The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-01-22
ABSORPTION OF TIMBER
LANDS.

We learn That recent attempt was
made By one OF the largest mill com-
panic: on Puget Sound. tn locate Mexi.
can War scrip upon timber lands sta.
ated along the Sksgit river. the largest
tributary of Puget Sound, and that the
Land Department rejected the filings
on the ground tina. those warrants were
not negotiable by purchase; that they
were issued to soldiers for services rem
dered. and were valid only between the
United States, and the holders thereof
or their natural heirs; aud that no 10.
cations Of land under such warrants
were valid. save to the parties uamed
therein or their heirs. This will only
retsrd. we fear, but not wholly prevent
the Wholesale swallowing up Of 9 prin-
cipslity by a few Inoneyed companies,
composed. for the most part of non
resident capitalists. vino spend abroad
the earnings arising from the destruc-
ton OF one Of our greatest natural
resources.
Take for instance the Puget Mil
Company, managed by very worthy
gentleman who is Q large stockholdeI
in it, and resps liberal salary for the
services rendered by him. Que halt
the stock Of that company is owned by
two men residing in San Frsncisco who
seldom visit the place which make,
them sll their money, and large part
Of the remsinder is owned by citizsn'
Of the State Of Maine, who never ses
nor care to see the scene Of their tusi-
ness operations. A few hundred thous.
and dollars are annually disbursed here,
it il true; but the profits of the concern
ore spent ab,ssd. Within the past
three years ii has extended ito opera
tions up the Snohomish river and
taken away nearly half that trade which
was once bestowed upon Seattle. II
has closed up Utsalady a. . millbg
port, and now completes with La Con-
nsr - an emporium for the grain trade
Of tho 6winon ish fats. No one fixes
the amount OF land owned by this CON-
mans, a. La. thc,, . t,u1ra1 tho.,.oc 4
acres and yet, like Oliver T sist, it il
asking for moro,
But the Puget Mill Company, which
has done much toward doveloping.the
resources Of this Territory, and con-
tributsd largely to its prosperity in the
past. in this is doing nothing more than
any other corporation would, under the
same circumstances. nor differently
from what the other milling corpora
tions on the Sound would do with the
sumo means ct their command ; yet this
state Of affairs Is rapidly becoming q
public calamity, for these great com
panies are endeavoring to make close
boroughs of all the good harbors on
the Sound, and at the same time leave
no lands open TO settlement for the
great army of immigrants that are
slowly and surely marching westward.
II the profits of these great numbering
enterprises were spent here, it would
in some degree compensate for the loss
Of the timber and tho exclusion of i'm
migration. Ireland is . wealthy coun-
try naturally, but lsnguishss in poverty
bscauss her profits are oil squandered
in England and on the Continent Of
Europe. This will be the history OF
Puget Sound. if something is not done
to stop the encroachments of these non.
resident capitalists. They are now cut
ting against the prosperity of this
embryo State like two edged sword.
What 10 the use Of inviting immigra.
ton hither. If We can give them no
homes after they arrive. This is be-
coming the land Of exclusive privi'
leges, and if the Secretary Of the In.
terror has intsrposed merely tempo
rary check upon the rspacity Of thess
large corporations. he deserves th.
thanks Of the people.