The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-12-26
land GRABS.

lst. We d'c opposed to further grants qfhe
public lands to corporations and monopoies.
and demand that the national domain be set
apart for free homes. for the people. NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM JUNE 6, 1872.
2nd lVeare opposed 10 all further grants Of
lands to railroads or other corporations The
public domain sioud be held sacred to actual
settlers. NATIONAL LIBERAL REPUBLICAN
PLATFORM MAY 8, 1872.
3rd. Iyearc opposedt TO all further grants of
lands to railroads or other corporations. Tie
public domain siould be held sacred to actlqI
settlers. NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PLAT
FORM July 10, 1872
4th. That III. public lands Of the Uaaed
States belong 10 tie people and should not be
sofd 10 RdiridaaS nor granted to c0rporatio,ls,
but shouldbe held as a sacred trust .Jor the
benefit ofhe people, and should be granted to
Sandiess settlers only, IN amounts not exceeding
one hundred and Sirty acres Of laad Ma
TIoSAL LABOR REFORM PLATFORM FEB.
%, 1872.
1t will thus be seen that all the political
organizations in the United States stand up
on the same platform in relation to the pub
tic lands. How well the Republicans since
June 1872 have fulfilled the solemn pledge
then made upon the subject we have
examined in a previous article. Our busi-
ness at present is with our own party organ-
zation, for finding itself in power in the
lower House atWashington for the first time
in more than fifteen years, and that too on
the eve of q most intense struggle for purity
of government and the destruction of the
corrupt rings now dominating at the Federal
capitol, before entering upon its legislative
career it should stop and take the political
bearings. And that becomes the more
necessary because we see at this time called
and semi-official meeting of men, eminent
or notorious as lobbyists, congregating at
st. Louis, to take and concert measures to
push forward the Texas Pacific railroad. 1t
is intended to forestall and capture public
opinion and thus brings a pressure to bear
upon Congress whereby millions of acres of
the public lands are to be voted to this project,
and the Land Grab Ring still further en-
rlched at the expense of the people.
This st. Louis meeting is preparation
for another Jay Cooke and Credit Mobiier
swindle. Stocks and sections of lands will
be put where they will do most good
Lobbyists will be plethoric with certificates,
and checks and promises The Oakes Ames's
will hunt up the Schuyler Colfaxes, the
buzzards will be gathered to the carrion.
We warn now and in advance, the COM
ing Democratic Speaker, whoever he may
be, that he be careful in the make up of the
committees. We warn the late Vice Presi-
dent Of the Texas Pacific that it is a rock in
his pathway. The people are tired of promi-
ses without performances, and they will hold
to strict accountability the Land Grabbers
and their Congressional abettors and coad-
tutors. The man who betrays his trust and
his party must 60 down he who links him
selfwith the corruptionists and jobbers shall
have no part nor lot in the publication and
regeneration which are sure to come. Look
to your acts and votes, therefore Gentleman,
and do you, o ye People make it war to
the knife and the knife to the hilt on those
who, having sought your confidence betray
it to your destruction.