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About The Plattsmouth daily herald. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1883-19?? | View Entire Issue (Oct. 27, 1884)
SUPPLEM ENT. .j c;ov. ijawix mii;aivH. lie Addrccs tlie Citizens of Omaha on Current I'olitical Topics, lu a Temperate and I'Vrrlble Manner Set I '"or tli the Situation And With Facts MiienccN the School Laud Slanderers. Tho fallowing are tho remark of Gov. Iuwch at th i Brand rally at Oniuba last Thursday nilit: Mr. Ohnirmaii and Follow Citizens The subject of schol lands and funis Inn bean swi.od iiiiuu by dem icrats and assistant democrats, by thosa wno wiHh to compass the defeat cif tlio republican party in Nebraska, or of some p rti mis of the repub.iian Htitte ticket, an 1 thoy Lave n l he-titatod to disiort both the facts and the figures, and when thane have failed thuy have invaled the realms of fancy and imagination for soine new horror with which to play upon the public mind, hoping thereby to influence the judgments of men. Standing at the head of the republican state ticket, representing my party that has bo honored and trusted me, I am here this evening to speak regarding thene m alter, f r tli it through the blow aimed at myself it roaches my party. For yci auuther reason I am here. A reason that is parsonal, a reas in th it lakes hold of me wi.h the tonality of purpose and re solve, such as incites to actioa him who is conscious ol tan fai t that he carries hu hono-t heart iu his breast, and is not afraid to look a pjoploin the face. As the governor of your state, sworn under the constitution to a faith ml performance of the duties of my ollioe. Uudrsiandiutc the responsibilities aud sajie.ltiess of the trim placed in my hands, I am pre pared to siy that no duty has been ne glected, thtt no trust has been betrayed. Strong language. Yes it is true, au i the facts warrant tue language used. The cause of education is a sacred one. It has become an acceptoi truth or axiou that "iht the tiist duty of I ho stale is to educate all its peopie." This feeling was no less strong in ths early days of tho country than it is at the present ti:nO. Li oking into he history of legislation, locking to the ad vauceuiont of ihe cauo of educa.im, -ve find that the I wo orduiHuces for the governmeiitof the northwes em terri-iory,cn-i'-ied in 175aud 17S7, setapart sec iio:i number s-ix.e:n of every township f.r the purpose of maintaining public schiols. As a justification for an act by which a union nave i s ii lo to these lauds away, aud ai a con idention thit would for ever hold goo j in defense of such an act, tuoy insertei tins declaration: "Ke.ig iou, morality and knowledge being necessary t: good government and the happiness of mankind, schools aud the means of education shall be forever en couraged." In the ordinance of 17S7 more than common schools were provided for. Two complete townships were given for the purpose of a university; and in full compliance therewith every state organ ized since then has received their two townships. When in 1789 the constitution was adopted, the ordinance was renewed, and dl the states down to 1848 received the specified sixteenth section. Upou the organization in 1818 of Oregon s a territory, a further pro vision was made, by which section thirty-six of each township was also set apart for public schools, and all states and territories organized since then have received the two sections instead of one l TT niAv thiol mteiA as4 VwaA JNUmuc. o, 2.746,930 V. ' . . ririii belief that in b Iovmd in braska an lasds. mion! the evernrnev general and itste tre urer. anas and build- nas ".nnts to one V''?a Rhar2 es large ... for -wnoiesnio S.EKSi5io upoatbo pa fraud and i,jrd. 1U9 part of case the T nieuibersMP oi aQy member in mis thereoi Wnt Wlieu A sl'"" . 1 a ai cu'r "f the Doard. chargoa Willi " manner tbe aeie - ing a fact. oi Inn tO Not at hi uiade bOtD luu -; - ii lam biuiK'J : . i" ann dl ,rrri H Hi v - Kf 1T1 Itl UUU longut "7 odusion r.-.- in lhe lUn it i iirao tlie avM"""" - LwVthutoffeVi?tor (lev nllrfell"" ft 11 U7 OI A ...f.irnnriitci?1';"' nU matter cam-"e -- tuejauU!i ii iu favor oi leaving tu aitornev gs- uw r . .l-111l J v . of,moo:edQ qu-r t m.y it is lHa rd aa tO luo h"- ru' . . arnns. as i . . htiui r . . - ' s'.a e in otUoff-ed for . J aiethould have 8en!n2lrtunitvtovoith9 . an opp Ttum ty peqplb SENTIMENT OF gnd that of upon this q-rnwTre Recorded against t state treasurer neyer occurred to mo to Impute a dishonest mo tive by reason of that difference of opin ion. hii charges of fraud in tho matter of appraising these lands aro brought to the attention of the board thoy at once soot a telegram to the treasurer of said county instructing him to ItKTURN ALT. I.EASKS. They were returned, aud wore cancelled. IiiMtead of approving this action oa the part of ti e board we are met wilh tho charire that tear of disgrace prompts tho action. In the absonce of proof ' of an evil or wicked motive I would rather be lieve that men aro honest, and give them credit for an hones;, act when performed. Mistakes in judgment may occur, but to make such mi.