The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-01-17

Mr.. Smith urged that the number
should be 100 acres, and that not less
than 20 should be planted to trees.
Mr.. McCreary, OF Otter Iall, sus-
oested that there was danger of spec
nlators coming in and taking up the
lands if required to plant only ten
acres Of trees. He had not given the
matter much thought, but he was
disposed to give 100 acres with ~
acres planted with trees; but he
would require actual occupation. lie
did not want to see spectators get
hold of the lands while they nved
elsewhere. and would not improve
them.
Mr.. Donnelly did not think that an
outside speculator oughtto be allowed
to get possession OF l6O acres py plant
ing ten acres of trees.
DR.. Stewart said the ideas OF pro,
fuse distribution of government land
had changed somewhat down WASH
ington way. He thought 1t not I'M
likely that Congress might cut down
the number of acres. Better stick to
1850 and take 80 acres if necessary.
A vote being taken, Mr.. Donnelly
motion was carried, when he moved
that the number of acres planted TO
trees be reduced to ten to the quarter
section.
An amendment was offered to this
motion by Prof. Lacy that the num-
Der Of acres planted to trees be hxed
at 90 to the quarter section instead OF
10.
Mr.. Donnelly strongly opposed this.
and said that the old law requiring Az
acres of trees was failure. You will
get more trees on 10 acres four feet
apart than YOU will on 20 acres II feet
apart.
Mr.. Drake, in his travels throughout
the State, had not seen tree claim
that had been a success under the
law. In regard to the number OF
acres to be planted, he was OF the
opinion that 10 acres four'feet apart
was all that should be asked.
Mr.. Hall, of Fillmore county. was
thoroughly of the opinion that ii a
man cultivated even five acres OF
trees, he ought to be entitled to his
land. Even this number was very
difficult matter for poor man to
plant.
A number of gentlemen gave their
views, but only of the number OF
acres to be devoted to trees, but also
their experience in tree-culture. alter
which vote was taken on the amend
ment to make the amount OF tree
culture twenty acres. This was iost
by decided vote, and the ten acre
proposition was adopted unanimously.
The next matter in DIR. Stewart S
bill that was considered was whether
or not every quarter section should
be opened to tree claims. This was
opposed by Mr.. Thomas Cochran. Jr.,
Mr.. Donnelly and others, on the
ground that it would aid speculations.
In order to test the matter Mr.. Don
nelly moved that no change be made
| in the law as it now stands, that Is
only one tree claim to a section shall
/ be allowed. This was unanimously
carried. 1t was then. without dis.
/ cussion. voted to make the land law
retroactive. so that all who have cul
tivated trees under the forty acre
system can have the beAefit Of this
law.
1t WAS llltIl Nottu llidl Viz ASooSA A
ton heartily approve the bill a:
amended and also that the legislature
be requested to memoralize Congress:
to enact the bill into law.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Having disposed of the tree culture
matter the officers of the association
were elected as follows:
President--Ignatius Donnelly.
Vice Presidents--A. 4. Soule
Mountain Lake; j. II. Stevens, Mime
apolis; J. n. Bowler, Renville county
Secretary leonard b. Hodges.
Treasurer--Pennock Pusey.
Executive Committee-Prof. Lacy
Major Ben. Thompson. Hermann
Trott. Gen. Bishop and Gov. Marshal
and the secretary and treasurer.
This completed the business befor
the meeting when it adjourned. Th
, discussion appeared to be pretty niue
| all the same way, SO that the meetin
, was in all respects very harmoniou
one.