The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-05-31
CAPITAL TOPICS.
LAND GRANT FORFEITURKs,

1aAt0
The bill relating to the forfeiture Of
the Northern Pacific lands, provides for
immediate restoration to the public do
main and to the operation Of the public
land laws that portion of the grant lying
contiguous with its main line between Wal
lula Junction and Portland, a distance OF
214 miles. 1t also provides for the forfeit
ure at the end Of five years from the passage
of the bill of all lands adjacent to that por-
tion of the Cascade grant which shall then
be unbuilt, in effect giving the road five
years to build the Cascade branch. The
bill proposes to authorize persons in pos
session of any Of these lands to purchase
800 acres. If so much has been improved by
them. The railroad company is required
bill, so as to avoid all question as to title Of
forfeited lands.
LAND GRANTS.
Representative Lewis has been in
structed by the house committee on public
lands to report favorably the joint resolu-
ton prohibiting the secretary of the interior
from taking steps to confirm, certify OF
patent any land grants in cases where re-
ports favoring forfeiture of such land grants
have been made in either branch of congress,
until after final action shall be taken on such
bills, or the supreme court Of the United
States decide on the validity Of such grant.
The secretary is prohibited from certifying
or patenting any land grant except where
all conditions are strictly complied with
In doubtful cases the benefit of the doubt
shall be given to the government.
POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
The report of the committee on the
subject of postal telegraph has been COM
pleted. 1t gives a summary Of the history
of the increase, debts, rentals n capital
stock of the Western Union company, and
the value of United States property, leased
and otherwise, and tells what it would re-
quire to reproduce lines in every respect
equal to those of the Western Union. Three
hundred and fifty thousand miles of wire
would cost, including poles. construction
and instruments, 1924, 500, 900. The report
asserts that passage of the postal telegraph
bill will reduce the average charge per tel
gram from 80 to 2) cents Immediately, and
to 20 cents in five years, and secure a uni
formity Of charges, irrespective OF the
amount of business in the different places,
for kilograms to newspapers and to COM
mercial news associations.
ON TIC OKLAHOMA.
The following telegram, dated Fort
Reno, from Major Dewes, concerning per-
sons trying to force their way into the
Oklahoma lands, has been transmitted by
the acting secretary Of war to the secretary
of the Interior: ga courier has just ar
rived from Lieut.. Day, who is on the Cim-
maron, and reports that the intruders made
serious resistance. Day has arrested thir-
ty.five and many more are coming. They
may overpower him by numbers. l will
send Captain Carroll, with all available
cavalry, this afternoon. 1 have asked the
commanding officer at Fort Sill for two
troops OF cavalry
The Post prints interviews with
democratic members of the
house of representatives in support Of the
demand that a clear and explicit statement
of principles absolutely committing the
party to the issue of revenue
reform in the presidential nva shall be.
by the Chicago convention of July.
Among those interviewed are Carlisle, Nor
rison, Hewitt, Rosecrans, Hurd, Slocum,
Cox IN. ", Holman, Buckner and Black
The latter says they look to the con-
for a vindication of the contest
made at this session for tariff reform.