The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-10-20

7as possible for the road to make
mple selections of lands to fill the
cry generous grant made it by a
state Legislature in 1876 when our
lawmakers were apparently as free
18th swamp land as Kentucky
olonel is with whisky.
Mr.. Dunn further states in this same
eport:
The Importance of the States in
terest in this grant being filled
was very great. Until this was
done it could not be ascertained
what lands belonged to the State
and what to the railroad COMPANY.
The State was unable to protect
It's lands from timber thieves or
trespassers because it could not
be ascertained which were State
lands. On July %. 1900, the Du-
luth & Iron Range Railroad com
pany. having failed to take any
decided steps toward filing it's
grant, I notified the president
and land commissioner, respec-
lively, of that company, that I'M
less there was fled in the State
land office on Or before Septem-
Der l, 1900, sufficient selections of
swamp land to fill the grant, T
would proceed to make sufficient
selections to fiji and satisfy the
grant
Neither the Duluth & Iron Range
company; or it's officials noticed
or acted upon this notification,
and I therefore proceeded to make
sufficient selections from the avail
able swamp land in St. Louis,
Lake and Cook counties to fill the
grant, and to prepare a deed there
fore. All the lands, whether pat
ented or unpatented, selected by
the company, were included in
this deed, and the remainder was
made up from patented lands ~
ing nearest to the line of railroad
of said company. This deed was
presented to the governor and by
him was duly executed. In taking
this action I endeavored to treat
the company fairly and equitably,
and was solely actuated by de-
sire to protect the States interests
by making it possible to ascertain
what lands the State owns in or
der that they may be protected.
Remember that Mr.. Dunn was max
ne this report to both branches O.
he Legislature. It was not Joh1
lind talking to Democratic mass
Meeting. Bear in mind the statemen
bout a deed to the land which Gov
rnor Lind duly executed. ....
Now let us refer briefly to Mr.
DUNN S report to the legislature fo1
he two fiscal years ending July 3lst
9O2. In this report he again deals
With the Duluth & Iron Range grant
lie has discovered in the meantime
hat in the decree of Judge Lochre1
# Jan. s, 1900, there were 1864. Il
Icres of State institutions lands
dr. Dunn refers to the "unlimitec
ime" given the road by the court il
Which to fill it's grant; and states tina
lied with the decree was a list O.
ands embracing S9,O73.67 acres, title
O which was decreed to rest in the
'rantee. After calling the attention
If the legislature to the discovery
hat nearly $4,000 acres of State lands
lad been through some inadvertance
Moulded in the list filed with the
ourt, Mr.. Dunn states that he "a1
'nce caused proceedings looking
owards the amendment of Judge
Iochren's decree to be instituted i1
rider to clear the States title to its
State institutions lands, and on Feb.
0, 1902 the original decree was
,mended and the court decreed the
4, GA. Is acres in question to be the
of the State of Minnesota. ;:
The report as to this land grant
loses by stating that the amended
ecree required the railroad company
o make it's selections within six
aonths after the survey of the lands
y the United States. '-''
Now the St. Paul Globe nor the
minneapolis Times or journal would
ot dare to print or even make a
rief reference to these reports OF
1r. Dunn to the State legislature.
But they will open wide their sucker
aouths and swallow what John Lind
avs. even if the aftertaste is rank
nd bitter.
We think we have clearly indicated
hat Mr.. Dunn's course in this whole
natter was to be ever watchful of the
States best interests. His records
IS State auditor long before Judge