Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-12-21
MAR RQUETTE & MACKlNAC RAIL
ROAD LAND GRANT.
A Correspondent has Something to Say
i'm Regard to that ssCombinatiOn."

A Correspondent has Something to Say
i'm Regard to that Combinations
SAULT STE. MARIE, Dec. 2, 1878.
To the Editor of the NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
In your issue of November 23d. in an
article headed "a Startling Rumor." you
say it is rumored that a combination has
been formed in Chippewa county, en-
bracing capitalists In and out of the
county. to procure Legislation adverse to
the Mackinac & Marquette railroad, and
thus secure the return of the lands TO
the state and thus to market, and then
step in and purchase all of the most de-
sirable lands for settlement, and then
hold them for speculation. &c.
We say, we know there is more in this
than mere rumor. There is a combina-
tion here. 1t embraces every man in
Chippewa county i'm favor of settlement.
progress and improvement, to get some
legislation to at least make it possible to
purchase in some way or manner the
lands in Chippewa county. This combi-
nation is determined 10 take in outside
capital as well as inside capital, if neces
sary, in order to break and smash the
railroad combination that has fer six
years held these lands i'm its merciless
iron grasp, preventing their sale. settle
ment and Improvement, on any terms.
Chippewa county has some 100000
acres of state swamp lands, one swamp
land road about "a miles in length. For
six years the balance of the state lands
have been tied up, kept from sale and
settlement, from being applied to lie
legitimate purpose ofconstructing wagon
roads, drainage and reclamation. on the
pretext that it is legal, jnst. and right
to apply them to the construc-
ton of railroad from the Strfits
of Mackinaw to Marquette. A railroad
touch the soutlwes: corner Of the county,
and almost 45 miles from Sault Ste'
Marie, where the main settlement of the
County is, and were there now are 6,0O0
or 1000 inhabitants. A railroad to which,
if the people of the Sault desired 10 90,
they would be obliged to. expend az least
SIS 900 i'm the construction of wagon
road. Adverse legislation to this rail-
road combination that has already pre-
vented the settlement of over 400 fam
lilies in the last year, compelled the people
to experd $4,000 on roads that should
have been constructed with swamp l,nds.
A railroad that would. if constructed,
compel the people to expend
$4,000 in the construction of road to
it. 1t has already driven from the county
thousand settlers and millions of capi-
tai This is the kind of legislation the
people of Chippewa county want. The
startling rumOrs you speak of have no
lterrors for them. Heaven knows. there
can be no worse combination. The spec
ulator, capitalist or ring that will smash
the present combination will be well
cOmed with open arms and hearts of
gratitude i'm this county. Anything Mr..
E,litOr. that will relieve the people of
Cippewa county from this railroad in
cubus. that hangs like a mill stone
around their necas, will be hailed with
joy.
Two years ago the proposition was
made to the friends OF the railroad prof CT
to put the lands into market for settle
ment and improvement only. and let the
proceeds go TO the state or railroad, but
this proposition was rejected, and in fact
any and all propositioI is that looked to
the sale and settlement of tie lands.
The people now ask the Legislature to
pass an act to give or sell tile lands to
the actual settlers only, and simply be-
cause it is just and right. Every acre OF
United States lands within a radius Of
20 miles of the Sault has been purchased.
There are about 10000 acres OF state
swamp lands scattered over this area.
that cannot be purchased for love or
money. Roads have to be constructed
through and around them, school houses
built, and these lands every Jay enhanced
IN value at the expense OF the actual
settlers. The state will not sell them
the railroad company cannot If they
would. Why not join hands and insist
that an act be passed in the first days of
the next session Of the Legislature TO
allow these l,nds to be purchased for
actual settlement only.
Within the last three m onths 10000
acres of these lands have been settled
upon Ill lOU acres LTaCtS, improvements
made by each settler, by CLEARING and
plonghing aud erecting dwelling house.
They will petition the Legislature to eX-
empt these lands from the railroad grant
and allow them TO purchase their homes
and improvements. Will the Legislature
dare to refuse their prayer and let the
lands go back TO the state, and. as you
say, be bought up by the spectators, or
turn these hundreds OF hardy sons OF
toll over to the tender mercy of a heart
less, soulless, mythical railroad company?
We ask you, we beg of You, and every
man in the state in favor of justice, hu-
manity and improvement, to JOIN this
Chippewa county combination, and Sc
cure this just legislation in favor of the
actual settler and in case this mythical
railroad company ever starts 10 build the
road, give them the money arising from
the sale of these lands
Yours, respectfully,
GEO. w. BROWN.