The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-29
WAsHBURN, OF WIS.
Something Of tho Sioux City Railroad
Grant-A Prosecution Wanted.

A representative OF the HERALD called upon the
Hon. G. O. Washburne. ex-Congressman and pres
ent Governor Of the State of Wisconsin, who has
been guest at the Fifth Avenue Hotel for . Few
days. The object OF the visit was to ascertain tho
Governors views upon the engr0ssing subject or
Congressional bribery and corruption, especially
with reference to the granting OF the public lands
to the Union Pacific Railroad Company and the
Sioux City and Pacific Railroad Company. The
views Of Governor Washburne are deemed OF
more Importance just now from the fact that In his
place IN the House Of Representatives, In February
1896, he
STRUCK THE FIRST BLOW
at the dangerous practice Of voting gigantic sub
sides, procured often BY cOrruptly influencing
legislation. HIS speech produced profound SEN
saton at the time and has been extensively quoted
in the HERALD and the public press generally.
Governor Washburne, however. modestly declined
TO be interviewed. But in the course Of q brief
conversation he remarked that he took occasion to
enlighten the House Of Representatives. and the
country on the subject now exciting public alton
ton in 1858, when it was his right and duty to do
30; that his Speech published in the Congressional
Globe at the time, contains all that he knows about
the special matter then under discussion. Subse-
quent developments, he said, had indicated him.
Governor Washburne says that his public duties
at present are confined to his State that when
dealing with national affairs he did not hesitate to
express himself freely on the subject OF economic
ing the public lands and moving cautiously IN re-
to point out to Congress, when the grant was
made to
that the language Of the provision OF the bill, fix
ing the line, was too loosely drawn. Instead
ofprOviding that the company should have direct
and practicable route, fixing 1t upon lands
good enough of average fair price, 1t lett the spec
ulatOr to choice OF routes and, Ot course, the cor
pOraton located their line the lett bank Of the
Missouri River, which is continuous on the bottom
lands from Sioux City to De Solo, which are very
ceptible Of the highest state Of cultivation. and
at tSs tame 81 5 sss
such lands to cofporatio1s when there
ea the rsroad saen r bottom a SUHs
Governor Washburn believes should have been re-
ton The Governor did not blame the company for
taking the land. because the act OF Congress left
them lree to go where they pleased lea The trouble
which became law. What influence was brought
about to induce the construction OF the language
BEST KNOWN TO THE COMMITTEE
who reported It. Governor Washburn expressed
his regret at the humiliating Developments now
Pacific dils Credit &obllier ana the O. Sioux
City and Pacific Railroad Company, but
made in February, 1865, win show. He thinks the
investigation ought to be vigorously prosecuted.
ana So ne Is OF opW ss tine ~ OF
land grants will be developed and will prove quite
as interesting and startling as those now under
investigation.
GOVERNOR wAsHBURN
was never In finer health and spirits and never
looked better than now. His hair is somewhat
more sprnkled with the silvery lustre Of age than
when lie left Congress two years ago. He has been
on q visit to Maine and will return home in q few
days. He did gallant service in the war of the
beiOn. returning to civil life with major gene
RAILS star He is q brother Of ex-Congressman
Israel Washburn, OF Maine; ex-Minister WASH
burn, of Paraguay, and Elhu 3. Washburn, our
Minister to FIance.