New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-01
RAILROAD LAND GRANTS.
BILLS OF ToRFETURE PASS THE HOUSE.
LITTLE OR no oPPosITIoN--oTHER LIKE BILLS IN
PREPARATION.
iBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUSr.l


PREPARATION.
iBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUyE.l
WASHINGTON Jan. 31.-The House to-day
showed that its purposes IN regard to land grant Tor
FIXTURES earnest and that most OF the grants made
upon conditions which have not been fulfilled by the
grantees will be declared forfeited without much discus
sion opposition. The first bill passed to-day affects
three grants to the State of Mississippi to aid in the con-
struotion of the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad,
the Mobile and New-orleans Railroad, and q third
railroad which advanced far enough 10
have name; two grants TO Alabama, one OF
which the State refused to accept than twenty-five
years ago. grant TO Arkansas for railroad, the line
for which has never been srveyed one grant to Lol
ana which that state declined ia 1857 The amount OF
land covered by these grants comparatively small and
the only opposition to the bill came from Messrs Van
Eaton and Barksda who tried TO have the Gulf ana snip
Island grant excepted from its provisions. That grant
about 65300 ard the land Is said 10 DO
extremely valuable account of the pine timber upon w.
Chairman Cobb made long speech in favor OF the DILL
Mr.. Hatch, OF Michigan, anew member offered some CD
servaons in regard TO the second section which seemed
entitled TO consideration than they received THIS
section provides that In all cases where any OF
tho lands affected by the bill have been treatcu
by the land officers open to purchase or precmpuoh
homestead entry and such purchases and enees have
been made they shall be regarded as valid Mr. Hatch
thought there might be something more in this provision
than appeared on its face. He would be glad to know
whether any OF these lands OF which are extremely
valuable have been snapped UP by spectators recenuy
in view Of the probable action of Congress. No mem
Der of the Public Lands Committee appeared to be able 10
give estimate Of the probable quantity or proportion
OF the lands which has covered by advance pnr
chlses and entries and which the bill yadates Inc Dill
Was passed without division. $50
Mr. Payson then called for the reading OF the Dln 70
forfeit the Texas Pacific grant which covers l4oOJoO
acres AS so0n as il had been read, Mr. Payson asked
that the report OF the commit prepared by himself, nc
read but the noun was late and the House was ia no
mood to hear TIE reading or nsten 10
debate Mr. PaysOn demanded the previous
question after obtaining permission TO have the report
printed his speech for the bill. The bill would nave
had Mr. PaysOn demanded the and NAYS the re-
cordng OF which occupied half hour. Nearly every
member present was recorded in the affirmative.
The public Lands Committee Is busy In the preparation
Of forfeiture bills IL to-day instructed Chairman
Cobb to report to the House bill FORGETTING the entire
grant made to the Oregon Central Railroad Company,
although forty-tve miles OF that road have
been built. The grant was made In 1870
that the entire road should be completed by March -
1876 At its meeting to-day the committee also discussed
the forfeiture OF the grants the California and Oregon,
and Oregon and California Railroad Companies. Although
decision reached Mr.. Payson said TINS evening
the Drift the discussion clearly Indicated that the cOm
nitee viii report ia favor fOrfeltng boh these grants
excepting the lands which patents have already been
issued. The California aud Oregon granting acts
ton OF the entire road ny July 1, 1880
The grant amounted to 2I26526 acres, of which 1887
0I9 had been patented to the company according
q report made by The Secretary OF the Interior 20 Con
Oregon and California Railroad Company required com,
pletion OF the entire road by July 1, 1880 The total
amount OF land granted 3701 760 acres OF when
322 062 had been patented down to March, 1857