New-York tribune., 1872-03-11
ST. CROIX L1ND-CRANT.
To me Ediior Of The Tribune.

|
SIR: Among the notices by the Press OF the
efforts being made In Congress extend the time Tor
building the railroad from Lake st. Croix in WISCONSIN,
to Superior and Bayfield, Lake Superior, correspond
| ent OF THE TRIBUNE says:
"a variety of influences, proper and impropes nave nave
bers were appealed TO in behalf OF Cornell UniveTs
which has located Agricultural College scrip in North
Western Wisconsin. and could cell It's lands ior uch
higher price If the road should be built"
do not know whether correspondent regards the
above proper improper influence. IT Is never
theloss that have appealed to some OF the MEM
bers OF the NewYork delegation in Congress, and TO
others Of my acquaintance, IL consistent WIN their
views of their duties as members OF Congress- TO vote for
the bill which had passed the Senate extending ihe time
to the State of Wisconsin for building the railroad from
Lake St. Croix Superior and Bayfield, and asked IT
upon grounds stated that the building OF tnat road
would increase the value of the lands had entered Win
College landscrp in that portion OF the State of "scoh
| sin for the Cornell University
It's with knowledge the fact that the building Of
railroads through the public domain will increase the
value of the lands through which they are built that
Congress has donated, and in my Judgment wisely do
mated the alternate sections Of public lands for greater
or less distance each side of several railroads to aid and
| TINS secure their construction.
This policy having been adopted by Congress, and hav
ing resulted so favorably In the direction of the Con-
grcss aim, / had proper and legitimate right to
count upon it among the elements OF value In the
lands righfHy locating for the endowment OF an
institution OF learning had knowledge OF the fact,
and could oresee that the time limited by Congress
would expire before the road bult; and 81 had,
could not suppose that policy would be applied to
this grant and the extension of time refused.
therefore located the lends for the University and.
when found this element sf value clipping cut from
under them by this apparent change c policy on the
part Of Congress, appealed TO members OF Congress
from my vote for the bill extending the
time building the road, thus vindcatng the good
faith Of Congress and extending proper and legitimate
aid to the cause OF education.
This regard proper appeal TO the NevYork dele
CATION, and have clear conviction In ny mind that
respond fayorably TO the appeal will be re-
gardcd by their constituents having perfol their
duty reference to this As TO the uss OF lin
proper influences" in favor of the bl, know OF none,
and do not believe that any have been used by the
friends OF the bill and your 'spOndcnt Properly
| says " 6ld these runors not kr0ri. 10 haze any
| tyundatioE"
Beyond the interest which ! represent in this meas
ure the good faith OF Congress il invctved nasnreh az
number of settlers purchased lands the
line Of this proposed read Al double minimum" prices,
rcylng the building Of the road through the AID of
the grant for the greater value of her homesteads
and farms. understand the Government has received
of these settlers $4,000 in ~ the minimum
price land along hs route, which it ia suggested
thai Congress may bay5 to refund 20 1.-THE settles
If the time is not extended and the nd built But
wat equity or justice world there he in sueh settle
of the matteTl II the road is built the farms OF
these settlers viii he worth from ten to wenty dollars
per THAI they will be without the road i'll
vOlviug OF many millions Of dollars loss TO these
worthy pioneers; AID what good does C'ngreSs thus
secure Tho should not act N bad faith
toward those settert should not impair 'he value of
lands located wits scrip donated for the education Of
the industrial olasses by Congress- for Tho Cornell
University. IL should erin this much needed i'm
,f lV ts sxfg ii
for building thls road for W it the seci the
prail1cs Minnesota Iowa. Ind Nebraska ~ get the
most direct counectio with the purI.s of Wisconsin,
and con. uonty the best .gppiy Of uD -" q the
cheapest -rics.
IL is for such reasons nave rpprArd {" ano"rs of
Congress to vote bill, acd my jndgmcrt fully
nroves of tbc act iop EzRA CORNELL.
y