The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1904-11-01
DRAINAGE OF
SWAMP LANDS
r. c. Dunn Strongly Favors Exten.
sive Work Being Done and
John A. johnson Op-
posed It.

R. G. Dunn, the Republican candi.
stand in favor of the drainage of
swamp lands. 1t is no new position
for Mr.. Dunn, for as far back as 1889,
when he was In the legislature and the
question first arose, Mr.. Dunn was
strongly in favor of the proposition
for the drainage Of swamp land and
secured the state and other aid for
that purpose. In speech delivered
by Mr.. Dunn at West Duluth on Aug.
rs, 1904, Mr.. Dunn said: Cali OF
Northern Minnesota and Duluth In
particular is deeply interested in the
reclamation of the hundreds of thou
sands Of acres of swamp lands owned
by the state. The original purpose of
the grant by congress was for reclaim
ing these lands Our legislature
seemed to think that aiding in the
construction of railroads was COM
pliance with the terms Of the grant,
for about three million acres have
been diverted to that purpose. By
virtue of the constitutional amend
ment, adopted in 1881, the proceeds
OF the sales Of swamp lands remaining
or that may hereafter accrue to the
state are devoted to the educational
and charitable institutions. One small
tract of swamp land containing about
thirty-six acres will swell the states
institutions fund, it is estimated, by
half million dollars. That tract is
located in St Louis county, and 1t
was owing to the iniatory steps taken
by me that it Mas secured to the state.
"The state could we'll afford to
spend large sums annually in reclaim.
ing its swamp lands, and the in.
creased selling price of the lands
thus benefited would amply repay for
the outlay; besides, it would mate
rally aid the upbuilding and develop.
ment of Northern Minnesota. The
counties in which these swamp lands
are mainly situated are naturally
tributary to Duluth"
In strong contrast to the position
Of Mr.. Dunn on this important ques.
ton OF drainage, a question which al
most as deeply interests the people
of Southern Minnesota as it does those
of the northern districts, for the rea.
son that drainage works undertaken
to reclaim state swamp lands means
that those lands will be enhanced in
value, and the state school funds and
state institutions funds will be direct
beneficiaries of the increased value
| is the position of John A. Johnson,
| the Democratic candidate for gov.
ernor. In 1899 when Mr.. johnson was
serving in the senate he had an op.
portunity to vote on bill Is. F. No
211) which provided for the creation
| Of drainage commission and for the
drainage of marshy and swamp lands
| of the state and an appropriation OF
money to carry out the provisions OF
the act. There were eight senators
who voted against this measure and
among the number was JOHN A. John.
son, the present Democratic candi.
date for governor. Since becoming
a gubernatorial candidate Mr.. John
son evidently sees that he was very
much mistaken in 1899, and row he
processes to be convert to the propo
sition of retaining and draining the
vast areas Of swamp lands in North
ern Minnesota. How sincere he may
be in this eleventh hour of repentance
| Is left to the voters to Judge.
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