Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1884-10-10
THAT ATTEMPTED LAMP STEAL.


In the office of the Secretary of the Terri
tory, on the 3D. day Of June, 1889, with
Hon. John HALEY as one Of the incorpo-
rators, also the bill introduced IN Con-
gress by Delegate Ainslie, on Jan. 80,
1889, efor the ostensible purpose" as the
Republican puts it, of retaining the arid
lands of Idaho, the real object Of which,
however, was to surrender thousands OF
square miles of our territory to an irres-
ponsible corporation, at the expense of the
farmers and settlers The Republican
comments as follows:
an the first place, this bill gives to the
corporation the control of at least 10000
square miles, "A portion being in Nevada
and Oregon, but the larger portion being
In Idaho Territory.
Second, 1t gives the corporation the
control ofeyery spring, creek, river and
intercourse which leads into. Snake riy-
ev, Boise river, and streams jutting into
Boise river and Snake river, at such points
On Boise river and Snake river as from
the topography OF the country may be
deemed most suitable for diverting the
waters Of said rivers and streams.
Third, IL grants 10 said corporation ev
cry even alternate section of land not here
tofore granted and sold, not even except
ing from the graft lands settled upon and
occupied By actual $. tiers under the pre-
cmption, homestead, timber culture and
desert land laws, unless the settlers shall
have, before the passage of the law, made
final proof under The laws of Congress, and
OF the lands not thus granted the bill gives
the corporation virtual control, as 1t would
be entitled to the control of the water used
TO irrigate the land, which, as every farm
er wellyknows, would place the land en-
tirely within its power.
This bill, at one fell swoop, takes all the
land occupied by every settler under either
the presumption, homestead, timber cul-
ture or desert land laws, regardless of
the improvements that may have been
made on the land. The Ubiquitous Irish
this. II never before entered into the
heart OF man 70 conceive u law so full OF
iniquity as this one
stripped of all legal phrases and
brought down to the naked reality, this
bin in the interest Of Mr.. HALEY would
drive nine-ten,hs of all his constituency
from the Territory Even those who have
made final proofs on their lands, and who
might at first sight be deemed fortunate,
will be placed in as hard position as
their neighbors. Taking away the lands
from those who have settled under pre-
emption, homestead, timber culture, and
desert land laws, and who had not yet
made final proofs, would throw all The
burdens OF taxation on those who own the
property, and thoy would then be taxed
cut of the Territory.
From the time of the passage Of this bill
il is safe to say that no new settlers would
Come into the Territory, and all the change
In the population would be the elected set
tiers moving out To find homes in other
States and Territories where less iniqui-
tous laws prevail. Tue ranches now oc-
cupied with bold and hardy settlers will
he deserted. The pleasant homes OF brave
mel, vlrtuous women and happy children
would all be abandoned under the force of
u law framed for Mr.. Hailey's benefit For
ten years, or until 1892, the pail OF death
would have settled on the beautiful valleys
OF Idaho, AS under the bill the corpor,
ton has that time to decide how much of
the land OF the Territory it may want to
take.
Until that time they could build their
small irrigating bitches in patches, or con.
xecutively in gulches and in easy places
along the Boise, Payette, Snake and Wood
rivers, and AS soon as they should have
made bitches which in the aggregate
would be sufficient TO irrigate land equal
IN extent to one township, they would be
entitled TO patent for township of land
During all this time The land not thus pat.
ented would remain with the title in the
Government and exempt from taxation.
What would b merchants, mechanics
and business men do in the meantime, un-
less they too take up theil line of march
with the settlers leaving the Territory