-tiko the basis of a chargo of dishonesty is without reason or justice, and should meet with the con demnation of all lair minded men. It is true that lands were leased in CEDAR AND OKKEI EY COUNTIES without notice of sale, but is not true as to Liincoln county. In Cedar county 21,700 acres of laud wern returned as ap praised un ler date of May 5, 1883, and in Greeley county twelve sections were returned as appraised under date of May 8, 1883. The appraisal lists of these lands show ed them to be appraised below the mini mum value at which they could be sold ; and in nci'her county did the appiaisers note any settleis or improvements upon the lands appraised. These lauds were leased to the highest bidder; but that tho citizens of Cedar or Greeley county, were not advised ol such fact, will not be substantiate J by au examination of bids filed, rejected, or awarded to citi zens of these counties, and the board had reason to believe from representa tions made by reliable parlies residing in these counties that none of the lands if offered could be sold at the minimum price. The lands so lea ed iu Cedar county were agricultural college lands, and th ;se in Greeley county were com mon" school lan is. These are the only instance of lea.sft Without notice of sale. During tho spring and early sum mer of 1883, th-re arose an unprecedent ed demand lor Nebraska lauds. The years of successive g od crops were bearing their legitimate fruit, and tho throng of land seekers became so great that in a day, so to speak, lauds that hitherto had rem uneJ unt-tken and unsought were eagfrlv taken. Land grunt roada bad disposed of the remnant of their lands, anl a ill the? came. Wliea such lands as could be bought iu fee, or at low prices and on long time, were absorbed the demand for school lands became great as the terms of lease, mid sales have always breu made easy by legislative enact -merit, although the minimum price at which they could be s id is much above the ave: age price ol other wild land. It is easy indeed to prophecy alter the fact, and we will all agree that could the leg islature have f .rseen the demand and the results under the present law their uniied wisdom would no doubt have de-vi-eJ some mems to check the evils complained of uudor the present law. If we consider this matter from the stand point of the fund to be benefitted by leasing and the rents so derived, then the object for which these lands were given is in a fair way to be accom plished, but if we are to consider It alone lrom the standpoint of individual interest, then we are at once confronted with the questions of policy regarding these lands and the proper disposition to be made of them, considering both the claims of those present and tho-e of the future questions that will call for the careful and conscien ious action ofi. our law-makers, aud demand their best thought. PRIVATE 8AL.H ACT. Speaking of thie reappraisal of lands iid that wisoin tne past two years fte public .;e, "1 ,tVthemB7m r acre as faxed Dy i" "in Lancaster couxx - 9 tiou a. w qiIa since Juiy been ne puu - , -iearly app""" The reason why i4toclctton seven ihi. "ifiaws where it appears of the school lanfff 'ed at public sale. are the 13 I rx -i Bale or lease, ---- ivate sale ac. - KSITT, ma7 Whiu. TO thole made were loaaneS. It L since 1879 leaseu fc for Bv reference w counties, dj V x., chasers oi dw K dalt1h0awedU surrender their lands were alio weajo advanageous lauds on terms that , er broUght, back to themselves dVio these coumies, to the state 'ld. under the lwse which were cfe-'- 0s,iy io V. This arp'.ies f.8P.ecl"ro rnrsons law r . 1 . tn o few persons rOIcountfes during the ye 18SS anvl 1869. private sale? Why are lands sold at Pr uftry t act of F:bru7 lVilnimum rate section 1 ":"ei 6 per cent, ins e avx -upon lauds leaseao d value ani rer cent of the apora 4any lessee SpSSoS 19 by proTidi-B : ' fline aP- of educanoaay ai- ount treasurer 01 P'y in Wnt?gtv1 , b the ld is situated the county - aised for me pu to have s )i , further pro nose of sale." Tue f""" &ho county ITb hat u pon uayment of v ; v de treasurer, .coU,l1Ve d siotere.ted frce shall app"t three a to ap- hoUiers, wnose duty exclusive an the praise the 1-nd at i i make relUrft of improvements, an twenty under ath' aI,Pliwnt shall then, davs. The f"0 surrender his 'their apPrsea