New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-25

| cred all the odd numbered sections, subject
to the rights Of such settlers as might be in
possession of particular tracts. Under that
theory it was to the interest of the railroad
company to remove as many settlers as pos
| sible from the odd numbered sections, mas
much as the railroad grant would then take
| effect upon such tracts, and they would be-
come the property of the company.
Having their mercenary motives thus
prompted and stimulated, it was the prac-
tice Of these companies to resort to all sorts
OF schemes and tricks to Oust the settlers
that might be located upon odd numbered
| sections. To this end they employed spe-
cial agents to superintend proceedings
against such settlers. The more willy and
unscrupulous the agent, the better salary
he was paid. One of their maneuvres was
to serve notice upon homestead settlers to
attend a trial at the local land Office, often
times fifty, sixty and eighty miles distant,
upon charge OF having abandoned their
claims, well knowing that the majority of
settlers would be unable to meet the ex-
penses Of such a proceeding, no matter how
groundless might be the charge of aban-
donment. AS a consequence those who had
not the means to carry on the contest aban-
doned their lands and moved further west.
In their treatment of the pre-emption
settlers their policy was somewhat differ
ent-in this case a fraud upon the govern
ment. These settlers, on proving up under
the law, were required to pay for their
lands at the rate of 81 IS per acre. To
these the agents of the companies would
propose that if they would abandon their
claims under the pre-emptiOn law, the
companies would sell them the same land
at the rate of 81 an acre; and for the sake
OF saving $40 on quarter section, many
pre-emptors went through the formaity OF
abandonment by withdrawing their filings.
BY such operations these companies have
succeeded in Ousting from the Odd-numr
bered sections large proportion OF the
settlers found upon them when the lines Of
their roads were located. These are the
lands. thus acquired and thus held, that
the Secretary decided not to be covered
by the grants made to the companies;
that they were reserved and excluded from
them, and that, on being abandoned by the
settlers, did not inure to the railroad com
panies, but belonged to the government.
The aggregate of the lands thus claimed by
railroad companies throughout the Western
States and Territories amounts to many mil
lions ofacres. For a portion of them the com
panies have obtained patents and certified
lists. Other portions have been selected.
but no conveyances for them have yet been
made by the Department. The companies
claim that when they receive patents for
these lands from the department, the title
has passed out of the government, and that
no further action can be taken in respect to
them by the executive officers. And this
seems to be the view taken by the Commits
sioner of the General Land Office. In a num-
Der of cases lately he refused to cancel such
cOnveyances, upon the ground that patents
having been issued for them, the title had
passed to the railroad companies, and that
he had no longer any control over such
laands. 1t is claimed on the other
hand by those who differ from this
view, that the department has no
power to make legal title to any tract of
land except when authorized by Congress,
and that any attempt to convey to a rail
road company lands not granted to it by
Congress is mere nullity, conveying no
title. The different Western railroad com
panies are making the effort to obtain the
passage of an act confirming their title to
such lands, lands which have been aban
doned by settlers mainly through the in
strumentality of the companies themselves.
The injustice and improperly of such
law consist in the fact that the compa
MES have been guilty of great and fragrant
outrages against the rights of the settlers
and the United States. Should an act be
passed repeating their grants, it would
be condign punishment and rebuke.
THE CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATING COM
MITTEE.
1t is believed that the congressional in
vestigating committee, finding that they
can not make a report without damaging
the cause of the administration, will not re-
port at all. 1t is known that Mr.. Scotield
the chairman of the committee, is in favor
port against the federal officials, and that
Mr., McCreary is pronouncedly so. But they
have no majority. On the whole they are
in a somewhat embarrassing position The
developments made by this investigation
have greatly swelled the reaction against
Grant and doubt increases as to his renom-
ination. The disgust is so general here that
one seldom meets with friend of the Presi-
dent outside of the departments, and even
among the officials indications of back
sliding are rife. Nor is this opposition of a
quiet character Open and loud denun-
citation is common. The mysterious whis-
perings about military rule have ripened |
into open predictions, and there is stern
ness among men that would be easily pro- |
voked into fury. This extravaganza of the |
over Jealous is at least an index to the |
disaffection. RAD.
Base Ball.
We notice, by advertisement elsewhere, |
that the Baltic and Lone Star clubs N |
nlav tho firSt pama of tho sarieS todav IN |