Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-03-28
UNEXPLAINED DELAY.

II is about two months since the
House of Representatives almost unan-
imously passed the .ill reported by Its
Committee on Pablo Lands, declaring
forfeited the land grant of the Iexas
Pacific Railroad Company, and restor-
ing it to the public donain. 1t was
sent to the S.uate Immediately. aud at
once referred to the Committee on Pub
lie Lands Of that body. After remain
ing in custody thereof for over three
weeks friends of the bill became FESTIVE,
and called for report from the com
mittee, for whom weeks time should
have been ample to investigate its mer-
its and decide upon action thereon. In
response to inquiries it WAS said that
the House bill needed amending, So as
to change the date of restoration to n
future time in order to protect settlers
against the designs of land monopoIi-ts
who stood ready to gCbbie up these re-
stored acres, under some existing but
not generally known law. Next it was
telegraphed that the committee had
submitted a report. This was about the
tenth of the present month. Since that
time there has been an ominous silence.
1t has been the constant practice for
the past ten years to permit every bill
obnoxious to the railroad corporations
of this country to die in some commit
tee pigeon-hole OF either House or
upon its files. The Thurman bill
il the only prominent exception to
the unvarying regularity Of this Gus
tom. 1t IL the easiest method Of de.
fsating bills, and does not place
men on record. Hence its popularity.
The session is now probably more than
half ended. Other important bills.
based upon similar Just grounds, are
pending in the House Of Representa-.
tives. Upon prompt and favorable 40
ton by the Senate with rcspec, to the
bill before it tho fate of some of these
succeeding bills in great measure de-
ponds. It begins to look as though the
people were again to be trifled with !:
as If the corporations had not lost their
grip Of the highest legislative body in
this nation. The public are long suffer
ing, and will wait patiently ~ long AZ
hope of justice and relief through legis-
ton remains.
We are not aware of the existence of
any law under which monopolists would
have greater opportunity to Hobbls ny
these lands, il restored to the public do.
main, than they now have to obtain
government lands. The laws nov ap-
plicable to the latter would equally ap-
ply to those forfeited. Under present
laws, il honestly enforced, monopoly Of
lands is not easy. The trouble has been
and 10 that existing laws. including the
penalties for violating them, have been
practically Ignored. The existing laws
under which public lands can be taken
are thus summarized by the San Fan.
CISCO Chroaieie
Cd Presumption CD homestea 4 (S)
Timber Act, restricting one person 10
one section "a Timber Culture Act
which Is inpracticabie ~ tponopol,,ts
(b) additional homestead serip. which
il now worth from SIS 10 &25 an acre
aud too costly for the land erahber: (6)
valentine scrip. now worth from 40 Ia
$6O per acre: (1l Agricultural Colleya
scrip, which can only he located on
what Ia known as offered land" or
land that has been for many wears oman
to homestead and pre- mption, bu, nat
taken (S4 cash purchase. which cannot
be made save Of land that has heen
offered" and for u long time opeu 10
presumption and homestead settlement:
go land that may be taken under the
Desert Land Act, the quantity for each
one taker being limited to reasonable
amount and barring monopoly. unless
fraud and perjary and subornation are
resortsd to.
The only effect that delay in the res |
toration Of these lands can have ia I, |
enable monopolists to selec, those mos,
available and put up jobs To get them |
by fraud and perjury. The sooner this
question is decided, and the lands
thrown open TO homestead and pre-
smption entry, the batter the oppor,u.
nifty which will be afforded for homes,
selection and occupation by bona tide
settlers. The action Of tho Senate
10 being awaited with anxiety bv
vast number of people, who want 10
know the ultimate fate of the bill p.ss-
I'd by the House.
FoR SALE.-Judkin's floating phot,-