Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-12

SENATOR WILSON AND THE LAND GRANT CUES
TIoN.-During his recent canvass of New Hamp-
shire, Hon. Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts. had
occasion to alude, in his various speeches to the
policy of granting public nds to railroads. In do
ing SO. he mentioned the fact that large portions Of
some grants are comparatively worthless, owing to
their elevation and barrenness. In this connection
the reporters made him say that 1.-THE lands granted
TO the Northern Pacific road were not worth five
cents an acre. The cOnsDicUOus absurdifv Of the
statement CONVINCED all who are familiar with the
average excellence and fertility of the Northern
Pacific lands, that the senator had been mis- report
ed This proves 10 have been the case as win be
seen from the following prompt correction written
by Mr.. Wilson on having his attention called to the
subject by friends Of the Northern Pacific road AS
the bunder has had wide circulation in the press
OF New England it is to be hoped that the correc-
ton will receive equal publicity;
WASHINGTON, February 29, 1872.
send Won an extract from q speech made bv me
IN NeW Hampshire. 1t contains substantially what
said wherever / spoke, and contains nothing dis
paraging to the Northern Pacific road. nor any
thing SO intended. The misunderstanding of my
remarks is due to the reporters, who have nire9 IN
the several roads in taking down what said. am
sorry the mistake occurred as no such meaning was
intended as has been given to my words.
Yours truly, Il. WILSON.
The following is the extract referred to in MIR.
WILSON'S letter as giving the substance of what he
did say. After speaking Of the unprOductive and
hence Yaueess characterOf portions OF certain large
grants, AIr. Wilson added:
But you may tell me that millions of acres do
mated IN alternate sections to tine Northern Pacific
railroad, are rich wheat and agricultural lands
Well, these lands have been held for many wears bv
the United States, but the small farmers and land.
less men Of New England would not have given five
cents an acre for them. They would not 20 there at
al, because the region was inaccessible. Instead OF
taking those lands from the laudless men of Now
England. congress has, by donating alternate sec
ttons, provided tor the constructing of a railway
from the great lakes to the Pacific seas throug1
these vast spaces of territory that had never been
settled by white men. THIS railroad that is non hi
process Of coRStTct0R opens That magnificent gegion
TO settlement and occupation. Small farmers land.
men of the north and Of Europe, will now 20 there
buy farms at low rates from the company, or take
free homesteads from the alternative government
sections. These lands, almost worthless ,pif10ut n
TdHFOdd, Will be brought nearer to the landess
Wofklngmen of the east, Will be made into farms
aud that vast region of the globe tna for centuries
has been unoccupIed will bloom with the culture of
poor men who VIII stand on their own acres The
opening OF these vast spaces in the heart of the con-
dnent will enable the tOing men OF the east not
only TO obtain farms, but to earn millions OF dollars
by manufacturing engines, and rails Land
grants have been too freely given They have, how
ever, contributed to the rapid development OF the
country, and to the especial benefit of laborng men
snail, however, vote no more land grants unless
the price is limited to the price of the reserved Sec
uons-tWo and half dollars per acre. and sold
within limited period to actual settlers.-PhiLd,
Press.