Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-03-23
IT PLEADS NOT GUILTY.

The WaIlh Walta mon SAYS Vi tnc
Posi-. INTELLIGENCE II that 1t "is an able,
respectable and influential paper" and
feels aggrieved at certain structures re-
Gently made upon itself relative to It's
attitude on the Northern Pacific land
grant. A journal liable, respectable
and influential" presumably became no
because of broad and liberal views ana
candid discussio ns, from motives OF pub
lie policy and for the general good. OF
questions affecting the people. II IS but
fair To assume that narrow, self inter
tsted motives do not warp tho Judgment
nor control the utterances Of such pa
Der a. the Union describes. From
standpoint elevated above local rival
RES, it is enabled to consider dispas-
sionately matters intimately associated
with the prosperity aud progress, NO,
merely OF municipalities, but of tie
commonwealth and nation.
When, therefore, 80 liable. respecta
bile and influential journal ~ the
Union, stated, in the face Of our Prev
Gus disclaimers. that the motive impell-
ing this Journal to advocate forfeiture
Of the Northern Pacific land grant lis
TO be found in the fact that
the Matches and not the STAN
pede Pass has been selected 1t
did both itself and us a gross in
Justice. 1t injured itself because. IN at
tributing to us motive so narrow.
mean and pitiful. IT placed itself IL lire
with we'll known servitors of that cor
poration by adopting their only method
Of argument. Il did US injustice by
giving endorsement to the slanderous
attacks of Journals whose bondage 10
the Northern Pacific il of public noto-
riety. One who adopts the habits Of
and seeks fellowship with vice can hard
" fail to We thought vicious. Ii was
therefore not surprising that the Posi-
INTELLIaENcER came to the conclusion
that the Union had put on the livery of
monopoly and essayed To ont Herod
Herod in its zeal
The Union is mistaken in the idea
that the demand for forfeiture Of the
grant TO the Northern Pacific is dem
agogue ory," that the people are
being misled by designing demagogues.
Such language gives color tn the theory
that We previously advanced-that is
had put on a corporation collar. II is
the invariable practice of corpora
ton organs to stigaatize all those who
oppose the schemes of public plumber
concocted by their masters AS " dems-
gogaes." The Union should look around
mere carefully and feel the public pulse.
Az the facts connected with the sinuous
crawl Of this gigantic snail across the
continent have been made known. that
pulse has quickened, public tempera.
tire has sensihly increased and there il
visible fever. The proper time" for
the Union IL give its reasons why this
Territory should contribute 100000
acres Of its lands. for services not per
formed, to secure the building of n rail
road or railroads, which would be soon
or constructed were the grant cancelled,
il nor. The proper time to discuss
questions ia when they are at issue, no,
after they have been decided. Our con-
temporary declares it, belief "tha, to
take from the company the lands earned |
since 1879. would entail great loss upon |
thousands of people who have bought
odd sections in railroad limits since |
that time" Ii should read the Law. |
The company has earned" no lands |
since July 4, 1879. and the bill reported |
for passage by the Committee on Public |
Lands protects all purchasers of such |
odd sections.
We are glad 10 read that the editorial |
columns of the Unio. are not in the /
employ of the Northern Pacific railroad
Company. and regret that its Treatment,
of this forfeiture question rendered a
necessary.