West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-06-05

THE Hon Beuilmu f. Martin has been
asssiled p, home for his opposition 10 sub
sides aud for the Introduction of a resolu-
tiOn ia the House demanding that the
lands granted 10 railroads which haYo been
forfeited by them through noncompliance
with the conditions Of the grants, shall be
returned 10 the Government. There have
been no acts IN the public careers Of any
mcn in the past history Of The country that
eniitle them TO a crater public commeud6-
ton than those OF Mr.. Martin above refer
red to- The attqol en-
auates from friends OF the Texas Pacif:
subsidies, and proceeds on the false as
sumption that il is read being constructed
to subserve aud develop southern inter
ests, whilo the truth is that corporations
having their headquarters in New York,
owning aud controlling great and con,in-
uous lines Of railroad to 81. Louis and
from st. Louis west Of the Mississippi
River and the state OF tho South TO Fort
Worth in Texas, arc TO be the real bcncG-
Charles. They own and control the Texas
Pacific railroad, and their intercet IS 10
consolidate thcse linics outside aud west
OF the boundaries of the body Of the
Southwestern States with The Texas and
Pacific railroad 70 make thai- Northwest
ern poropcrlY more valuable and build in
to greater proportion mouopoliIs that al
ways endangcr the public safety. <
The resolution introduced by Dir Mar
tin, requiring The return to the Govern
ment OF lands granted in ala Of railroads
ana which have been forfeited by non-com
pliGucc with the conditions OF their grants,
was the exercise by him Of the very high
est public Guty. When the grants were
made .nducemont TO capital FOR construct
ion was popular, and had some jusufca-
ton. There con be no Justification for the
demands of the Texas Pacific railroad
now, for private capital has constructed
line on the same parallels.
The failure 20 lcgislatc to return these
lands 10 the Government is shameful,
pubic Outrage, which, if understood by
Tic people, would subject is advocates to
condemnation and disgrace. The time has
passed when any respectable member OF
Congress dare vote away the public do
main or public treasury in all OF tending
private monopolias Every vote extend
ing their time for construction is, in legal
affect, new grant of land and is vicious
aud viOlatiye of the public Will rs the sup
port of new schemc in tie interest Of
land grubbors.
The extent OF these GRANTS forfeited to
the GOyeihmCut, must be understood, to
give force to Mr.. Martins resolution and
the imDortancc Of action upon it They
exceed 100 0OO0C) acres, representing, if
IN q body, O greater geographic area than
the States Of East and West Virginia, Ohio
and Iudiana, combined, and embracing q
great amount, of the very beet land on the
continent. Until this orsoue kindred res
oiulion is passed, that land is not subj ct
to sale, entry, preemp'ion, or homestead
ing. The railroads to whom they were
originally grautcl have nc more legal or
equitable right TO them than the Car OF
Russia or the King OF the Canpibal Ilsand
They are forfeited 30 the Government aud
are property Of The people The failure
to so act that tie people can enjoy them,
IS IN outrage rs 1lgrant as ever disgrsced
our annals. Their present money value is
from five bundled millions 60 orc thou
sand millions Of dollars.
Our Representative is entitled to lasting