Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-05-18

7 sppoic.ed S.rnei B->cksarsdss. OF 81.
Lon aud H-s c. Sesris Ha~i.y, Of
au.sura. 81 csns.scs the neg Nod-rafoP
IS sis- chair Moderator johnson ad.
/ dressed DR.. Hattie &. uelc,min4 him TO
tue ehsir and ailnding 20 his long ser
! vice. over f.rty wears, - stated hy sas
clerk DE-. Hatfield resp .Iaded with APP
pre.sria;s remarks The motion of Rev
Howard Crosby Was adopted that all
honorary titles DC omitted IN addesssa-
members OF the general assembly. 4
resolution relative to the reception OF
delegates to the Southern general as
serubiy was referred To n special CON-
mittee. comprising Drs. Crosby. Her
rick johnson, and Jud2s RreckSE-
ride, and 10 b. heard the ii-s. business
Friday afternoon. The secSaa business
was amendments to the book of dis.
eipsins- At tie evening service cp1a-
ui1nlon was eeisbrste3, Rev Dr.. Her
rick johnson presiding. Eisneat was
served b. Samuel j. Hamilton. Of Nex
York, and Harvey, OF s. Lcais-
More About Those \. r. Lands.
WASHINGTON, May I7.-The Secretary
Of the Interior delivered an opinion
upon the question submitted by the
General Land O.tice regarding the pro-
settlement the odd sections OF land
within tbs indemnity limits Of the
Northern Pacific Railroad. The Com
missioner was of the opinion that the
recent decisions BY the Secretary had
teaded TO reverse the usual practices of
the land Office in sueh ctses, namely. 20
withdraw iards comprised within
granted and indemnity limits upon
filing map OF definite location.
iu his decision the Sserstlry denies
this construction is to be placed u,pn
former decisions. and holds the mater |
as open for consideration of the Depart
ment. After quoting the granting act |
of 1854 and 2o10. TIE Secretary calls at !
ten.ion 70 tie fact that they do no. pro |
vide either specifically or generally for !
the executive Withdraw. of land within /
either granted or indemnity limits.
The power OF the Department to /
withdraw granted lands without !
such direction is beyond question 1
says the Secretary. Authority TO with /
draw indemnity lands must follow. and !,
in fact such authority has repeatedly !.
been exercised. The eomplny claims
that the Acts operate rs absolute to the |
exclusion of right of entry in both
granted and indemnity limi from the
moment of fixing tbs route of definite
location. This is undoubtedly true
Of granted lands, bat to inden-
nifty lands the law gives no title.
but right to acquire title by selec-
tlon based OF deficiency in the grant
ed lanas. The aets set the whole sub
ject 1udef direction OF the Secretary OF
the Interior, and it must be held tia.
the power resides in the department 10
adiGdgc when, in what manner and to
what extent the statute exercises such
control and direction SO as 10 give to
the public as we'll as 10 particularly
guarantee all rights and privileges
granted by law.
The Secretary says; Il cannot shut
my eyes to the fact that vast areas of
lands public. ba. for right selection.
lying within the indemnity limits, are
barred TO settlement. and that the area
of arabic lands open to settlement is
not great when compared with the in
creasiGs demand. and is rapidly dimin-
ishing. II the company neglects to
make its selections and take advantage
of the withdrawal heretofore made or
may bs made hereafter to withhold
lands within the indemnity limit from
operation o. tIemeat laws, not actual
ly needed 10 make gond the losses they
have sustained. il will he the duty of
the Department to revoke such order of
Withdrawal. In reply TO your sugges-
ton whether the withdrawal in indem-
nifty limits of this grant are to stand SO
fer as made. have to say that am of
the opinion that such withdrawal should
at least for the present be maintained.
am further of the opinion that upon
the filing of maps of approved definite
location Withdrawals Of lands within
the indemnity limits shonld be made by
You to the extent of the first indemnity
limits. Such election will DO in accord
ance with the practice heretofore pur-
withdrawal,
An Honest Railroad Company.
PHILADELPHIA, May 1.-THE officers
OF the North Pennsylvania Railroad
Company have just informed the city
authorities that the municipality OWNS
30S7 shares of that stock, worth $685.
372. The authorities had no knowledge
of the fact until informed by the COM
pany.
Baat snnk-Men Drowned.
BALTIMORE, Nd, May 1.-THE tug
boat Wilson, hence for Rappahannook
river. has sunk. The crew of six men,
and Bri.ton, the owner, are supposed to
be drowned.
Further Particulars.
BALTIMORE, May 1.-THE crew of the
lost steame: WAS was rescued from the |
rigging. except Engineer Walker, who
endeavored to reach the shore in leaky
boat, and has not bsen found.