The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1880-10-30
DAILY INTELLIGENCER.
the LAND GRANT 0UesTISs.

hsave mud upon Mr.. Brents for + OF do
ing W bat be himself was hired bat fail
ed TO do. Mr.. McGilvrs waspaid to 90
to Washington City a. the attorney Of
the people Of Seattle and King county,
TO prevent the Northern Pacific Com
pany getting q grant Of King county
land for the building Of their Puyallup
coal road. What be did for the six.
eight or ten hundred dollars given him
didn't amount to anything. and the
money hal better have been throwninto
the Sound. Mr.. Brents went to WASH
ington City not a. the special attorney
of Seattle and King county, bat ~ the
attorney of Washington Territory
every part of 1t. Hs ives the attorney
of Dem ocrsts as well a. Republicans.
OF corporations 80 we'll as ofmen, Of one
and ell alike. This matter Of the land
grant WAS settled by act Of Congress
long years ago, while Mr.. Brents and
Mr.. Burke were schooiboys Congress,
with the consent and approval OF the
people. gave SO much land per mile to
aid in building the road. They were
legally entitled to that land for the
building OF their road in Minnesota and
Dakota. and they got IL. They were
legally entitled to that land for the
building Of their road from Kalama 10
Tacoma and from Tacoma to Wilkeson.
and they got it. and they are legally en-
titled to that land for building the road
from Ainsworth to Pen d'Oreills. and
they are getting it as fast rs they apply
for it. There is no power recognized
in this country by which they can be
or could DO deprived Of single acre Of
that land. and Mr.. McGilyra knows It
A few years ago the Company wanted
an extension Of time for the completion
Of their road. They thought 1t was
necessary. to hold their land grant In
order to sppease our people and quiet
the opposition they offered TO relinquish
large acreagein King county. to which
they were legally entitled. This was
about the time Of Mr.. McGilvra's spe-
cial attorneyship, and If it could have
been accomplished ct any tune il was
then, when the Company Was willing,
aid @. no other time. The Northern Pa
eifc Company bas since sscertained
that an extension is not neces-
sary 20 enable them 10 retain their
grant. II is thiers to the end Of time,
unless declared forfeited BY Congress
for the failure 10 build Aad earn. The
lands along the completed lines chat Of
the Puyallup includsd) are theirs be-
yond recall. Upon ascertainiug this
fact. the Company concluded that its
interests would not warrant the giving
to our people Of several hundred thous.
and acres Of land. worth well.nigh Q
million dollars. They ignored their
former offer, and soon after assumed
the ownsrship aud began the sale Of
the lauds In question. This Was doae
not only before Mr.. Brents went to the
city OF Washington. but before his
nomination. Whom the Company de-
ternined to hold the lands. the only
feasible thing that could be done was
to suspend the effort 10 secure their re.
liIquishment. Any other course would
have been simply Quixotic. Recoguix.
ing the truth uf this assertion. nothing
further was done. THIS Il statement
of the facts. 10 it 10 nothing and can
be nothing discreditable TO Mr.. Brents.
any more than to Mr.. Burke. IL there
is anyone towards whom the people Of
King county have right 10 feel be ri In
this matter it 10 Mr.. McGilvra. Who bad
the opportunity aud WIS took the
money out OF their pockets and gave
them nothing in return. When Mr..
McGilvra attempts TO defeat the cleo
tiou Of any man in King county. he in.
variAbly fails. His assaults upon others
are regarded by the people rather Is .
recommendation. and the chances Of q
candidate are improved in proportion
- his opposition 10 open and avowsd,
Recognizing the truth of this. his posi.
ton in the present campaign hes been
behind screen. in the removal Of
which We take pleasure. Mr.. Burke
will b helped by Mr. McGilvra just one
vote. while Mr. Bsenss viii BE- helped
by him Enthusiastically many votes.
The prsssnt politiesl campaign has
been the cleanest ever conducta.i In IN.