurseries Of forest and other
the line Of tho Road and to take the necessary
steps the employment OF persons and otherwise to put
the system into operation
In the same spirit, tho Directors of this
Road, at recent meeting,
Resolrcd, That Land Exploration tickets over the
Northern Pacific Railroad DO sold at full fare, and that
persons who take such tickets and. within sixty days
purchase lands Of tho company to the oxtent
Of forty shall be credited with the faro
such purchase and DO entitled to free tickets for them
solves and families when going to solo upon the lands
| purchased
This may be fairly deemed liberal; yet it
is no moro than good business management.
The Railroad needs the settlers as much as
they need the Railroad, and it should deal gen.
erOusly in order to attract them. And, should
it seek to enrich itself at their expense, they
will simply avoid its lands and settle on the
alternate sections still belonging to the Gov
eminent, 80 that the Railroad will sell no
lands Of all.