Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1884-02-14
AN INJUSTICE TO SETTLERS
ABOUT LIEU LANDS.


AN INJusTIcn TO SETTLERS
ABOUT LIEU LANDS.
The Northern Pacific land grant, 80
miles in width, in the Territories, and 40
miles in width in the States, was granted
from which the company was toh have every
odd section, aud the Government was to
retain ever. even section and to augment
its value in case of sale to settlers from
Sl.25 to $3.50 per acre, 40 that the rail
road alternate sections should no. be put
to forced sale at q price ~ small that
the proceeds would not fully compensate
the company for building the road, and
at the same time that the Government
should realize as much for the even sec.
tons as they would have obtained for
both odd and even sections in case Of no
railroad grant. But in this arrangement
the settler is compelled to pay double the
price for the privilege OF settling within
the limits of the grant, where he expected
to secure the benefits Of railroad transpor-
tation which would compensate him in
turn for the extra price he paid. At the
time Of the Withdrawal of this grant from
market, there were already a few settlers
within the limits Of the original grant,
and to make this good and complete for
company in their odd sections, and add
ton reserve was made of ten miles on
each side of the so miles, from which TIE
company could select lands in lieu OF
those which had been settled upon before
the original withdrawal. The railroad
company fixed price for their lands to be
sold to settlers at $3.50 per acre whenever
they were to be offered in market and
settlers were induced to 60 upon these
lands and make improvements upon them
with the distinct announcement that when
they pay for them they would have to
pay but $3.50 per acre regardless Of the
improvements the settlers had placed
upon them. The company has been along
time in selecting the lands that were to
be in lieu of those taken before the orig
inal withdrawal. They were limited, yet
the reserve has been maintained by the
Government. Meantime the settlers have
gone forward under the promise Of ulti-
mately securing their lands at $500 per
acre, and have in many instances made
large and expensive improvements with
out securing title. But 10, and behold!
a change takes place, and all at once the
railroad company decide to raise the price
Of their lands, according to what they
deem the value including improvement,
placed upon them by the settler. Thcil
good faith with the settler is broken, t.
the advantage Of the company, and great
ly to the damage Of the settler. Thu
latter is called upon to pay this value Of
skedaddle and seek a home somewher,
else. Opinions we're once expressed b,
department officers that settlements thai
were made in good faith prior to Dec. Is
1880 could not be disturbed, and severa
made their showing Of such settlements
aud asked permission to file in the u s
land Office upon their tracts SO settles
upon. But they we're not ready to ad
init these filings and on pressing the mat
ter decisions were rendered by the Secre
tary Of the Interior denying the settlers
the right TO initiate even the first ST. p.
towards title, and now the road after Il
or 20 years Of delay, is completed to thu
Columbia river, these settlers to be tolt
that they cannot have the homes the,
have built up, either under the Govern
nent, or under the regulations Of tn
railroad company without paying for tn
Improvements which they themselves hav'
put upon the lands, besides paying TO
lands themselves is an outrage upon al
principles Of justice. The company ono
fixed the price at s2.60 per acre and 81
published abroad and settlers were Undue
ed to settle aud build up homes with tha
expectation but now to augment the pric
is fraud upon them, and if the exaction
arc pressed We would not be surprised
that settlers should inaugurate some sys
tenn for their own relief that is not hi,
down in the books, and bring upon boil
themselves aud the company contests tina
will be serious and of long standing
Whatever authorities ave to act in thes
matters should be enjoined to act prompt
" in tho matter and have the final alte,
native known to all interested and definite
y adjusted with as little delay as pract
cable.
SYSTEMIC OF BDUCATIoN.