, 1878-01-12
SATURDAY ...... JAN. 10, 1878.
MitcheIi's Speech.

We have read with great inter
est the speech of Senator Mitch
ell on the introduction of his bill
for the extension of time to the
Northern Pacific Railroad Com
pany to perfect their grant. The
speech is not only able but con-
elusive so far as 1t relates to the
conditions upon which the extcn-
sion ought to be conceded. In
conclusion the Senator says:
Z" 1t has been suggested that
the Northern Pacific Railroad
Company would not accept the
terms proposed by the bill. l
do not know that this suggestion
comes from that company, but if
it does, should be disposed to
regard it in no other hight than
a bid for better terms at the ex-
pense of the public interests
The bill may be imperfect in de-
tail, and may require amendment
in these particulars; but any
material departure from it's fun
damental features, either in re-
ference to the location of the
grants or disposition Of the same,
would in my Judgment, after
mature reflection, be to make an
inexcusable surrender to grasp
ing corporation, by subordina-
ting to their demands the more
important and higher interests
of the people and of the country.
And In making this statement |
feel that | do but give utterance
to the almost unanimous judg-
ment Of the people west of the
Rocky Mountains who are di-
rectly interested in this enter
prise. No, Mr.. President, the
provisions of this measure must
not be limited or controlled by
the cupidity of corporate power.
That dominant trait in the char
acter Of Oliver Twist, and so full
ly exempllfed in the lives of
many private corporations, would
in such an event inevitably ele-
yate individual interests above
that of the masses; and though
a grant princely in its nature
may be rendered; though the
proceeds of the sale of forty
en- millions acres of the public
domain may be offered, the cry
Of sGive us more would still be
the greedy response Of insatiate
corporate power. While, there
fore, the Northern Pacific Rail
road Company may insist on
tmore' in this particular instance
than this bill comedies, that they
wilt accept this measure, in all
respects just and meritorious as
it is to ali concerned, there can
be no room to doubt.
Whatever enay be said of Mr..
Mitchell's previous personal his
tory-and we have spoken Of
that in as strong terms Of con-
demnation as any one-it cannot
be denied that he has served the
interests Of his State with zeal
and fidelity that has few paral-
lels in the Senate. Had he been
eorruptible, such an opportunity
rarely occurs in the life Of any
public man. His position as
Senator from Oregon and chair
man of the committee, is one OF
commanding influence. 1t may
be said without exaggeration,
"There's millions in it," With
pending donation from the
Government Of nearly $4,000, 900
acres of public lands. or the pro-
ceeds therof, estimated at nearly
120,O0O,000, there is no reason
able room for doubt that Mr..
MithelI could have commanded
his own price from a company
which has heretofore scrupled at
no means which would promote
their own interests. That he
represents the popular sentiment
not only Of Oregon but of Wash
inton Territory in regard to the
conditions of the renewal of the
grant, there can be no reasona-
BILE doubt. We believe in render
ing to every man-not excepting