Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-07
British Honduras, and the impression pre-


of 1850 English inhabitants have spread
into The territory of the neighhoring re-
publics, and occupy land which belongs
to one OF the two republics, but
over which the Government of Her
Msjesty assumes to exercise control.
Such dominion seems to be Inconsistent
with that provision of the treaty which
prohibits the exercise OF dominion by Great
Britain over any part of Central America. At
the time Of the conclusion of the Clayton
Bulwer treaty English privileges in Belize
were confined TO a right to cut wood and
establish saw mills, and were conferred by
treaties in which Spanish sovereignty was
II recognized.
Upon the conclusion of the treaty. Sir
Henry Bulwer filed a declaration, under date
of June 18th, $780, that the treaty was rati-
fed with the understanding on the part of
Her Majesty's Government that 1t did not
apply to Her Mejesty's settlement at Hon
duras and its dependencies Mr.. Clayton
answered, under date of July All, 1850,
that he so understood it, but that he
must not be understood to either
affirm or deny the British title therein.
Each OF these declarations was made after
the conclusion of the treaty by the joint
action OF the President and Senate, and
that declaration was not made or eccepted
bv them The United States have never
given their assent to this conversion
of British settlement in Central America of
Spanish-American sovereignty into British
possession with British sovereignty. The
parties to the Clayton-Bulwer treaty sptici-
pated that a canal by the Nicaragua route
was to be at once begun. and it was under
this anticipation that the United States cor
sented TO waive exclusive and valuable
rights, which had been given to them.
that they consented to agree with
Great Britain that they occupy, fortify,
colOnize, or assume dominion over any part
OF Central America, and that they con-
sented to allow Her Maiesty's Government
at future day to share in the protection
which they exercised over the is'hmus OF
PaDoma. The government and people OF
the United States, though rich in land and
Industry, were p1or in money and floating
capital in 1850 The scheme for a canal. even
without the complication Of the Mos quito
protectorate, was too vast for the means of
the Americans of that day, who numbered
then considerably less than one-half OF
their numbers day They went to Eng-
land. which had what they had not surrtn-
dered their exclusive privileges,
offered an equal share OF ali
they had IN those regions, in order, as ex-
pressed in the 18th article of the treaty, that
no time should be unnecessarily lost in the
commencement and construction of said
canal. Through no faulC of theirs time WAS
unnecessarily lost. The work was never
begun and the concession failed.
The President does rot thiok that the
United States are called upon by any D in
ciple of equity TO revive those provisions of
the Clayton Bulwer treaty, which were
specially applicable to the concession up to
Angus, lSi9, and apply them to any osher
concession, which has been since or 10 be
hereafter made. The conditions of 1882 are
not those of 1859 The people OF the United
States have now an abundance of surplus
capital for such enterprises, and have no
need to call upon foreign capitalists.
SOUTHERN LAND GRANTS.
A report was also submitted respecting
lands which have been granted 10 railroads
In the Southern States la this report the
committee adopt the rule OF advising the
forfeiture OF such grants as have not been
In any way utilized, and in conclusion SAYS:
'Where, after long lapse Of time, no at
tempt has been made TO earn the grant. |
It has seemed as II it should be withdrawn.
While this rule seemed TO the committee
the only one which could be adopted, they
think it right TO add that the State of Mis- |
sissippi has passed resolutions asking sn ex- |
tension of the grant In aid OF the Gulf and |
Ship Island Railroad, and that Representa-
ttons have been made that parties |
were ready to build the road.
While no evidence has been presented. |
"h.Sh WNhAh Juctii Hbit CbtuuitiFb III tx
cepting the Gulf aud Ship Island Railroad |
from forfeiture, yet the committee under |
stsnd that the question OF extension or |
removal Is now pending before the |
Committee on Public Lands, to which The !
eyl99enee has s,,Ia been sHbmitted II sneh
the individual members OF the committee, |
while agreeing to this report, reserve the |
right TO act as the evidence may indie ate. |
The report is accompanied by bill, which |
declares forfeited lands granted to the fol- |
lowiog railroad companies: The |
Elytop and Beavers Buff, in Ala |
barha, the Memphis and Charleston, Savan- |
nah aud Albany, th9 New Orleans State |
line, snd the Iron Mountain Road in Arkan- |
sas The bill restores the forfeited lands TO |
the public domain subject to sale, disposl- |
tion and settlement under the existing laws. |
NORTHERN PACIFIC LAND GRANTS.
The report of the judiciary Committee of
the House upon the Northern Pacific Rail- |
road land grants, presented to day in the |
House, takes the ground that under the |
limits tatiops OF the granting act the sole
right, which remains in the United States at |
the present time, is the right by it's Congress |
to do any and all acts which may be needrul |
and n assary to insure the speedy compe- |
ton OF th2 road. After a careful
review OF the condition OF the road
and what it has accomplished
the committee have reached the conclusion
that # would not he advisable to give it.
land grants TO another company or to sell
them and apply the proceeds to the COM
pletion of the road; that the early com
pletion OF the road will be more readily |
accomplished by a policy of non-interfer- |
ence on the part Of the government, ard |
they therefore r. commend that no further |
legislation is necessary or advisable.
Mr.. SHELLEY TO BE BOUNCED.
The House Committee on Elections to-
day disposed Of the Alabama contested |
election case of Smith vs. Shelley by the
adoption of a resolution, which declares that |
Shelley. the sitting member, be not entitled |
to the seat, and recommends that In conse-
quence of the death Cf the contestant the
seat be declared vacant.
Mr.. Jones, OF Texas (Greenbacker), voted
with the Republicans on the adoption OF the
resolution.
THE TARIFF COMMISSION.
The Indications at present are that the
Tariff Commission will be com osed of the
gentlemen whose names follow: Messrs.
Wheeler, of New York; Hayes, OF Masss-
chuse's; Oliver, of Pennsylvania; Garland,
of Illinois; Amber, of Ohio; Phelps, of
Missouri; Understood, OF South CaroliIs;
Porter, of the District OF Columbia, and
Duncan s. Kenner, of Louisiana.