New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-08
LAND LEGISLATION.
MIR. HoLMAYs PROPOSED BILL.
HIS SCHEME ron RECOVERING LAND FROM RAIL
RoAps-MR MADoo's BILL.

HIS SCHEME FOR RECOVERING LAND FROM RAIL
RoADs-MR. M'ADoos BILL.
fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIsUsE.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.-Probably at least
dozen bills affecting railroad Immigrants VIII be brought
into the House next Monday under the call OF States one
of the most comprehensive and sweeping nature wiz Do
offered by Mr. Holman OF Indiana, who, during tne IsV
few weeks has devoted special attention 10 the SUBJECT
He said to-day that had obtained
he thought to enable him TO bring In general Dill WHICH
will cover all the details necessary to provide for the TOT
failure of all land grants which have not been earned py
the respective eompanies The Of the word
Mr.. Holman regards as extremely opJecuon
able As used by him, 1t means only inc
amount Of land represented by the mileage constructor
prior to the expiration of the grant according to the stat
ute Mr. Holmans idea ia that Congress has the right
and the power to reclaim lands granted whether pat
ented to railroad companies, certified to States,
or claimed by States or CORPORATIONS,
which were not learned" by construction
under the terms of the respective granting acts prior to
the expiration thereof
Mr. Holman estimates the amount Of land TO be recov-
cred by his bin from 90 to eresOne
provision Of the bill declares the forfeiture of all that por
ton of the Northern Pacific Railroad grant not earned by
construction prior July 1880 estimated at
acres The bill also applies TO several grants In Michigan
and Wisconsin, including the old Bayfield, and ST. Cron
grant in the latter State Respecting this grant Mr. Ho
man SAID: is pccuildE OtSc' <ANO"'
after the grant had expired, the Senate passed bill 10
revive It, There long struggle over 1t In the House.
which resulted sending it back TO the Senate with
an amendment declaring the grant forfeited and opening
the lands TO entry under the Homestead act Neither
nor any other man In the House who advocated that
amendment thou yht or believed for one moment that
declaration Of forfeiture necessary TO re-
invest the United States with the title, but
the expression was used in order to make
the case stronger for the homestead settler Two
wears afterward came the Supreme Court decision de-
carnc affirmative action by Congress necessary 10 divest
the state or corporation OF the title. have Information
10 the effect that preparations now making to cery
10 the state of Wisconsin the lands included within the
old BAYFIELD, and ST. CrOx grant, another company nav
ing quilt railroad on the projected line" ,
Among the other grants covered by Mr. Holmans Dill
are those to the New orleans and Pacific, the Texas
Pacific and the St Louis and San Francisco companies.
Representative McAdoo OF New-Jersey, proposes 10
bring In bin which, II IL becomes law will prevent
foreign corporations individuals from acquiring title
from the Government 10 large tracts OF the public DO
main in the new States and Territories for speculative
purposes Mr. McAdOo proposes that hereafter foreign
ers who desire to enjoy the benefits OF the public lana
laws of the United shall be permitted TO do only
on condition that they become actual settlers.