New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-18
THE MINORITY REPORT.
40 PERSONAL INTEREST CONTROVERSIAL REAR
RANGEMENT RECOMMENDED.

4
| RANGENENT RECOMMENDED.
Ex-GOv Horatio Seymour makes minority
| report In the He says "a.
The undersigned, one OF the Commissioners appointed
to the condition OF the College Land Grants
| so called" respectfully reports That he does not
agree with all the opinions held by his colleagues with
regard to the subjects referred 10 them Tue most
inquiry n a OF cus GT Hd OF he
iature referred to in the resolutions have been
Sf ths college lands r The conclusion reached by his
associates this point are not IN his JUDGMENT IN ae
state or General Government, but conflict with
them careful consideration he cannot resist the
legislature will Involve violation Of the pledges made
by this State to Congress when it accepted the grant
that 1t will act OF injustice TO other States, and
viii he made the groundwork for large claims against
the treasury OF NewYork-results which his colleagues
will deplore as deeply as himself
MIR seymour, after a brief examination Of the law,
says does not think that there are any serious
differences OF opinion between the Commissioners as To
the most equitable of dsposing OF the subject
ferred to them is nevertheless true that they do not
agree in their opinions To the legal effect OF the
contract made by Mr.. Cornell with the State.
His associates hold tna corne 6 sSp'ra aSa wIi
his profits made from land part OF the purchase
money and subject 10 restrictions OF the act OF Con
gress" After "A careful examination OF this whole sub
ect undersigned Is forced to the that the
construction which merging tne Two 81 f1hds INTO
10 Congress- out II also makes large eams against the
e adds that another evil which win follow from the
reached by the majority Of the 9so
the state-a claim which no lapse Of time win bar: and
Conclusion %nln S accepted The first suggestion a
that there is grave doubt whether the
distinct funds, either OF which should not be in all
things subject 90 the act OF Congress donating lands to
the State was made by the Controller 1869 He
fairly accepts the consequences OF such doubts aud ad
mts the result which must follow from the decision that
the Cornell Endowment Fund" is inconsistent with
MI Seymour certihes to the fact that witness has
complained that Mr. Cornell had sought TO gain from the
himself family On the contrary, those who had any
Complaints 10 make expressly disavowed any auch i-
tenton on their part. In conclusion. Mr.. Seymour
says " The undersigned regrets that he does not
agree with his colleagues as to the effect of the
co ntracts aud the the legislature enter
tans respect for their opinions He constrained
by his convictions to urge that no action position
shall be ken which will expose NewYork the charge
that it violates its pledges to Congress- or which will
ave rise the claim that the State Treasury must
bear the cost Of taxes and expenses for the lands
IN Wisconsin or Kansas or which will release Mr..
Cornell from his contract, or give him right
10 complain that he Is deprived OF the object
which It was agreed the contract should
effect He believes the contract Is valid one. and that
the honor land of the state require that II be
corried out in accordance with its terms lie also ad-
that the trust be closed up rs soon as practicable
and that the proper way TO bring this about will be to
have an open public sale upon terms WHICH VIII attract
regard TO the legal questions, II ~ believed there
is substantial argument In the mind OF
ing some policy which will relieve the case
from hurtful complications and which Will be fair and
equitable TO all parties concerned Tue undersigned
suggests that with their the contract shall
be recast. He suggests that MT Cornell shall pay
secure to paid the Treasury In accordance with
the act OF Congress- which will be equal to the
full value with interest OF the land scrip covered by the
contract OF August 1866 That the value shall deter
mined by making Its price as high as Its hgest
quotation in market at any time between the
date of that contract and March IS, 1870, the
day Of the last delivery OF scrip under its pro-
visions. This will put into the Treasury the full amount
that Congress intended to give this state by the College
Land Grant. The fund thus made up should be care
fully guarded but the state should cut loose from ali
other trusts or complications. There reasons
which can induce it 70 take OF the property
funds OF Cornell University which do not apply well
to any other university college, academy, charitable
institution In the State of NewY0rk. IL cannot relieve
itself of the Land Scrip Fund but 1t should not embar
rass It's financial offers with other educational chart
table trust. Very respectfully, HoRATIo SEYMOUR.