vaiue, than V Pt'ract of s alb shall Under this law the state board had no power to re-ot an appraisal so made nn der oath of the three di-interested free holders, nor any power to revb w the set of any such ollicer or unprai-or. Unde Under, ju.V- the act of Fobruar 21 183. this so was so hiuonded, that if In the iraisal wus not made upou a full valua tion, he could refer it to the boird, and they had tho power u order the contract made, or tho !aud rdapira's!d, or tho applb-a'fon rejee'ei. This law 1ms been ktiictly followed, and the commissioner, es he inform me, bus instructed every county trosurer iu the s!ate in counties where lands aro luthe market niid have been so appraised by circular letter t report with every ap plication his judgment as to the fairness of the valuation r- turner by the apprais ers. The cases referred to the board have in most instances been rejomed and would indicate that tho commis sioner had done his duty in the prem ises. It is fair to presume thot county offi cials have been faithful in the discharge of their duty in the matter of the ap pointment of appraisers. We are bound to believe that men sworn to do their full duty, and who make their return under oath as provided by law, that they have s: acted, are swearing to the truth and are not committing porjury. I repeat that in the abseuceof proof to the contrary we are bound to believe this. The action of the eonimissioiior and of the board is ba-ed upou the sworn state ment provided for bv law. If it bo true that under the present law the state cannot socure a fair and just ya'uation upon her school lands then let the remedy be applied by the enact ment of a law that will furnish the need ed projection. If local influences stand iu tho way of a fair appraisal than re move the difficulty by t change in the method of appraising. Clearly the rem- o ly for ex istiug evils does not consist in uniair, uniust, ana unmanly altu-k or criticism intended to relied upon offi cers who are in the faithful discharge of duty. INVESTMENT OF PEHMANENT SCHOOL FUND. It has been charged by insinua'ion had been neglectful of that the board duty in the iuvestirg of permanent school funds and the following detailed sta enipnt is in answer to the demand for dites and 'amounts : January 1883, when the present board came into power, the permanent school fund on 1 a d, as reported by the state treasurer, was $137,487.77. Investments have been made as fol low March 13, 1S83. ?5,000. Howard coun ty 8 per cents; netting the state 6 per cent. March 13, 18S3. $10,000. Platte county 8 per cents ; netting the state 6 per cen:. April 10, 1883, ?2i,000. Dakota county 6 per cents, at par. September 20, 1883, $24,000. Kearney county 6 per cents, at par. October 10, 1883, 412,000. Dakota coun ty, 6 per cent at par. October 2G. 1883, $7,000. Dawson coun ty, 6 per cent at par. November 13, 1883, $11,000. Kearney county, 10 per cents, to net state 6 per cent. December 11, 1883, $12,000. Dawson county, 6 per cents, t par. December 15, 1883, $33,500. Phelps county 7 per cents, to net state 6 per cent. January 8, 1834, $1,000. Phelps coun ty, 7 per cents, to net state 6 per cent. January 8, 1881, $9,000. Dawson coun ty, 6 per cents, at par. February 8, 1884, $4,000. Hall cour&y, 6 per cent at par. February 21, 1884, $500. Phelps coun ty, 7 per cen's, ?o net state 6 per cent. March 4, is, f7,uuv. Dawson county, nmnber 6 ner cents at par- .vested dur- MakiDg the torn - -a, cover- Si rPerfoaf oftwenty-one months of troduced a resolution mcir prov,ding upoa the records 01 d ,,elongmg to "j.v.o moneys on "a should be 1 mu rrtit school ""--n.ent Invested fn three P fuTure . hand to make sac a Jncted to , re "teraBsufflcient, amount hl2h "rate tnree per cents to maa.e invt stmeot. minds of the There was a doubt lo the m question: purchasing U. nHava tnu . thn nerm- S. three per - wer unv" ,r- tun ot aihOOUi T ' honflS 1" Viona registered county ; i ra'o i V.rta?" . i-m anu ... oawer tO It l"'?1" r.v., ron n ion. lu ion. court maao aa inJ (;ai Keport,, page fail) . U. S. three - - ing count e to "btednesB. and pro in tt-eir bonded deb e tlf lng he :,,- for resristerin.,, t ay the l1 aud for levying Uldout to for in"l.r,T county - - -. . T TT1 Ml I L bons. cent as to rtKS their juo - rer.der it In vl sabie Xo defer active u ai ;em lr-veHiuLi""" A .ince that tiaie . . made Qf th3 ous rate vu" " sued. Tlie !ikotii county liuding louU of which iln.re liai been much said that is untrue, and of which tho permanent school fund holdt f27,(IIM) were issued un der tho lin lin act of 177. They were issued, anl d itd July 1 12; anl pre texted to tlio auditor and Mc-retary of state, for rci-trutiou, and certification, v. hieh wai refusud by such