Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-04-09

A Farther Demand for Lsnd Grant
Forfeiture aud for the Regulation
or Railroad Traffic
| At a meeting of the Farmers As
sociatiou of Whitman county. held at
Colfax on the 29th OF March, after a
number of speeches and due considera-
ton. the preamble and resolutions fol-
lowing we're adopted without dissent:
WHEREAS. 1t is represented through
the press that the railroad company,
through their paid officials now in
Washington. are representing to mem
.ers of Congress that they have not
broken faith with the people of this
Territory, but are doing all ia their
power to develop the industries of this
country and in the interest of the set
tiers. Therefore be it
Resoiped, BY the people of Whitman
county, that such represe ntations are
without the least shadow of foundatio =,
but, on the contrary, the course they
have adopted and are pursuing is one
that is detrimental to every interest of
the country. and inflicti2g hardsnips
unknown in the history of our country
and justly causing the people all over
the Territory to organizs for the better
protection of their rights against this
graspi4g monopoly which has laid claim
to large tract of couatry without
showing where they had lost any land.
or without resp citing tho claims OF
settlers made prior to their selections.
or without any title whatever derived
from government. Offering these lands
60 ln h., <,T
those who are justly entitled to them.
and Offering simply contracts, which, In
thems selves. are but system of rob-
berry. bi i.dlng the purchaser to make
annual Improvement. and after paving
a certain amount down, the balance to
be paid at stipulated times. and If any
portion remain unpaid at the specified
time they reserve to themselves the right
to enter aud take possession without
any legal action whatever, thus barring
the settler from that right which every
citizen Is entitled to. They also reserve
the right to enter and take possession
of strip 400 feet in width whenever
they may want it for railroad PURPOSES,
binding the purchaser and his heirs for
ever to build and maintain a good and
substantial fence on each side of said
strip: also reserving the right of springs
wherever they may bs foaud, If neces-
sary, for railroad purposes also all
mineral and coal that may be found
thereon. thus leaving the purchaser at
all times i'll their power. After receiv-
ing vast and munificent donations from
the general government in land grants,
in order to build competitive line.
that the people might be protected
from extortionate freights, they have
Disseminated in favor of Portland.
thus compelling the people of this Ter
| ritory to pay freight to Portland and
| back again, and under the contract sys-
tenn leave them beautiful margin be-
sides. thus crippling every industry and
robbing the people of the interior, who
are Iaboriously struggling to build
homes for themselves and families. of
all their hard earnings, leaving them but
| q little better than slaves. toilinR from
early morn till late at eve that these
grasping monopoiies may live In palaces
| and roll in wealth and grandeur, while
the people live in poverty and eroan un-
der the burden. Be il further
Rssoired, That We deeply deplore the
| fact that We are under the despOtlC
power of a soulless corporation, and our
/ only hope of protection Is from the
halls of legislation, and that We do
earnestly entreat Congress to regulate
the intsr-S State traffic SO As to protect
the people from such gigantic robbery.
| and also to take such action ia regard
to the land grant as will give to the set
tiers their justly earned titles, and the
balance to be held and sold only at gov
ernment price, aud We earnestly beseech
Congress to make suoh approprl ations
and in such manner as will speedily
open the Columbia river, which Is the
great highway of transportation: that
the land grants which th railroad 90 n
psny are now seeking to hold be de-
clared forfeited and the titles to limo
cent purch sers be confirmed by gov
ernment, the rest sold ut governmen.
| price aud the money expended IN
speedily completing the opening Of the
Columbia river. which alone is IN the
interest of the people.
ReSoIred, That these resolutions be
printed and Immediately sent to both
Houses of Cons ress and to the Presi-
dent Of the United States and Secretary
| of the Interior.