Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-11-10
SCHOOL LANDS.

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been endowed by The nation in ever
public land state. IL one after auoth,
of these this endowment has bee
largely wasted, lost and fraudulent
squandered. From two olive million
of dollars are the total proceeds il sue
great states as Michigan. Illinois. low
california and others. states rich in ey
cry element of natural wealth, Tax;
flon takes the place Of income frQl
these wasted funds. III this evil re
suited from ii lack of constitutional
protection and limitation. This woul,
have prevented the loss in every case
had the provision in our constitution
been in theirs, Wisconsin. Illinois. 10
wa and other states would have nov
held twelve Oh fifteen millions each Il.
IL vested school fund. They might
have held twenty million dollars each
in every state there Isl regret, shame
:n historic chapter that is hidden, and
q wonder that the last generation
should have been so Indifferent.
"llere we stand in Dakota at the IT,
tie page of II state history and have
the character of every page in our con-
troll. We are to write the preface, de-
tlaring the policy, the philosophy, the
entire scheme Of the work. The work
we do for education is not for the flu
tuln aud for hnnor merely. 1t is for
o'r own immediate advantage and that
of our children. We have in prospect
and now largely selected about three
millions OF acres Of school lands of all
classes. and these are chiefly for our
common schools.
"The constitution provides that these
lands shall he sold and the income ONLY
of the proceeds devoted with other
funds to these schools, uniformly
throughout the state, it further pro-
NlteS that not over One-third of these
lands shall be sold in the first ten years
that none shall be sold at less than $40
per acre, nor until publicly appraised
and after three months advertisement
and ut public auction. These limit;l-
lions are very comelete, and being in
the constitution they bind absolutely
tne legislature, all officers and the
courts. Within the proposed state
there are now i've 4 million acres.
more than can properly be handled in
ten years, between the eastern bouD-
diary and tho west side of the Dakota
valley. Over half this is now worth
$50 an acre. Much of it is of higher
value, from sst25 to $500macre. Lands
OF this class neu Yankton ana other
places are worth $50 an acre. A few
sections practically within towns like
Huron. Mitchell and others. are worth
hundreds of dollars an acre. The con-
stltutlon requires that the land or high
est value be sold first.
timber this constitution in IL few
years we shall have without taxation
longer terms OF school than we now
have. Within eight years one million
acres can bring US not less, probably
more, than S%15,0ND.O0O. Make the cal
culatlon for any county on the basis of
Sla an acre and seven per cent interest
ON the fund. This is q low rate. In
diana and other states get eight per
cent. lankton county, twenty thous-
and acres, 100000, income $4,000 a
year, or seventy schools for SIX months
each year and $40 Il month for. each
school. 1t would support our present
schools eight months d year. 1t is this
or better that statehood will secure TO
us. 1t renders it certain, and this is
without considering the university.
normal and other school lands.
For this end we sincerely desire
statehood. We should vote for this
constitution if it has otherwise serious
defects. The school land question is
the great issue. the II high point Of
honor. good faith and permanent pub
Tic advantage. In this and on pluca-
ton, no constitution in the union now +.
does or ever did equal ours. If that
be lost it will be difficult to save It, If
any other single point be omitted. it
be taken up hereafter and be saved
TWO or three years without protection J,
vii lose this heritage for or children. .
is the record in every state.
"!5l!t the constitution is admirable. |
1t plainly provides and clearly reads.
n every feature. 1t makes for Il what il
We want, a simple, economical, closely Y
government, suited to a Deoplp y
UGH as we are and to our permanent h
Believing and knowing this t
We support the constitution, and in do II
lg so see no need of qllarreling with s
thers who do not, but great need of ii
citing unanimously against them. and s
or free schools without school taxes Il
Gen. w. IL. II. Bealle, in Yanhton II
'ress. a
STAND AND DELIvER."-Mr. Burlin-
anne, partner Of Mr.. Hayden in n Of il
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