The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-01-20
twelve MILLIONS STOLEN.
THE MANY WORK AND THE
FEW STEAL,
Half the School Fund Taken From the Children,
by Former State Auditor, and Given
to Rockefeller and Carnegie.

We quote the following from the
St. Paul Globes report of legislative
proceedings of Tuesday, Jan. 18th:
Ignatius Donnelly sprung the most
important question which came before
the house this morning. 1t grew out Of
certain suggestions made by State Au-
ditor Dunn, in his recent report. The
matter came up in the shape Of a reso-
luton Of inquiry, which is to be the
special order for the house Thursday
afternoon. The resolution is as fol-
lows:
Whereas, it appears by the report OF
the state auditor to the legislature of
Minnesota, for the fiscal years ending
July 81, 1895, and July 81, 1896, page 60,
81, ETC., that the state of Minnesota, by
the then state auditor, Mr.. Braden, did,
on Feb. 9, 1884, select as indemnity
school lands, according to law, the fol-
lowing described property, to wit:
The south " of the southwest A;south-
west u of southeast 4 of section SO,
township &c. range 18; and lots Nos. 3
and 4, and the southwest. "A Of the
northwest u of section Sand the south
east IA of northeast "a of section 4,
township So, range IS.
And where, in the judgment of the
present state auditor this section OF
| said lands was made in due and pro-
| per form, and in conformity with the
| rules of practice of the general land Of
| flee in force at that time; and the said
| lands became thereby the property Of
| the state, to all intents and purposes,
as part of the school lands of the state.
And where, in the judgment of the
present state auditor, this section of
| said lands was made in due and proper
| form, and in conformity with the rules
| of practice of the general land office
in force at that time; and the said lands
became thereby the property of the
| state.
And whereas, nearly four years there
after, to wit on Jan. rs, 1888. the then
state auditor, Mr.. Braden, for some rea-
SONS which are not stated III his re-
port, by the present incumbent of that
Office, did make new selection of lands,
to supercede the selection of Feb. 8,
1884, and in said new secelection he
omitted to include the lands above de-
scribed, and which were already the
property of the state; and it was pre-
tended that they were thereby relin-
| quished by indrection; and they were
at once taken possession of by certain
capitalists; and upon them is now situ-
ated what is known as the Mountain
Iron Mine" which the present state au-
ditor estimates to be worth more than
$12,OO0,0O0, IAN amount exceeding the
entire accumulations of the state school
| fund to date"
| And whereas, it does not seem posi-
BILE that the state of Minnesota can be
divested of a property of such great
value, or any other property. by the
mere withdrawal of a list by subOr.
dinate officer without authority from
the governor and without any action
being taken by the Legislature Of the
state to authorize direct or assent to
| such a step.
And whereas, if any other interpre-
tation is placed on the power and right
of this state in the premises, then it
follows that the state holds all it's lands
yet undisposed of at the mercy of any
person who may occupy temporarily the
place of state auditor, and who may be
actuated by any motives, honorable or
otherwise.
Therefore, be it resolved by the house
(the senate concurring) that a joint
committee be and the same is hereby
appointed, to consist of fifteen men,
bers on the part of the house and seven
on the part Of the senate, to inquire in
to the said pretended REIMBURSEMENT
of said lands, and report to the two
houses at an early date what steps
should be taken to protect the rights
of the people in the premises And the
said committee shall have the right
to send for persons and papers and ad-
minister oaths and sit during the ses-
| sions of their respective houses
The resolution was made a special
order for Thursday. Jan. IA, 1907. at
o'clock p. m.