The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-12-28
Washington Correspondence.

WAsHISGToN, d. c.. Dec. 10, 1877.
ED Misunderstanding silver
question was up in the Senate today
upon concurrent resolution of Senator
Matthews, which is no doubt feeler
intended to pave the way for the Bland
silver bill that has already passed the
House, and will no doubt pass the Sem
ate. Senator Matthews made power
ful speech to-day upon this resolution,
making fine exhibition of the reserved
force and latent strength of the man as
he warns up to the work. aud especial
ly in an impromptu reply to various
questions propounded to him by the
opponents of the resolution.
Through the letter of introduction Of
the junior editor of the INTELLIIENcER,
and cousin of the Senator, have made
his personal acquaintance and spent an
evening with him at his house. He
Is one Of those cool, quiet and pleasant
men that yon feel at home with. and
who has time and patience for every
ting. Senator Matthews has recently
been put ON the Senate Committee on
Railroads in the place of Senator Howe.
As all bills relating to the Northern Pa
cifie Railroad aud their land grants goes
before the committee of which Senator
NJ atthews is chairman. its complexion
is q matter Of Importance to us, and in
Senator Matthews We have a patient,
dispassionate and disinterested inquirer
after truth and right. and that Is all
We need and desire
Senator Mitchell OH the Sd ult, iu-
troduced in the Senate the famous bill
foreshadowe ed in his letter of the 10Th of
July last. published in the Portland
Bee. This bill provides among other
things. that the lands granted to the
branch line of the Northern Pacific
Railroad be restored to settlement.
which, Of course, so far, is what we de-
sire. But this bill further provides,
that an equal amount of lands of those
restored, be granted to the Portland,
South Pass and Salt Lake road. and
that the main line of the Northern Pa
| cific Railroad be constructed on the
south side of the Columbia river to
Portland. &C., SC.
The bill virtually makes Portland the
terminus, however it makes one provis-
ion compelling the Company to fill the
gap between Portland and Kalama by
the construction OF that part of the road.
Of course if the bill should pass, it
would better our present condition in
50 much rs the restoration of these
lands to settlement would benefit US.
In any event that such is likely to be
accomplished, and that was all that our
people originally demanded But this
proposition of Oregon to make the res
! toration of these lands the basis of a
grant to an Oregon road, coupled with
the other proposition of virtually re-
moving the terminus OF the Northern
Pacific road to Portland, leaving Wash.
ington Territory entirely out in the
cold, is an indignity the people of this
Territory can never submit to. and it
will be resisted vigorously. In this
matter Senator Mitchell is but endeav-
oring to carry out the will. if not d.
| rectly obeying the instructions of the
people of Oregon. But the Senator as
chairman of the committee to whom
this bill has been referred, promises us
full hearing before the committee,
and is just, and even generous, in af-
fording us the means of a fair contest.
Senator Mitchell expresses himself
anxious to agree upon such amend
ments-in committee to his bill, as will
make it acceptable to the people of
both Oregon AMI Washington if posi-
BILE. l am satisfied he is sincere in this,
and the important question is, how
much and what can be conceded with
the appreciation of his constituents; for
OF course with all politicians this is the
center point. So far rs this proposed
new grant of lands is concerned, we are
safe in saying that If the Seattle and
Walla Walla railroad is included so as
to make the grant for through line
from Puget Sound, it would not only
satisfy our people. but would give
00uAsAouoi StASuStu " Tue Dill
and increases the chances OF its passage.
OF this l think Senator Mitchell is fully
satisfied.
But committed aud pledged as he is to
| the scheme of making Portland the
grand terminus of all roads and routes
! Of transportation, he cannot voluntarily
consent 10 a materisl modification Of
his bill in this respect. Our only
course then, is to endeavor to compel
him to do it, by fair and full presen-
tation of the facts in the case to the
Committee and Congress. which will
be done. Of course it will be borne
| in mind that territory is in no posi-
ton to dictate terms to. or even demand
fair compromise with State; but it
| is the privilege of even . Territory to
refuse to surrender except on honorable
terms.
! Oregon commenced the siege of
Washington Territory in 1870. by first
seoucing the Northern Pacific Railroad
by transferring to it seventy-6ve per
cent. of the stock of that monopoly of
the Columbia River. the Oregon Steam
Navigation Company. and then legis-
lating the nain line Of the Northern
Pacific Railroad from across the Cascade
Mountains to the Columbia River route.
which led to and was the cause Of the