The Portland daily press., 1875-07-16
The Democratic Falseh0Od about the
College Scrip.

1t is hardly worth Will to exhaust ones
strength in stamping on dead lie, but this
Democratic lie about the Agricultural Col
ege Scrip was of such huge proportions that
like Jim Nye's skunk, sit deserves punish
ment arter DEATH" We have procured from
Augusta copies of certain official documents
which show the whole thing up so conclu-
sively that we give considerable space this
morning TO their publication. First, we give
the official report of the Executive Council,
embracing indeed a succinct and authentic
history of the whole transaction.
"STATE OF MAINE.
In COUNCIL, Dec. 80, 1866.
The Committee of the aohole Council to ,ohich
aoaS referred the subject matter hereof, report:
That by chapter 352 of the Laws of 1865, Sec.
6, the Governor and Council were authorized
to make sale of the Land Scrip assigned to
the State of Maine for the endowment of the
College of Agricultural and the Mechanic Arts
that early after the adjournment of the Leg
iSlature the Governor and Council informally
communicated to the trustees of said college
desire that they should associate some persons
members of said board to advise in relation to
such sale. For some reason this was not COM
piled with until December, 1866, when COM
munication was received, signed by majority
of the trustees, advising the sale of the Scrip
"at an early day at the best rate which it may
commard," which communication is herewith
submitted. Immediately upon the receipt of
said communication, the council passed an or
der, approved by the Governor, directing the
Secretary of State to advertize for proposals
for the same to be received up to the first day
of March then next ensuing, in the state paper
published at Augusta, in the Boston Daily Ad-
vertiser, in the New York Journal of Com
merce and the New York Daily and Weekly
Tribune, il the Chicago Tribune and the St.
Louis Democrat, which was accordingly done.
The following is copy of the advertisement:
STATE OF MAINE, Executive Iepartment,l
Augusta, Dec. 21, 1865.
SALE OF UNITED STATES LAND SCRIP.
Proposals will be received till the first day OF March
by His Excelency Samuel Cony, Governor of the
State of Mane tor the purchase of the land scrip is
sued to SAID state for the endowment of college for
the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts in
quantities not less than five thousand acres. Terms,
cash. payable in lawful money at the office of Treas
urer OF State OF Maine at Augusta, at the Suffolk
National Bank, Boston, in twenty days after notice
issued of acceptance of offer. The scrip to be dev
cred at Augusta. Right to reject proposals reserved
All offers will be dire ted to the address of the Sec
retary of State Augusta, Maine and endorsed on
the outside Proposals tor Agricultural College Scrip.
EPHRAIM FLINT, Secy Of State.
On the first day of March, 1866, the Cover
nor and Council proceeded to examine the bids
made, which in the aggregate were for two
hundred and twenty seven thousand and three
hundred and sixty acres, as will appear by the
SCneuule accompanying tnlS report. Ihe bids
varied in amount from ten cents to sixty cents
per acre. The bids in several instances, as
will be perceived, were in the alternative to
take small amount at larger price or
larger lot at smaller price. 1t was deter
mined by the board under the right reserved
in the advertisement TO reject all bids below
fifty 1.-TWO and one half cents. and to accept
those at and above that sum; the successful bids
being for one hundred and twelve thousand
three hundred and sixty acres, and those re-
jected for one hundred and twenty-five tnous-