The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-18


people. We invite the citizens of other lands
to accept our citizenship. We send our young
men out into the world to make their way.
We are impelled ourselves to abandon
the sorely burdened and heavily crowded
East, and find homes In these fresh
and inviting countries. Every year, with the
increase of wealth and enterprise, adds to the
value Of these possessions. To squander
these lands upon railways, which simply use
them for their own gain. like the directors OF
the Pacific Railway or which lock them up
for twenty years against emisraton, like the
owners of this Lake Superior and st. Croix
scheme, is in every sense crime. We can
see no intelligent motive for legislation Of
this kind. In saying so we ara not arguing
against giving land subsidies to railways.
There are regions in the West-say
in countries like Arizona, Nevada and Mon
will be Of great advantage to the community
and materially assist In the development of
tbs national wealth. But this must be done
under the operation of a general law, framed
by wise men with care and thought
Congress should not permit itself to wantonly
pass bills which lead TO corruption as wide
spread and appalling as was seen in the build
ing Of the Pacific Railway. If sixty millions
Of dollars are given for national purpose we
must see that they are honestly expended and
invested. No such care has been shown.
This Pacific Road has had an immunity which
diouv, 70 houn hnn
appointed by Speakers of the House,
by Colfax and Blaine, on commit
tees where they could seize 1t and
more efectually pluuder the Treasury.
They have been appointed commissioners to
report upon the condition of the road, when
every one was morally certain that their re-
ports were made in the interest of the Rail-
road Ring, and were paid for in money and
bonds. They have overwhelmed the press
with their business" and virtually hushed
every spirit of criticism and inquiry. They
have gone on from victory to victory, until an
angry public sentiment, directed by an indie
pendent press. has at last com PEELED the House
to pause and consider.
We say to the republicans that if they mean
to select General Grant they can do his can
vass no greater harm than to burden him with
this Infamous land grant subsidy legislation.
The people despise the French arms intrigue.
They rate at It's true valuation the clamor about
the Custom House. They contemn the tavera
gossip about relatives In Office and presents
but when they see gangs of spectators and
adventurers conspiring to enrich themselves
at the expense of the Treasury, when they see
prinoipalities given to irresponsible private
corporations, acting without government con-
troll, and are told that these acts ore approved
by the President without veto or protest,
they will naturally feel angry and rise in
political rebellion. Upon no subject are they
more justly sensitive. For this reason we
entreat the President, in the spirit of the most
sincere friendship. to put his veto upon the
first measure that comes to him proposing to
endow irresponsible corporations with the
public domain. Let him say that he will sign
no bill that does not guard the vested rights
of the people in the most careful manner /;
that does not hold the directors of the pro-
posed enterprise to the s!ric.est scrutiny and
accountability; that gives one acre more
than is necessary to aid the enterprise,
not completely build 1t, and that does
not provide that In the event of the lands not
being sold to actual settlers within certain
time they shall revert to the government. An
effort will be made to resusoitate this bill upon
the report of conference committee. We
are confident that men as gallant as stcham,
Holman, Stevenson and Cox will continue
their war and defeat it. But whether or not,
our last reliance is in the President, and if he
would stand we'll with the people he must not
disappoint us. The conqueror of the rebellion
mus. not surrender to the lobby.