The Worthington advance., 1878-10-17
1.-THE BOND QUESTION.
The Bill Which is to be Voted o.. at
Coming Election.


AN ACT to provide for the recovery and destruction
Of what are commonly known Minnesota State
railroad bonds and the payment of certain claims
incurred IN the building of certain railroads for
which said bonds were issued.
WHEREAS, There is outstanding large number of
documents commonly known as the Minnesota State
railroad bonds, the validity of which the people of
the State do not recognize but which it is desirable
should be recovered, to the end that the same may
be destroyed. Therefore.
Be It enacted By the Legislature Of the State Of
Section l. All lands donated to the State of Min
nesota for the purpose of internal Improvements and
known as the five hundred thousand acres of internal
Improvement lands, and the funds arising from the
sales OF said lands, shall be disposed Of in the manner
provided for in this act for the purpose of recover
ing the said bonds and the satisfaction of said
claims, to the end that the same may be destroyed
But this act shall not be construed in any manner
preventing the sale Of said lands under existing laws
Sec. 2 On and after the first (lst) Monday in
July A. D: one thousand eight hundred and seventy
nine (1879), the commissioner of the State land
Office shall be ready to exchange said lands for said
clalms at rate and proportion that shall make the
whole OF said lands equal to the whole amount of
said bonds and claims, together with the unpaid
coupons. The Land Commissioner, with the advice
and approval Of the Governor shall adopt such rules
and regulations for exchanging the lands for the
secure to the holder of each bond and claim an equal
chance fer choice of lands for each bond and claim
deposited for such exchange, on before said first
1st) Monday in July, A. D. one thousand eight hun
dred and seventy-nine (1S79l.
AL bonds presented for exchange after said date
shall have choice of land in the order presented.
Deeds of conveyance of said land exchanged shall
be made in the manner now provided by law in case
OF the sale Of said lands.
Sec 3. The commissioner of the land Office shall
notice to be published in two (2) daily news.
papers at the State capital. and in one ~ daily news
p7per in each of the cities of Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, Chicago and Milwaukee, giving gen.
eral description and the location Of said lands, and
the time and manner that the will be exchanged
for said bonds. He shall also cause such notice to
be mailed to every holder of said bonds. far he
shall be able to obtain the address of the same Such
publication and mailing of notice TO be not less than
two months before said first (1st) Monday in july
A. D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine
Qs79).
Sec 4. The land 80 exchanged for said State rail-
road bonds and claims, shall be free from taxation
until sold, contracted to be sold or released or
used and cultivated by the grantees of the State or
their legal representatives. But such exemption from
taxation shall not extend beyond seven (7) years
from the first Gst) day of July, A. D. thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine 1s7o).
Sec. s. The funds and securities derived from the
sale Of the internal improvement lands shall be re-
garded and treated Cor the purposes of this act as
equal to the number of Of land from which de-
rived, and the holders of said bonds and claims Ynay
in the order of their choice, take the proper proper
ton of said funds and securities in place of land.
All money received from s,unpage of said internal
improvement lands, shall be apportoned to the land
from which derived, and shall 90 with said land as
part thereof. The State land commissioner shall
give certificate for any excess in number of acres
above legal subdivisions of said land and when said
certificates are surrendered'in amounts equal to a
legal subdivision of land, they shalt be received in
exchange for the same
Sec. 6. A complete record of all bonds and claims
surrendered shall he kept by the land commissioner
and the name and address, Of the person from whom
received. All such honds shall be destroyed by fire
in the presence Of the Governor and attorney gon-
eral. who shall attest the fact of records.
Sec. 7. The claims judgement OF Mcdonald h
Graham, and of Fitz, Grndall 4 Keepers, as rccog-
2a7
two 152), on page three hundred and eighty-eight
(38s\ Of special laws of eighteen hundred and sixtv-
seven (1S67, and the claims hereinafter specified,
/ shall be regarded and treated the same equal
amount of said State railroad bonds, and be received
| the same in exchange for SAID lands.
Sec g. There shall be commission appointed
by the Governor consisting Of three 3 dsinterested
persons, who shall examine all claims presented by
persons who did the work furnished supplies OF
material for the building of the railroads for which
| such bonds were issued and which we're never paid
for by the contractors or sub-contractors under
| whose charge the same were done and furnished,
and which claims are evidenced by some order, ac-
ceptance, book account other writings: and for
such claims shall be valid and unpaid, said COM
| mission shall issue numbered certificates for such
Indebtedness, and such certificates shall he received
on the same basis az the bonds and for all the pur
poses contemplated by this act; but claims shall
he received from contractors subcontractors un-
| der any railroad company.
least three ( Of the State papers having greatest
cir nlation, during period Of two (2 weeks where
and at what time they will hear and ascertain such
claims, such places being Owatonna, Winona and St.
Paul. and shall make their report to the Governor by
the first (lst day Of March, A. D. eghteed hundred
and seventynine us7e), giving detailed account Of
the amounts Of such claims allowed. Such com
mission shall each be allowed compensation Of five
(S5) dollars per day and ten (1O> cents per mile for
each mile actually travelled in going to and returning
from the places appointed for the meetings Of said
| commission. Provided, That such commission shall
| not be allowed compensation for more than twenty
| (20) days in the adjustment of said claims.
1.Sn e1n11I p1Hsr,ik k< A@
the people at the next general election in November
Thousand eight hundred and seventyeight (1S78)
The ballots for the adoption Of this act shall be 'Fol
the recovery ana destruction Of the railroads bonds
Yes.' The ballots against the adoption Of this ac
shall be "For the recovery and destruction Of thu
railroad bonds, No." The returns of the election or
tho question shall be made and the result asoertane6
in the manner provided by law for the election
Of State officers. II majority shall have voted fo1
the measure the Governor shall make proclamation
! Of the adoption OF the same.
Sec II. This act shall take effect from and afte1
| its passage.
Approved March 8, 1878,