The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1883-12-20
w.HKIAKux WARNING TO THE WORK.
..The Land Belongs TO the People"
DEEP RIVE. Dec. 10. 1873.

DEEP RIVER. Dec. IL. 1888.
EDITOR AsIoEIAN:
Notwithstanding all the lessons of his
tory or the practical teachings of expert
ence, men will, unfortunately, forget the
one or ignore the other in their eagerness
to crafty some paltry pleasure, or in
dulge their apathy for the public veal.
The true American pulse has evidently
healthy throb in Astoria. The pro-
gramme of The Historian and of the
Astoria Chamber of Commerce COM
mends itself to the appreciation of every
man who has studied the land question,
and who has realized the nature of the
evils that flow from land monopoly. The
articles in THE AsIoRIAS and the memo
rial to congress of the chamber of com
merce will certainly tend to hasten
prompt action in this matter.
The land question is rising out of the
slough of forgetfulness. The fact that
the right of every man TO the use of land
is being abridged, and vast tracts given
TO railroad rings and spectators of every
form, shade and degree, through dishOn-
est administration of the laws, j. what
concerns the public. A few years ago,
hardly a man opened his mouth about
these swindling land grants, depriying
unborn generations of Americans of their
heritage or birthright IN the soil. The
newspapers resembled so many Delphine
oracies in more than one particular. Con-
gress bartered away for 50 much palm-oil
to a ring of railroad kings, who palm
oiled their hands, the imperial heritage
of the people without even making them
fulfil their contract.
These railroad grants Were apparently
vested rights that no man thought of dis
turbing. Though such grants were great
robberies, they lay slumbering IN secur-
ity, except when now and again reused
for a second by the vain cries of justice,
or by the firm stand OF such men as were
in favor of either forfeiture or building
the railroad. Well, all that is altered
now. If not In the heart, the land ques-
tion is at least in the mouth of all men
when they speak. Whoever writes on
public matters now, cannot ignore tie
land question.
Take Willard, Stanford. Crocker. Gould
d Co. How have they made their mill
ions? Were they not all poor men few
decades ago? The answer is plain: They
have swindled the public and have their
millions.
hDN llltSt DC
made 20 give back what they have robbed!
In the past, while the people lay su-
pine or only thought of modifying the
white wage slavery IN which they lived,
the combination of congress and cOrpor-
alton could afford to do anything they
pleased; not only TO swindle and rob the
people wholesale and retail; bat TO insult
them; spit upon them, III addition to pub
lie robbery. The enormous swlndles of
the public lands have been clearly dem
onstrated to the congressional commit
tee on public lands; yet, that committee
is as silent as death on these vital meas
ures. Imperial fortunes have been made
by imperial railroad rogues, who were
paupers comparatively speaking few
years ago.
The railroad rings generally withhold
until by the labor of the whole people of
the country they are increased In value.
The railroads have up to the present
time only disposed of some twenty mil
lions acres granted these corporations
within the last few years; and they have
realized for these twenty million acres
over one hundred million dollars. On
the two hundred millions In round num-
bers of United States interest-bearing
bonds given to them, they refused to pay
any interest. The government had to pay
and did pay such interest, amounting to
100000.
Is this right Does it not dig in under
every foundation of our institutions Is
it to 60 on long? Is it not cowardly for
free people to look on with shut lips
and folded arms while this is in full
blast? Can anything under the canopy
of heaven excuse men for looking ON at
the approaching doom of the republic
and the lasting doom of posterity Can
men, who are by natures ordinance
Americans, support the yoke which chains
them down? Are not these railroad
lands stolen from the Creator Himself
when they are stolen from his equal chill
drenI
What remedy is there at hand Will
petitions to congress bring the needed
cure? Ha ha ha answers laughingly
back the Golden Spike Brigade"
The n. p. railroad management as well
as Portland seems to be no lover of Asto-
ria. The fact is they are jealous of your
fair Venice" and your Astoria Venus
must be determined If she does not wish
to be once more Tilted or betrayed by her
selfish and seductive suitors, both of
Portland and n. p. II. r. manias.
Nc.