The Evening critic., 1882-06-23
THE LAND LOBBY
TO BE sATuPoN BY THE COMMITTEE

Defcat of the viIInrd-schurz Conn
bination - A Learned Member
Quotes the Law and Explains
why the Northern Pacific Has
Forfeited Certain Lands Granted
n-Justicc ana Equity Demand
the Forfeiture of These Lands.
A CRITIC reporter to-day talked to n member
Of the House on the report that is TO be made
by tho Judiciary Committee on the Northern
Pacific ciand.forfeiture-thc report that declares
aIforfciture, and which VIII be indorsed by nine
of the committee, making 1t the majority
report. The Member who gave his opinion Is
, an able lawyer, and has given this land.for
feiture question profound study.
The Forfeiture Already Made.
s'Did the Government retain the right to
declare forfeiture of tho grants % asked THE
CRITIC.
ait did," answered the Member; sand the
time expired In 1874. Congress thon extended
the time In which the Northern Pacific was to
be completed to 1877. Mr. schurz, at the
expiration of that time, granted another ex-
tension to July 4, 1870. sulf~the road Is not
completed by geo miles. In point OF law the
Northern Pacific has already forfeited all the
lands the Government has granted It; and In
strict point of law 1t has not earned foot of
the land"
IL is Just to Declare the Forfeiture.
ais 1t expedient and Just to declare a for
feiture of these lands now, at this late day ~
"Most assuredly. The Northern Pacific has
fallen far short, in point of justice, In earning
the grant. The Government has been wonder
fully liberal, and the company has been Mig
carly In return. There is no use throwing
away these valuable lands on wealthy cor
porations when there are thousands and thou
sands OF poor, honest people who are longing
for them. 1t is unjust to do so, and under the
circumstances cannot see how any lust man
who understands the law on the subject can
sunuOrt the rpDOrt made Dy Mr. Reed
Effect of the Forfeiture.
"The forfeiture would have disastrous ef-
| feet on the stock market, would 1t not?"
| "Oh, yes; and some Members, 1 am told,
| have the efrrontery to say that the forfeiture
| should not be declared, because 1t will crush
| the market This simply shows that there
are corrupting influences aflont somewhere,
| and no honest man will support the stock
| market and favor the wealthy, to a loss to the
poor man. The effect 1t will have on stocks
| should not be considered. We are dealing
| with justice and law now. II course, there are
| many, very many, millions at stake, and 1t
looks suspicious to sec men supporting meas.
| ures involving so great q stake, when law and
| Justice are against them. Remember, do
not say that Mr.. Reed is not honest. do not
| question his good purposes. But say he Is
| ignorant of the law and puts
Peculiar Construction
on justice when he reports In favor of tho
Northern Pacific. Really, believe he will
| support the report to be made by Mr. Towns.
hend, for that is the fair and Just one."
"where IS the law under which the grants
were nader
| "In the land laws enacted by the Forty
sixth Congress. 1t is plain and unmistakable
| but covers great deal OF ground. can't see
| how any lawyer can make 1t read or can con
strue Its meaning, TO the reten..''i of the lands
by the Northern Pacific"
The gentleman who thus spoke is not pre1u
diced against railroad corporations. He be
lieves the forfeiture should be declared In the
name of justice and that the law may be re
speeted, and he believes that no Member cal
sustain his action IN voting for the bill to Civ
| to Northarp Pacific tho millions Of
lands which belong to the Government an'
| which the common people are clamoring for