The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-05
NOTES FROM WASHINGTON.
Forfeiture of Land Grants-What "a Prona-
inent WI ember of the House Says About
the HIatter-LOgan and she Presidency.
Especial Correspondence Of the Press.l
WASHINGTON. Feb. 8

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.
LAND GRANT.
The simple passage of bill by the House de-
clarng a forfeiture of the land grants of a rail-
road does not forfeit that grant and return the
land to the public domain More than that,
there are many people in Washington who
havs no idea that this is as near a forfeiture as
they will ever get. 1t may not be the proper
thing to mention in public, but it seems that
there was good deal of bunc0mbe in the action
of the House in passing a bill forfeising the
Texas Pacific grants the other day. "The
fact is said very prominent member OF the
House, 81 have very serious doubts whether
Congress has theright to make these forfeit
nrss. / have all along believed it to be the
business of the courts, ana not that of Congress
to pass on these legal questions. Why the
principle of law is SO clearly established, that
temporary failure to carry ont a contract re-
gardng a real estate transaction does not for
felt the sale if the purchaser is willing to
comply when the action is brought, that caa-
not see how a judicial mind can hesitate a nc
ment, or how House composed of lawyers can
have thought it its duty to act upon the ques-
tion. 1t seems to me clearly question for the
courts, and that when they do ae9 the lands
cannot under the principles of law regarding
forfeitures be forfeited il the parties come for
ward and show that the requirements were per-
formed subsequent to the time at which the
work was to have been done. Why the prin-
ciples of forfeiture are so clearly defined in
law, that ii a man buys piece of real estate
and fails to comply with the terms of agree
ment, his title is not forfeited il when be is
brought into court he offers to sthen ard there
comply with the terms Of the contract, even
though the time have long since passed"
"Ihen what will be the result of all this?"
"That il pretty hard to say 1t is not likely,
however that this action by the House means
Al, AtN.n L..
if the Senate should pass the bill, which is not
at all certain, the matter will be brought into
the courts in some way, aud finally to the Su-
preme Court before it is decided"
"Why didn't this feature of the case come
come up in the discussion in the House?'
Probably because nobody had the nerve to
talk about it. 1 cauno5 suppose that the mem
bers, many of them first-class lawyers, could
have overlooked this principle. The fact is il
Is worth mans political scalp to have voted
against the bill with the pressure there is to
pass it from all over the country. It's craze,
and there's no use fighting against it:'
Au examination of the record shows that
this statesman is recorded as ''nos voting" as
are fifty eight other artful dodgers.
CoNGREssMEN AS GIyERs.
"These places ara not so profitable as they
used to be' said neatly dressed and attentive
colored waiter in the House restaurant. "You
see that man over there-member of Congress
and rich toe? Well do you suppose ne ever
gives fellow anything? Never. The average
Congressman now is as close as the bark on
tree. We very seldom get anything out of
them. Why years ago these places used to bs
very much sought alter. can remember the
time in my experience here that men holding
places here wouldn't exchange them for gov
ernment position. But that isn't the case now
not by long shot. II we make fifty cents
day extra we think we ara in big luck.
"Who are your best customers now?"
ooh strangers. We don't get much from
members now days. The visitors from the
East are the best. Sometimes a lobbyist does
something for us, especially if we can do some-
thing for him."
LOGAN FOR PRESIDENT.
Your correspondent today met DR.. L. A.
Powell, a prominent man in the organization
of the Republican party, personal friend of
the late President Lincoln, who was delegate
to the convention which nominated Lincoln
tie second time, and has been a member of
every national convention since that save one
Talking of the presidency, he said that while
there was no lack of able men, and while he
had nothing to say against any of the states
men mentioned for the position, he was for
I Logan, as the most available candidate.
81 have reached this conclusion he said af-
| ter osreful study of the subject ana careful
| talks with many prominent factors of the par
! ty. believe that Logan combines more of
| the popular elements of strength than any of
| the other men mentioned. His record is with
| out stain. He was gallant soldier, and can
| get more soldier votes than any other man
| mentioned, for the humblest soldier in the late
war recognizes him as his friend. He Is a
magnetic man and stirs up popular enthusiasm.
| Political students of Ohio and New York, the
| pivotal states, admit that he could carry those
| cta x1is Tbara 10, l..k =
would sweep the country, and make a good
| President