Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-04-11

leagues, and has presented stron:
minority report. The amount Of lant
claimed under the old Mexican grant i
about IL eco acres, but the majority o.
ths committee recommend bill which
would give McGarrahan and his silen
partners 8 10000 or l0,c ,cUOco acres ol
the public lands, to be located anywhere
on the public domain. The sur
veyed value of scrip issued on such
conditions is, as Pacheco points out
at least Sc an aero, 30 the bill propose.
to indemnify McGarrahan by turn.
ing over to him and partners property
worth 35o.OO0,OOO or SEQ, )O,C--): and the
committee on private land claims, in
order to establish basis O: indemnifca-
tion. has to fly in the face of q repeated
decision of tho Supreme Court of the
United States, which has declared that
Mexican grants of land did not carry
with them titles to minerals, but that
1t remained in the Government of Mex
loo, and with the transfer of territory
the title of all minerals passes to the
Government of the United States.
Moreover, the Supreme Court of the
United States unanimously adjudRed the
Gomez grant, upon which McGarrahan's
claims rest, to be involved. After not
ing several judicial decisions against
the claim. Pacheco forcibly remarks,
under such circumstances tho proposals
of the bill come to the minority open to
the objection that they are in indirect
assault upon a subordinate branch CT
the Government, and are dangerous as a
precedent, in that the Gomez claim is
but one of more than 40 rejected Cali
fornia land claims, few of which are of
less merit than that of Gomez. If Nc
Garrahan can secure an enactment now
of the bill, which he has prevailed upon
a majority Of the Committee to report,
he ought to feel abundantly satisfied
with his investment of $11C0 which is
the sum he paid for the Gomez grant,
and his partners will be able to divide a
pretty sum among themselves and their
pals" whether Congressman, ex-Con-
gressnsn or lawyers.
Change Of Ministers.
New York. April 10.-The Tri6ane's s
Washington special says it is rumored
the foreign post for which Judge Taft's
name il under consideration is the mis-
sion to England in place of Lowell.
Well informed Republicans say Taft
will reach Washington on Tuesday, and
it il supposed he comes for consulta-
ton.
War Steamer Missins.
Commodore Luce is unable to under
stand the non-arrival in the United
States steamer Portsmouth. He has
heard nothing from her since her de-
parture from Hampton Roads.
Sentiment OF Trades Unlons.
An amalgamation of Trades Unions
has adopted resolutions declaring that
as the President had vetoed the Lill to
restrict the importation of coolies, the
Unions regard it as another evidence
from the governing classes that the in
terests of the working population were
not considered. and that the President
had ignored the interests of tho people
by protecting the interests of the Chi
nese companies; extending greeting to
their brothers on the Pacific coast, bid
ding them to continue the work, and as
suring them that victory will crown their
efforts. Their platform Of principles
calls for eight hours for a days work,
compensation to be just and fair for tho
labor performed.