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

Thus we see that greatness does not 60
unrequited.
Tho Overthrow Of the Lobby-Lct Us Iiavo
an End of Land Grants.
The exposures and admonitions Of the
HERALD were manifest in the action of the
House on Friday, on the proposal to renew
the land grant to the st. Crox and Lake
Superior Railroad. The contest was closely
fought by the friends of reform and retrench-
ment, headed by Mr.. Cox, Mr.. Holman, Mr..
Stevenson and General Ketchum, members Of
different parties. 1t is with regret that we
find men like Dawes, Farnsworth, Hooper,
Lynch, Slooum, Wheeler and Poland voting in
favor Of a measure which was q fragrant
outrage upon the public credit. But at the
same time the public sense Of the House was
strong enough to overbear this array of dis
unguished names. They must answer to
their constituents.
We have examined this bill carefully, and
we do not see that it has one redeeming quail
ity. The franchise contemplated by the bill
was granted many years ago. The owners
grant was made it would have been of great
advantage to Wisconsin. The State was young,
undeveloped, with an overplus of public lands,
and could have given of its superabundant
acres to build railway. But the men who
owned the franchise had no such intention.
They cared nothing for the enterprise or the
growth of Wisconsin. They simply yearned
for money. They held the grant for ten years.
1t was renewed for five years. Not dollar
was spent in the development Of the road.
Money was made in an efforS to found the new
town Of Superior City, and 1t seems like
recalling chapter of the history of the last
generation when we learn that the enterprise
enured to the benefit of such men as Stephen
A. Douglas, John G. Breckenridge, Robert
Toombs and John Slidell. 1t was in some
respects venerable job. Every year added
to the value of the lands. A franchise, with
two dollars an acre, increased in value to ten
and twelve dollars an acre. An easy Con-
gress had on two occasions confirmed the
grant, and there was no doubt similar
Influences would still control. Congress had
been lavish 10 giving away the lands. 1t had
given sixty millions of dollars to build road
to the Pacific, which might as well have
been built for twenty millions. 1t had
given the Northern Pacific as much
land as is included in the European area of
France, and no better lands remain. There
was no room to doubt that there would be the
same spirit Of legislative complaisance. Men
of national repute-eminent for their 'shon-
esty" and integrity" like Dawes and
Hooper-were induced to support it. The
lobby was rallied in force. AS we have said,
the vermin of legislation seemed to swarm
and crawl over the House. Combinations
were made with the Yerba Buena people,
behind whom was the great Central Pa
cific Railway. All the delicacies and COM
forts and luxuries of modern civilization were
devoted to the work. Money was spent 10
retaining counsel" in paying gambling
debts" There were dinners, receptions, as
semblies. and everything was on the food
tide to success.
Then came the HERALD exposure of the
lobby. We have read of the bombardment of
the calico forts with which the Chinese at
tempted to guard their coasts when menaced
by the English navy. In a fgurative sense,
1t seemed as If columbiad had sent its round
shot ripping, tearing, destroying. The lobby
forts were found to bs calico-the turrets
and bastions ingeniously painted fctions.
The lobby was shattered, aud all that was
seen were fragments of wine glasses, viands,
playing cards, faro "chps, cigars and flowers,
with the masters In ignominious retreat. The
surrender Of Erie, complete and prompt as 1t
was, was only rivalled by the downfall of the
lobby. The most perfect combination ever
formed against the Treasury was routed.
When the vote came many members ran away
and would not vote. They had fragrant re-
mains of "Dick" Franchot's champagne and
"Sam" Wards cigars, and had not the heart
to disappoint the luxurious and hospitable cx-
pectations of their sanity hosts. So they left
the field. Farnsworth and Dawes held their
ground with their followers. Mr.. Dawes is
leader of the House. He has made
many blatant speeches in favor of re-
trenchment. He gives US every year dia-
tribe upon corruption and extravagance. His
reputation as an honest man has been care
fully nursed by his friends and followers. Yet
he did not disdain to unite himself with
shameless lobby and to lead in wanton at
tack upon the Treasury which he has so meri-
toriousIy defended" But all in vain Mr..
Dawes could not save the scheme, and he
retreats out of the contest with sorely
wounded reputation. When the leader Of the
House makes himself the leader of the lobby
we may we'll mourn for the absence of public
virtue In public men.
Inc defeat of this measure is full of instruc-
tlon' 1t means that the subsidy business is
wrong. Congress has no more right to
ALLEVIATE the public domain for private gain