Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-06-04
DAILY .INTEluGENCER


There has been prepared in this city
and forwarded TO Chicago, under
especial charge of q representative Oh
the Posi- IsTKLLIoESCEH, document
which throws more light upon the SUD
iect of land forfeiture, Its relation "
and effect upon this Territory, than
could be- shed by the publication ana
distribution of volumes In snoinef
form. A copy of this document was on
Monday last placed in the hands OF
every delegate 70 the National hepuoh
ran Convention. Ii il map OF "asn-
ineton Territory, drawn from the Oh
ficjsl map published BY the Ohi'eo
States Interior Department IN Ioao' OF
xhich. IA 10 scale and lines OF with
draval of public lands in favor OF the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company, II
in AN exact copy. The lands within the
limits of withdrawal are fifty placed IN
black; the few remaining acres are 1871
nnclouded, No man who looks at TINS
man will fail to be astounded at ths
magnitude of the shadow cast oy TINS
claim of the Northern Pacific Rsilroaa
COMPANY upon this Territory. IL
reaehes from east TO west wholly across
it-from Idaho to the Pacific ocean
and covers fully two-thirds OF all the
landed area of the Territory. The
south line of the shadow ID the south
boundary of the Territory itself. lie
same ia true ef the east line, but q
small corner in the southeast being out
of gloom. The west line OF the SHADOW
in the Pacific ocean, along which north
ward it extends for about a hundrou
miles from the southern Ierritorla.
boundary. Every acre OF land IN
Washington Territory south OF Ia
coma, with insignificant exceptions, ID
in the shadow of this monstrous claim.
II covers this county as with black
nall. and on the eastern side Of the
Territory extends northward almost to
British Columbia. II crosses the whole
Territory in breadth varying from lU-
to l5N miles, and save the valleys and
islands Of the Lower Sound, covers 1T
best agricultural land. II il a hideou'
incubus. which is appropriately desIg
mated by inky black.
The city of Seattle has to some extent
taken the initiative in the movement IL
this Territory in favor Of forfeitinR the
unearned land grant TO the Northern
Pacific Railroad Company move
ment rapidly assuming National pro
portions-aud has sndeavored, 80 far al
possible, TO present the situation and
views Of her people and of large ma
jority Of the people OF this Territory
truthfully and intelliRently to the Ma
tional Congress at Washington. 1t was
proper that this county, which pays
about one-fifth the taxes of Washing.
ton Territory and holds one-tenth OF
her population, should take the lead
With the same motives and for the
same purpose this map has been pre-
pared for presentation to the National
Convention OF the dominant party AZ
senbled at Chicago. II has been pre-
pared and published by authority of the
Chamber of Commerce of this city, and
the truth of the statements printed
thereon is incontrovertible. On the
nargin Of the map is an address TO the
Republican Convention, which IL pub-
lished elsewhere. IL recites briefly and
pointedly the history of this grant, por
trays its relations to this Territory and
urges the Convention to place apor
record such an expression Of the policy
of the party upon tho forfeiture OF I'm
earned lands as IL is willing in good faith
to abide by and uphold. There is also
published a so-called Northern Pacific
deed" the iniquitv of which should
bring Q blush of indignation TO the
cheek OF every self.respecting citizen OF
this republic. Also summary Of the
areas of unearned land grants 10 rail
road corporations in the United States
the aggregate OF which is "a. 799, 90I
acres.
Copies of this map have also beer
forwarded to all the prominent paper,
of this Territory and Oregon, and 1t II
now In the possession Of a large mum
Der of the most influential and indie,
pendent journals in the great cities OF
the East. We do net know what the
Republican Convention at Chicago will
do about this forfeiture question. II
may choose to ignore il. IL u fail "a
place the party on record upon this sub
iect-vitai TO the homeless and landless
Of this republic-it cannot afterward
be said that this refusal to recognize
the existence OF demand for an ex.
preston of the party's policy, was b,
cause the matter was not clearly and
faithfully brought to It's attention. We
believe that Ii win be heard from be.
fore the Convention closes mp its worn
and separates for the campaign TO fol.
low, AZ has already been the case with
preceding National Conventions Of the
present year. One thing Is certain. agi
tation Of this living question will no,
be suspended. but the demand for for
fixture Of oil unearned lands granted
30 corporations viii be repeated and re
newed until success Ia finally achieved
Ii time is not the essence of the con
tract between the Northern Pacific Rail