New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-26
LAND JOBS IN CONGRESS.
TIE LAND GEABBERs AGAIN AT WORK-TErY
PROPOSE TO TAKE ONE HUNDRED MILLIONS
OF ACRES FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

TIE LAND GEABBERS AGAIN AT WOBK-TErY
PROPOSE TO TAKE ONE HUNDRED MILLIONS
OF ACRES FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
WASHINGTON, March 22.-The land jobs that
have got through Congress during tho PAST eight
years have been few IN number. The force Of public
opinion made itself strongly felt that CorgrcS men,
whatever their inclinaons may have BEEN obliged
TO turn the cold shoulder the follows WHO wished to
take large slices from Uncle Sans farm for their
benefit Congress has been OF late years almost entirely
free from land grant schemes which formerly occu-
ped SO much Of time aud tile lobby has devoted ia
attention To profitable business. The people
supposed that they had heard the last OF
Land Jobs in Congress, and that 10 more
pausibe lies to enrich individuals at the expense
OF the nation under pretense OF enabling them to con
struct railroads or other public improvements, would
ever become laws and that few would find Congressman
TO father Them and send them 10 the pgeonholes OF
committee room.
All this has changed, however. The and-grabbers
have mustered again. and they appear TO be in greater
force than ever. They are piping the same Old tune
These patriotic propose do wonders for the West
They want TO develop the country stimulate its industry
bnld railroads telegraphs harbors breakwaters. and
drain swamps open mines, dig canals ana
bitches reclaim deserts establish schools and churches,
erect charitable institutions and do an ncalcuabe
amount good great variety OF ways, II congress
will only encourage them in their benevolent designs by
giving them some millions OF Of the public land.
Ninety bills already been introduced In the House
dnrng the present Congress making wholesale appro-
nrtons of land to railroads and other corporations or
reylying old grants which have apsed by the failure OF
the companies construct their roads within the time
prescribed II is impossible. without spending week In
measuring distances making computations, TO ascer.
tain the exact quantity OF land these bills propose to give
away Estimating howeverhe average length of the rail-
roads TO which is proposed give land TO be $50 miles
very moderate estimate for road Is 10 run from
the Atlantic TO Pachc and the amount OF land to be
Granted al ten sections TO the mle which IL the usual
ouaptity / find that these bills propose to
take from the public domain more than one
hundred millions Of dcresland enough 10 mako TOUR
States as large Ohio three States as large as Illinois
All the New-England States. together with New-iork
and Pennsylvania do contain as many &C es as these
companies are seeking to grab from the Government
Al the Government price OF 81 rs per this land Is
worth 100000 But these corporations would realize
a much greater SUN for 1t. The House Committee on
Public Lands have agreed section to be attached 10
every bill granting land railroads, requiring the com
panies within year after the completion Oi each ten
miles OF road TO put their lands adjoining such ten miles
into market In quarter section lots at hied price not 10
exceed an average so an acre. 40 that they get TINS
price the gift they propose the Government shall make
them wonld net them s25O.oDoo
,,oost every member OF Congress from west Of the
Ms,isspp has Introduced from one TO dozen OF these
land grant billie and many members from States further
east have had hand in the business. Some Of the bills
c,t IA be framed and deposited with some historical
society for tho information Of future generations as GU
rious snecmens OF the legislative folly of these times
For exomple Mr. Wnans, who represents the Columbus
Ohio district Introduces bill 10 give lands 10 ara i'll tho
eonstrnction Of certain railroads ID ONO ITO wants
road but from Lima to Aberdeen, another from Dela
ware and Springfield 10 Cincinnati ana a 'hid nom