Year: 1872




We have published but brief paragraph in relation
to the decision of the United States Court at
st. Paul, in the St. Croix land grant cases.


Is we gather the purport of the decision from the
newspapers 1t Is one of very great Importance the
State The facts in the are that Gen Sam s.
Hartman agent for the State seized large guam
tity of pine logs aloat in the St Croix which had
been lands included in the ST. Croix Superior
land grant. Schulenburg Co., of Saltwater, and
other parties who had the logs brought actions
repevin in the District Court of Washington County
Mimi, from which they were removed to the federal
court. The St Paul decision was made in the trial of
one OF these cases test of all the eases pending
The court held that the title the lands on which the
logs were cut, tand consequently to the logs them
selyes is in the State of Wisconsin. OF course it fol-
lows that the plaintiffs in the several replevin suits
were trespassers and liable for the value of the
logs.


The general principle upon which the decision was
made clearly announced by the court. 1t was to
the effect that, outstanding the failure of the
grantee the Stae) procure the construction of the
railroad within the time limited in the grant, vet the
land does not to the grantor the u 81 until
forfeiture Is decreed by of competent urisdic
ton or declared by act of congress, both; and no
such decree legislation having occurred the State
or It's grantees will be entitled to the lands far
lie road IS constructed before forfeiture is declared
Tie and their decision is subject appeal to the
Supreme CO urt of the United States


1t appears them that the title the St Crox land
grant is actually in the State The State owns
couple of million of the best land that was ever
surveyed including mines, excellent farming land
ter powers, and pine and other timber This land is
worth to-day not less than ten million of dollars.


We understand from givngs out, which confirm
ed by our Madison Dispatch that the North Wisconsin
Railroad Company is anxious that special session of
the Legislature should be called when, if they shall be
endowed with the grant, they will proceed
build the railroad Superior take patents from the
State for the lands and risk the consequences The
whole subject rests in the discretion of Gov Wash
burn An extra session Of the legislature at the pres
ent time to dispose of ten million dollar land grant
would add rifle to the general excitement on po-
ical topics which agitates the state.


BY the above from the Milwaukee Ne,rs
and similar articles from other leading jour
mails, it will be seen that the press through
out Wisconsin are expressing great salts
faction at the recent decision of the e. S.
Circuit Court, declaring the title to the
lands granted by Congress for building a
railroad from Hudson on the ST Croix, to
Superior and bayfield,, still IN tie State Of
Wisconsin.


The Importance of this decision to our
whole state cannot be overestmated, whilst
to the northwestern part of Wisconsin, it is
truly a God-send, having most important
and auspicious significance more especially
for this section. The law having been set
tied, the rubbish of doubts having been
cleared away, it only remains for the pro-
per company or companies to go on and
construct the railroad forthwith.


We understand that Governor Washburn
is ready and willing to convene the Legis-
lature in extra session to confer the grant
upon such party or parties, as will guaran-
tee the immediate construction, in good
faith, of the entire line Of road and we be-
liere the Governor will show no favoritism
to place or party, III this matter.


In this connection we will say that nOao
is Superior's opportunity! And will not
hex many friends, capitalists and railroad
builders avail themselves? We believe
they will.