Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-03-04
eae xWgruEKN PACIFIC LAND
GIANT.


-;..ss oroyidinQ for the forfeiture Of
~ No,thern Pacific land grant will
.naoubtedly be adopted BY the House,
shrroh II ma, be modified somewhat IN
ss,cy of the railroad COMPANY before 1t
r.slIv paeses through Congress. This
.sscIntion provides for the cancellation
- "a entire grant between the Mis-
ssaI river and WalIula junction.
TNe,s II NO mistakiug the temper of
1oecres. The New York Tribune did
~ think the Committee on Public
IAnda was in earnest, but 1t Is; and,
.SiIe their action is very severe against
IN rnilroad, the railroad has itself TO
blame for il. These lands were DO
pstsd 10 the COMPANY, not 70 MAKE its
nanaeers, the lucky holders OF ite
fYapchise, millisnaifes, but 70 extend
fseilities Of intercourse and transporsa-
tiou through an undevoloped region.
n other words, they were granted for
he benefit Of the country, to enable
ssttlers to occupy and improve and en-
joy the lands traversed by the railroad.
Ths act was made verv liberal in It's
terms, and il good policy bad been
puYsued in the construction OF the road,
4 might have besn completed within
the time specified in the granting act.
ssd for many millions of dollars less
than IL has cost.
While the forfeiture Of the grant was
threatened, prior TO the completion OF
The road, tho directors passed . rosolu-
ton 10 be used AZ an argument with
Congress, showing that they purposed
using their lands according to the In
tsntion Of the Government; that the
company would sell the land west 0f the
Missouri ri er-that portion OF the
grant that was in peril of forfeiture
for $2CO an acre TO actual settlers.
This resolution was distributed far and
vide IN the form of a circular, and In
sorted AZ An advertisement IN the news
papsrs Of the country, and ON the faith
of it, settlers occupied the land. Bot
the company, for some reason, satisfac-
tory TO itself. went back on its promise,
and by refusing to sell at that price,
subjected many people to great hard
ships. Ii advanced the price OF lands
10 point that presented small induce-
ments TO emigration west Of the Mis-
s0uri, and has thus retarded the devel'
opment Of the country. In addition To
this advance upon the price Of lands.
the company has affixed conditions to
their sale, in the reservation Of mineral
and coal that NAV be discovered on the
lands, and rights Of way through them,
compelling the purchasers 10 fence
against any railroads that may be built,
thus imposing conditions that are griev-
Ous TO be borne, and calculated to delay
the settlement OF the country. some Of
ihs most conservative and influential
newspapers In Washington Territory.
such ~ the Seattle PosT- sT-lNTELLI0ENCER
and tho Walla Walla WatchmdD, have
peuGssted against this policy AZ unjust
b i>self and adverse to the interest both
II the railroad company and the cO0n-
Try. Huoh policy needs no character
iAtiOn iu words. The mere statement
& h b its condemnation.
Tho refusal Of Mr.. Harris, the new
President Of the company. to answer
oo1infactorily the questions put to him
b. The committee, whether the cOmpa
~ had entered into an arrangement
With The Central Pacific which denied
~ pouple Of this coast the benefits OF
spnpstision in rates OF freight and
iase, vas another reason why Congress
sAous N little favor 10 the road. The
words Of she sacred scriptures are en-
WsSsy apptlohOto, tuuuku Wo w uos
know that il occurred ii the COMMITTEES
v apply them 70 this oxae, "rhsy shall
have Judgment without mercy that
1hoved no mercy" Il does not meet
" point to say that the people are no
voeue of than they werO before. They
bad ariRlt to be better Oh. That Is
What this road was for. In the light Of
thsse facts the representatives Of the
psople could not be expected, il they
vefs h0nest and truly representative, 70
asetoh any points in favor Of the road
I'd against the people. But. 40 Con-
poo refused 10 take action in regard to
- grant. and the company Was per-
nieesd to 90 on With the construction
q the rOad under the implied promise,
posted by executive action Ia ap-
eoement Ut commissioners TO Inspect
- road a. fast ~ constructed. that the
nnoe my be patented ~ far ~ the
soad shall be built, the company still
- equities as to these lands that
noald b considered, though the max
!Aat he Who seeks equity should do
sleaay ouRht TO be enforced against u.