The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-22
A GRANTEE CALLED TO TIME.

The decision reached by Governor
Lind and State Auditor Dunn to pro-
coed without further delay tG fill and
close up the swamp land grant of the
Duluth e Iron Range Railroad company
is one which cannot fail to give salts
faction to every taxpayer in the state
But for the long-winded litigation over
this grant, it would without doubt have
been filed several Years ago. sand now
that the courts have decided adversely
to the contention of the state that the
grant lapsed and became forfeited prior
to it's re-enactment in 1883, and have
held that the grant is valid, there is no
longer a ny. sound reason for further de-
lay in filling it
Governor Linz i'll his reply to the state
auditor Goth documents being printed
in another column, draws attention to
the fact that in the absence of a specific
provision in the act granting these lands
to this railroad company, prescribing a
certain time in which the grant shall be
uIl6Q, lIIC ililDllSS that Inc rtCL oIletIl
be performed within reasonable time.
Auditor Dunn points out that the com
pany has been practically inactive and
taken no serious steps during the past
seven years TO secure deeds. from the
state for its granted lands, and that for
the last three aud half years suffi-
cient amount of swamp lands to COM
pletely fill the grant was available.
1t would seem that the Duluth & Iron
| Range Railroad company would consid-
err 1t to it's advantage to secure its lands
at as early a date as possible, but when
it is learned from State Auditor Dunn
that by declining to claim and obtain a
deed from the state the grantee is able
to avoid the burden and expense of car
from trespassers, and that that duty and
expense fall upon the state, it is seen
that there is a strong reason for the
company not being in hurry to take
| possession of it's own. There is also the
further advantage for the company in
! delaying to perfect It's title to these
! lands, that they are not compelled to
pay taxes upon them until such time as
they become the actual owners by the
| conveyance Of the lands to them by the
! state.
In further delay the governor and the
state auitor agree in percefving a con-
tinuation Of the injury done to the
state-frst in the expense entailed upon
! the state by reason of 1t being called
upon to care for and protect these lands
and second in the direct loss and injury
not only to the state but to the taxpay-
ers of st. Louis, Lake and Cook counties
by reason of the lands not being upon the
tax rolls and bearing their just share of
| taxation.
Added to this the state is confronted
by expensive complications arising from
contests inaugurated in the United
States district land office at Duluth, by
real Oh. pretended settlers, which the
| state is called upon to defend, although
it is aware at the same time that the
major part Of such lands will ultimate
| ly become and should now be the prop
erty Of the railroad company. Once this
grant is filled the states swamp land
interests in the counties of ST. Louis
Lake and Cook become compacted and
defined An end can be put to these
vexattous contests Of the states swaml
land claims, and the lands with theil
timber and mineral can be leased or sold
as the case may be for the benefit of the
public schools and the educational and
charitable institutions of the state.
The decision to give the Duluth & Iron
Range Railroad company final notice
and to allow them until September Isl
ito eAlewsuficient selections to fill the
grant, though, perhaps, not absolutely
necessary under a strict Interpretation
of the law as it bears on the rights OF
the state, is probably the wisest thing
to do, 1t shows that the state is still
willing to be fair in, this matter despite
the procrastinating rroclivities of the
grantee. But beyond September Isl
there will without doubt be prompt and
final action on the part of the state
auditor and the governor. If the COM