The Saint Paul globe., 1898-03-04

| The minimum price per acre was $125.
| Only soldiers were eligible under the
| minimum figure
| The original act Of 1857 provides that
the lands within the grant limits of
| the different railroads which belong to
| the United States when sold' shall
not be sold for less than the double
that they shall not become subject to
private entry until the same shall
| have been first offered at public sale
at the increased price.
March 12 1860, congress granted ex-
clusively to the state of Minnesota oil
swamp lands which had not been sold
or disposed Of by the government.
| The local land offices have systemat-
ically rejected all claims Of the state
| to these lands, as fast as they were
brought. when their purchase by set
| tiers was contemplated
| All such cases Of rejection have been
appealed to the general land office at
Washington, and 1t also rejected the
| claim of the state, with one exception.
The one exception was inadvertently
overlooked, Auditor Dunn thinks
State Auditor Dunn, in his appeal Of
these cases, takes up the question Of
whether there was a reservation made
by the United States of these double
minimum lands at the time of the
passage Of the swamp land grant to the
state. Mr.. Dunn contends that there
was no such reservation, the provisions
Of the original grant being annulled
by the passage Of the grant to "all
the swamp lands" in the state in 1860
The appeal entered by Auditor Dunn
Is quite comprehensive, giving gen.
eral review Of the several grants In
question. Mr.. Dunn closes his argument
in behalf of the state as follows:
The state of Minnesota Is aware that the
rulings of the department have not gener-
ally been, with a few notable exceptions
Qor instance the Oregon case, found in
XVIII. L. D.. 343), favorable to the con-
tention that 1t is entitled to the swamp
lands within the grant limits of railroads
But the state of Minnesota would submit
that 1t is entitled to fair and liberal con-
struction of the acts governing and relating
to its claims, and that not only should this
commonwealth rise superior to all sordid
motives in the adjustment Of its claims but
motives to which its dignity and statehood
Justly entities It, by the government of the
United States.
The state is not actuated by desire to
ravish these lands from the United States
or possess itself of anything which has not
been freely granted 1t by congress in ac-
cordance with the wise and general policy
| OF the national government
In this case at bar, and the question at
| issue, the state of Minnesota asks that the
question be adjudicated upon its merits
regard to the policy Of the government in
| such matters.
The state does not come now and never
has come as a private claimant hungry for
| land.
| 1t comes as one of the great states of the
| Union asking for Its just shares Of the
bounties and privileges accorded each and
| all the states for the sake and benefit Of
all the people living Within its borders.
| 1t has in the past submitted to many rul-
ings and decisions Of the land department
which have appeared arbitrary and unjust,
rather than harrass the officers Of the gov
ernment and delay the adjustment Of its
| grant or obstruct the work Of the depart
/ ment.
Now the state asks that this question be
| fully considered in all its bearings, and
with the decision 1t will rest satisfied.
I The remainder of the appeal prays
for the reversing of the decision OF
the general land department in the
matter.
The decision Of the interior depart
ment is being waited with interest.