ollicer. AppllcHtion was iiinde to the supremo c urt Mr a writ of m.in Imiihi.m to compel the ollic rs to act. Tho writ wa i'i-.tiHil Htxi observed by tho registry oill -eia. Tho ca-o m f illy ioorld in tho Fourteenth Nebra-.Ua Hepurts. pa ice ISO. . The bonds were offered tho board as an investment April 10. lss;l. It aopeurod that the b Midi ,nd brou regularly is sued, tho proper levies imlo i pav the accruing interest and in now in the hands of the county troisurer. Tli.i sro not the bonds that have bo'n in litigation., There is no doubt but tin bonds owned' by the state will be pai l in full, in terextand principal. Those are tho only l)oiidi owned liv the permanent school fund upon which there hat ever bon even a temporary Mnponsio.i iu the payment- of intere-t. Applying this gratifying tUe of all'drs t the results of yourown experience. All will agree that care and caution have l oen exercised by the board iu the matter of invest ments. ' Where, it is asked, ate tho school moneyH deposited ? Can it. be thHt t uoss who ask this question are no: aware that under our law the state treasurer is thM custodian of these fund an I that tho! t-tati board of school lands and funds1 has no control of them Mtvem an inyest-! merit is m-ade arid the trehsitior iu-j structed to mk payment in ao. ordancei therewith. Wli'-n in vo-tin-nt-i have been made tho money h is been ready.' The treasurer is resoonsiblo for lha- part of it. To hold this board ri sponsible for tha paf keeping or the plat e where the money msy be kpt w u!d be as wise anil 1 tir an to bold th 1 l oird of county couimis-ions re-jxoihiulo for tho acts of your county trniiurer. It ii said that iIih li.Mi'd are anxious to obtain a revenue from tho leas ing of educa'i.uia! lands and then keep 13 1,00 to $300,IMM uninvestod because they cannot invest it, and it is said. "Why are thi-y so dn.iiio.is lo ruit land for three cents per aero, when they claim they cannot invest the money after obt.-tinir g ii?" Is it possible that the author of such a statement dois not k now thHt lhe bonrd of school lands and funds has no juri-diction whatever over the monies re eived from leas' rents, inter es' on notes or state school taxes, but that all these go, to the s'a'e treasurer, and are appor tioned iwico each yar per capita to the schoolchildren ofthe s atu ? The leis ing of every a -re of school laud in the i-t-ite will not increase the permanent school fund in the least. It simply increases the amount apportioned to the school chil dren of the state, and goes directly to the payment of teachers' wag-8, and in this way let-sous the tate of taxation for that purpose. This temporary fund amounted to ?485,0;i 84 lor the year t nd ing May, 1881, ai against .221,014 36 for the year end ing May, 1881, and it is safe to say,.T, that it will never be less than $500,000 per annum from thit time forward. This large sum of money goes directly to the lessening of your school tsx, and the fund thus divided is greater than tha. now used to support the whole state government, including Us penal, reform atory, charitable aud education-d insti tutions. I t-m informed that a certain democratic sta esmau In his perambula tions around the state is recommending a change of plan and that thJLs money be distributed directly and taxation for scuool purposes be done away with: Marly oblivious of the fact that tSu September. 1.1. m 1 1 a i cests ; bonds and ftU mALeU. . til II Vl.V.f Oi. est bearing fanoo. . al coant 3lUo""- - looi an actual wv". Vrto radsWd.pUcestDe-- 40,031.54. Showing t jniere,t dringundbeathe pressr.t time .il hfl held to a str.ct at-ou and . rMt n'.aced in tn''""5 count ior "J- irntbs tlie i"r ',it. Kcogmzing "rpect fully statement ol ''"f Nebraska. A public ted to the peopl- oi d j t nhf. the iorw"-"- mcil is never . .iue to mm .. ,i in turn i i , . .n int. Crll that our cr. - wn, .t.nen i . did cuicn n ' ia ' VOU Wl tive that Xjrouil Vhe o j" ct s u2bt by hnn. - ubir(J d c are II be just. ' '. ..,, or faithuiue reflet ..p tha i J. vlil cons.der of anofli ialor ofhcml- ' e tfa c ,me ; "el thamrretiom wuw , ,h mo- ,.i V- vnnre,le -win ...w... iu ,teu vuo a- no a"T to actio.., i nn - or on per :-,.t tnev tbe otcer Keek w hand, is the "J..,.Im.itota a?c0mpli;u ,na; .interest, or BOaieuu,". : - An e Q an m--- Dal:;". : tobe reached at nv cos-, a ev In .tauons f ' femnts -o"-"dr ..o-ti we i i' t v that promi-. well their urcr,-u-t ,e can 0t ruem, and the m". kuPlh;t duty oe .2. to exacting 2 ,'n the pople-of a be tot well pe forn- r.orca" " , jniua- do an act of 'ius QO .Vial I brieve WrTta e afford to do an te.,Vaoftl ..All 1 L F :"1": iielievi.n . .. - ir fijenoe await their Pe'itn 'and verdict. k .nil 1 ill . cou osr- per- tne ingtbese lands;