The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-07-31
Mr.. Hill and the Public Lands.


cratic tactics. could not fairly state a fact,
if it would in the least reflect favorably
on the Presidential candidates Of the Re-
publican party or the party itself. He said
that '.the Republican House of Represen-
tatives at one time, of which Mr.. Blaine
was a member, haddonated 296, 0O0, 000acres
of public lands to railroads, but now they
strenuously oppose that policy" This was
instanced as evidence of the corruption OF
the Republican party. Yet had Mr.. Hill
been fair enough to have stated that the
lands so donated were not worth dollar
to the government and never would have
been but for the policy of thus encourage
ing private enterprises in the construc-
ton of continental lines of railroads, the
object he had in view would have been de-
feated The donation of these lands was
followed blythe construction of four rail
roads from the Missouri and Mississippi
Valleys to the Pacific coast building up
busy industries and taxable resources, in
one continuous stretch across the cOnti-
nent, and converting the range of the
buffalo and the haunts of the Indian into
sites for cities and towns and smiling
farms and prolific ranches. An empire in
wealth and enterprise has grown up on the
desert plains the lines of civilization ex-
tended churches and school houses dot
ting the wide expanse of a once barren
territory, and trade and commerce send
ing the currents of life and prosperity
through the channels thus created. There
is no grander achievements of the country
than those which have sprung from the
policy of the Republican party, in legis-
lating to connect the Atlantic and Pacific
States by iron bands, and converting the
waste places of the continent into seats OF
business activities. Now that the desert
has been rescued from desolation, avenues
of approach opened to the lands of the
government, which have been made val
liable by the donations referred to, it is
proper and right to change the policy and
hold the public domain thus easily APP
proachable, for the settlement of our citi-
zens who may seek homes on the frontier.
Tie Republican party is not ashamed of
it's record in this respect, nor will Mr..
Blaine wish to escape from any response
bility that may attach to him as amember
of that party, and of the Congress that leg
islated SO wisely.
The Democrats, at the last session of
Congress. continued Mr.. Hill, restored
100, 000, 900 acres of these lands to the peO-
Pile, but these bills, which originated in
the Democratic House for the restoration
Of the lands, were now hanging fire in %
Republican Senate" Yes, and there IS q
vast amount of injustice in some of these
bills. Where the corporations favored
with the donations have not substantially
complied with the terms of the grants, or
are unable or unwilling to do so, the lands
so given ought to be forfeited. But
where the substantial object of the dona-
ton has been accomplished, it is nothing
short of robbery to avail of technical adj
vantages to demand forfeiture. The
Democratic party in and out of Congress
would be entirely capable of doing gross
injustice to everything or anything if
thereby it could gain a partizan advantage
and make a little cheap campaign, capital.
r epublicans and Democrats favored these
bills of almost indiscriminate forfeiture,
and in doing so showed moral obtuseness.
not at all to be envied Where there has
been wilful, palpable violation of the
grant, forfeiture was proper. Where the
offense had been merely technical, it was
crime to enforce the forfeiture, Just be,
cause the power rests in Congress to do 1T.
We cannot understand how gentlemen can
either by omission or commission. attempt
to misinform and mislead the people, merely
in the hope of making favorable impress
sion or effecting party benefit. Taking 1t
as whole, the legislation of Congress in
reference to the public lands and the con-
struction of railroads to the Pacific coast,
as a part of that legislation, form the most
important record of brave and compre-
hensive craftsmanship the annals OF the
country contain, and no higher testimony
could be asked to the patriotism and cour-
age of party than is found in the land
grants and railroad charters which brought
into existence States and Territories,
cities and towns, blooming valleys and
cheerful scenes of domestic and public
enterprises, where before was a bowling
wilderness, peopled alone by wild beasts
and wilder Indians.
Mr.. Hill is a good Democrat, and for
that reason did not hesitate to distort
facts and pervert conclusions for the ben
eft Of his party and the damage OF his OPP
ponents. The instance we have cited, was
notable. although covered and unprobed,
it, might mislead many who have not
had their attention drawn to the cause
and effect of the conditions he reviewed.
With a proper understanding of the mat
ter, the object he sought will be defeated,
and instead of a discredit to the RepuD-
lican party and Mr.. Blaine, as Mr.. Hills
version was designed to make it. it will
stand out as one of the strongest common
dations that could be possibly offered. As
ssThe Reformers."
| The Democratic National sCOmmittee