, 1877-11-17
NORTH PACIFIC RAILROAD.
SENATOR MITCHELLs BILL RENEWING THE
LAND GRANT.

| LAND GRANT.
! WASHINGTON. Nov. 9-Senator Mitch
ellis bill proposes to grant eight years eA-
tension Of time for the construction OF the
line of the North Pacific Railroad, VIA
Portland, Oregon, to Tacoma, on Puget
Sound The lands hitherto withdrawn on
the route of this branch, if not earned by
the company within the time prescribed
by the existing law, are to be restored to
the public domain, to be disposed o: ike
other public lands under the direction OF
the secretary of the interior, and IN heu
| of the amount of lands thus freed an equal
number of acres are to be granted to the
| Portland. Salt Lake and South Pass rail
| way company ian Oregon company along
their line from Umatilla to Salt Lake,
provided they commence work within SIX
months from the enactment OF this bill
and construct % miles of road the first
wear and not less than 30 miles annually
thereafter, and complete the whole road
within four years.
The bill provides that the road between
Umatilla and Portland is to remain q
common road for the use Of both eompa-
MES upon terms to be fixed if necessary by
the arbitration of commission to be ap-
poinied by the president of the United
States. 1t isprovided that the extensions
and privileges to be granted to the North
Pacific company by this bill shall be upon
the express condition that 1t shall In SIX
months from the passage of the act conf
menc, the construction of the road either
at Portland or at some other point be-
tween Umatilla and the mouth of Snake
river, and construct and equip eastward III
one wear thereafter not less than 40 and at
least 80 miles each succeeding year until
completed. If these requirements are not
complied with the Oregon corporation Is
to have the right to build the common
road above referred to, and be entitled to
the aid now provided, by building ~
miles within a year after three mouth S
failure on the part of the Pacific road to
commence it, and % miles annually there
after.
The bill further provides that all lands
thereafter earned by the Co. shall be sold
by government and the proceeds placed
| in the L. S. treasury to constitute sink
ing fund with with which to pay aecruing
| interest upon the first mortgage construc-
ton bonds that shall be hereafter issued
by the company for construction Of any
portion of the road The money thus ac-
cumulated is to be paid out semi annually
As the road is completed and accepted III
sectious, as provided for by the existing
law, and limited in amounts to the value
of the land grants opposite to and co-ter-
minous with such completed and accepted
sections of the road valued at $50 per
acre, which payment shall be made by the
secretary of the treasury to holders Of the
interest coupons of such construction bonds
pro rata if the sinking fund is deficient
but it is provided that nGthing herein
contained shall be construed as creating
any liability upon the part of the Uuited
States to guarantee or pay any interest
Oh any of the bonds of said company IN
excess of the money arising from the pre-,
emption and sale of lands granted to such
company and paid into the treasury 40
aforesaid.
preceoilS sceti"h Vi inc pii Pio'i"0
that during five years after the expiration o
the time prescribed by the existing law fol
the completion of the road. all lands here
tofcre granted shall be disposed Of only t.
prescription settlers at s. 80 per aare, but
after these five years have elapsed, the gov
ernment shall, if the company so request a
any time during the further period of fiv.
years may offer tbs odd numbered section:
opposite any portion of the completed road
for public sale to the highest bidder with I
limitation of 81 % per acre as to price, ana
I6O acres as to the quantity purchasable b.
any one individual. Fhe billln other sections
protects the rights Of all persons who settled
upon lands within the railroad limits prior t.
the receipt of withdrawal at the respective
land Offices.