Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-08-07
OaIl, POST. lNIELllGENCER.
v.y.g DOES TIE L.ren CONE M


.on tina, We urged. and the people OF
,bis CITY are engaged in a laudaoie
a.tsnp. 70 look out for their can
interests by making loan in aid oil
completing railroad to Green River.
We sincerely think that the L>dg'' 10
mistaken. 1t il true that the efforts Oh
the press and people of this city 70
check the greed Of the Northern Faeihc
Railroad Company we're at first received
with smiles of derision. We we're
seornfully told that nothing could De
accomplished by opposing the at'emps'
NJ a powerful corporation to acquire
lands not legally earned. We were a.
sured that Congress would not heed our
circumstances, that the Executive De
partment would disregard our petitions
and 20 right along accepting completed
seetions OF railroad just as though IL
had been constructed in compliance
with Law.
When our citizens in mass meeting
decided to send 10 Washington An afsor-
new 10 represent the peoples side OF the
matter. their action Was received with
howls OF derision by every stipendiary
of the Northern Pacific in tAe Territory
We were told that it was an insult 10
Congress TO send man t1ere ID the
interest of the people that only rail-
road corporations were entitled to se
heard before Congressional Committees
and finally we're jeerinRly told that we
had not given our attorney money
enough TO accomplish his purpose,
AGAINST the combination Of brains and
sack provided by the Northern Pacific
for use at the National Capital.
Oar delegate went on TO Washington
and presented for this city and the peo-
ole of the Territory their complaint
AGAINST the company and prayer for re-
lief. The Committee on Public LANDS
considered the matter, and despite the
brains and sack before alluded to, re-
ported by large majority In favor OF
forfeiture. The smiles of derision dis
appeared, and more serious frame OF
mind prevailed among the managers OF
that theretofore conf dent and arrogant
monopoly. Quick action was decided
on. The President was importuned to
appoint commissioners to inspect GER
tain sections of the Northern Pacific
Railroad alleged to have been recently
completed. He yielded, and the COM
missioners came over to this coast and
officially inspected certain sections Of
railroad alleged TO be part of the Cas-
oade branch. In this inspection was
included a portion Of local coal road
from Tacoma TO Wilkeson, a railroad
built and used solely for local purposes.
Again the Seattle press and people pro-
tested. Our unofficial representative at
Washington was promptly advised of
the situation: remonstrances were sent
TO Congress and the Executive Depart
meat, and action upon the report of the
commissioners was suspended.
Again was the endeavor of the North
ern Pacific Company TO take snap
judgment foiled. Its efforts were then
directed to delaying the passage of the
forfeiture bill, then and now pending
before the House Of Representatives.
It's managers fondly imagined that IL
action could be delayed until Congress
adjourned. during the recess the Execu-
tive Department could be induced to
act, and the lately inspected sections
(including the coal road be- accepted.
They were successful In postponing
action by the House, which after pass
ing eleven forfeiture bills, adjourned
without action upon that relating to the
Northern Pacific grant. immediately
following the adjournment Of Congress
q report was industriously circulated
that forfeiture efforts having failed,
work upon the Cascade division would
be at once eneraesioally prosecuted.
President Harris started on tour of
inspection over the road. He stated
here and elsewhere that the recently in
spected sections OF the road would be at
once accepted by the President, and
that the company would then go on,
mortgage the lands claimed to be earn
cd thereby, and thus procure money TO
build an extension Of its local road to
the Green River coal fields.
He Was little "too previous" No
sooner was this announcement made
than the telegraph was utilized with the
result which we publish today, towit:
an assurance fron the Executive De-
partment that ne action looking to the
acceptance of the said recently inspect
81 sections Of railroad would be taken
pending the disposal of bills for for
fixture Of the unearned land grant to
she Northern Pacific now before Con-
gress. This blocks the game. Where
d ,es the mirth come iai IL occurs 10
rs that the people, not the Northern Pa
cifc, have cause to smile; that If there
10 any stock for ridicule it has been
furnished by the aboEtive attempts Of
that company TO enchaia the people of
this section aud the whole Territory.
Again. The Ledger ridicules the pro-
ject Of aiding the completion of the
railroad from this city to the Green
River coal fields. II says that anti
subaidists should not substitute. With
all proper journalistic respect the Ledger
is informed that this lie q matter en-
tirely foreign TO its jurisdiction; that, in
short, II is none of its business. Seattle
does not ask any public aid. Territorial.
county. or municipal. We do not pro.
pose 10 aid this local road by gift or
loan Of pablic property, either in money
or lands. Neither are the taxpayers of
this city to be compelled 20 loan the
public money or public credit for such a
purpose. The proposition 10 aid tue
completion Of the Cedar River rail-
road is purely individual and pri
watts. II Ia essentially A Seattle enter.