, 1877-04-28

70 The Editor Of he Northern Star:

There is. in my opinion, no one thing
which more hindcrs the settling up of
our country and the development of our
natural resources than the fact that all
the lands north of Tacoma are with
drawn from market, and title can be OBJ
tanned to the even sections 0Hiy under
the Presumption and Homestead laws,
and these too are advanced in price to
$3.50 per acre, without any prospect of
the settler ever receiving any of the ben
etits of the railroad communication for
which he must pay in the purchase of
his land. Again, the fact that no title
can he obtained from either the Railroad
Company or the Government of the odd
sections. not only prevents in Il great
measure settlements being made in COM
munities near enough to each individual
settler to enjoy the benefits of Il district
school, but actually prevents the settle
ment of our fertile lands by colonies or
organized communities, which is the
mIst economical and practicable man.
ner of founding settlements.
The Homcsteatlpr, unless hehl served
on the side OF the Government in the
hate civil war, is restricted to go acres of
land, instead OF 100, and the pre-emp-
tor must pay $500 more than he would
were it not for the Withdrawal If these
lands.
We are told by some, that this state of
Affairs will all be rtncdied by the non.
| tulRlment of the conditions OF the grant
on the part ot the Railroad Company,
and that these lands wilhall revert to the
Government by the first of July next.
In the new bill drawn 10y the attorney
for the Northern Pacific Railroad Com.
pany, which has been pending before
! Congress in the last session, the Railroad
Company did not ask for an extension
ot time on the lands subject to the with
drawal north of Tacoma; but It is de
Cihed in the Supreme Court of the Uni
ted States, in the case of Schulenberg
and Others VS.. Hartman (repOrted III
2lst Wallace that such grants convey q
real rested interest to the Railroad Com.
pany which cannot be determined or va
Gated by mere non compliance of con.
dition subsequent on the part Of the
Railroad Company, hut there must be
some action on the part OF tae grantor
(the United Slates). either legislative or
iu1icial, in order to divest the Railroad
Company OF their vested right in these
lands. In the light OF this decision, the
mere tact that the Railroad Company
does not ask for an extension Of time on
these lands will not restore them to the
Government, nor are they restored after
the first of July next, even though the
bill, seeking an extension OF time on the
remainder OF the grant, should pass Con
gress in its present form ut the special
session. The condition of these lands
will remain unchanged after the first of
July next, unless Congress Dnsscs some
Act declaring the grnt forfeited by the Rail
road Company, and the lands reverted " the
Government.
On the part of the Railroad Company wise
and able lawyers ARE employed 10 represent
their interest, and secure the passage Of such
measures as are deemed most beneficial " the
company, while on the part Of .he Territory
the many scores Of interests needing CongIes
siOnal or executive action, IL intrustcd 10 one
mau. who has not even vote in the House
wherein, IN name only, he II IL member. When
a question like Mis, Of such viiai importance
to the present and future prosperity Of our
Territory, is to be- settled, either by extend
ilG Lhc shadows, To an unlimited period, which
now darken every business prospect OF this
community, or by throwing oil the letters
which have so long bound u~ IN the interest Of
the Railroad Company, is il the part Of wis.
dom for Us ~ fold our hands In iistlcsS ndif
ference and manifest no concern IN this mat
ter? The counties in the Puget Sound Basin
affected 10y this withdrawal are Mason, KiLssp,
King, Jefferson. Clulam, l-lard San Juan,
SnVhOmish and Whutcom. II N each Of these
counties the citizens would organize and send
one delegate to Seattle, and these delegates be
clothed with authority or power enough TO
devise means and carry into effect such meas
nres III u them should seem best calculated 70
insure the TestOratiUn OF these lands ~ the
Government, have no doubt Olt that the ob.
ject could be- accomplished IN this special sts.
sion OF Congress. But If We -elnGin inactive
and do nothing, We have no reason 10 expect
anything. Now, while the Railroad Company
are supplIants asking for fGyOr' 4: the haDdg
OF the Government, u the vary time 10 put
forth our efforts " secure th,- blessing 70 our
Territory. W. =. 7iHrlUc