St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-05-21

the regularity and hhanimity With
which the decisions lp such GASES have
been against the state sh6ws how little
dependence oan be placed On the notes
OF the survey.
views of the gentleman from Washing
ton. 1t is true that the decisions have
been rendered with the greatest una
nimity and regularity against the state,
but II remains to be shown in what
manner the field notes have been proven
be wrong.
In contest some years ago my prede-
cessor called up as witness the very
man who had made the survey. He
testified that when the surveying party
crossed the tract, contested on the
ground that it was not subject to over
flow, the men had to take off their shoes
and stockings and wade through water
more than half a mile. The contestant
THIS particular overflow was on some
tract In another town. The case was
decided against the state.
Last year case came up, and at the
hearing the state furnished conclusive
proof that the trees growing In the
swamp had water marks as high as
/ thiee feet on the trunks. This case was
decided, not In favor of the contestant,
but in favor Of railroad company that
was not even made a party in the con-
test.
Under such conditions it is not at all
Surprising to find well-established Of
hces in several parts Of the state where
people, DESTROYS of availing themselves
or the prevailing rules in she. govern
ment land offices. eau be accommodated
to any extent needed. The arrest made
In Duluth recently Of one of these prac.
titloners is sufficient to show that the
rulings OF the interior department have
and unQueStiOnably must lead to cor
ruptiOn. ''.'N.t
The talk about sidetracked field notes
is ridiculous. These field notes are all
the time in charge of the governments
own officials, aud il sidetracked by
them. why should the State suffer?
Furthermore, if the officials. in WASH
lngton have positive proof. that the
original field notes never reached WASH
ington, why then confirm the surveys
on tile return of such notes and reject
only SO much of the survey as found to
refer to this state?
The railroad companies are not alone
interested Ill swamp land matters. The
state Institutions have grant from
these swamp lands of more than half
million acres in which the much talked
OF pine land rings have no interest
whatever; and then, again, If the gem
erai government is SO adverse to the
field notes because some Of the land
designated by these field notes come to
the railroad companies under state
grants, why, may ask, has the govern
ment conveyed to these railroads the
very same lands under congressional
grants? 'f'.',' 5t77i-J-5' r
The Northern Pacific Raiftoad com
panY. for instance, mas, received more
than $4,000 acres, under its congres-
slonal grant lands. in 80 townships
through which the railroad passes, set
aside fer the state as swamp and over
flowed. Notwithstanding. the fact that
the swamp land grant to tile state dates
back to March IL, 1860. and is n prior
grant to that of the Northern Pacific by
four years. This piece Of business was
carried out without any notice to the
state that its right had been attacked.
The interest and action taken in this
matter by Hen. M. R.. Baldwin, cannot
In any way be construed, or, at least,
ought not be, to suit any individual de-
sire or convenience. 1t is, on the con-
trary, of the greatest interest to the
state and its taxpayers that the bill in
troduced passes, thus overthrowing all
the malpractice and injustice from
which this state has suffered since the
present rulings We're enforced.