Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-05-21


down the Columbia river from "aiiuia'
Ii would, by so doing, be forced into
competition, a position 1t most earnest
Iy deprecates, as thereby Its freight
and passenger tariffs might be reduced.
Besides il can undoubtedly make sat
isfaotory contract with the y. X. q n.
Co., an arrangement much less expen-
sive Just at present and easier to accoa-
plish.
But this il not the underlying object or
motive which ipdu ses this action oil the
Northern Pacific. The bill introduced
by Senator Dolph not only gives the
company five additional years in which
to complete the Cascade branch, but II
passed will confirm It's tnte 10 er|ry acre
Of land il claims to have earned by the
oonstruction of its railroad since the
exuiration of tho time when the whole
road should have been completed. 1t 10
sought to confirm TO the company by
this bill from 100000 TO 35,OOOOo
acres OF land to which, al the law low
stands, il has no legal claim to validate
all acts of the Executive Department IN
accepting the sections completed since
July, 1879. and to give TO the company
five years more in which by construct
ING about $50 miles of railroad It can
obtain public lands now worth $20,Ooo,-
900, and which at the expiration OF that
time will be- worth not less than double
their present value.
This is the "meat in the COCO inut."
The Northern Pacific Railroad Com
pany can well afford to forego claim to
q grant which il does not intend to earn.
IL by 80 doing il can DO put IN legal
possession Of all the land now forfeit
able under provisions Of existing laws.
What security have the people of this
Territory that the Cascade branch
would be constructed In five years were
this bill to become a law True, 1t is
provided that the company shall ae-
oept its terms and file assent 10 its con-
ditions. But this WAS also required in
the original granting act OF 1864. To
what purpose ? As we have heretofore
shown, the Northern Pacific was before
Congress several times asking for and
receiving extensions of time before a
rod Of its railroad had been construct
cd, and even then had net ene-quar-
ter of its chartered line completed when
the time thus extended had expired.
Then how, we say, have the people any
assurance that the same program OF
procrastination will not be repeated 2
Imposing conditions upon that company
has never had the effect of Fastening
its railroad building. 1t has paid no
attention whatever TO its contract
heretofore. contract fully as specific
and binding as the one proposed by At
torney Dolph.
There Ii another good sized rat in
this meal bag" This bill will. IL en-
acted, confirm the claim of the North
ern Pacific Railroad Company 10 the
coal lands ia King county claimed to
have been earned by construction of
the Puyallup coal road. As the case
now stands, IL has no title thereto, be-
cause In contemplation of law that
road was not a part Of the Cascade
branch in July, 1879. after which. by
the limitations of its contract with the
Government, the Northern Pacific Com
panv could earn no more land by rail
road construction. But, il Ave years
more be given in which to construct the
Cascade branch, il will obviate this le-
gal difficulty and the company will be
enabled TO utilize portion OF that
coal road and thereby lay valid claim to
che odd sections adjacent to and coter-
minous Herewith.
On the whole, IL Is very shrewd
scheme and worthy the talent which
planned it, TO wit, the Northern Pacific
Railroad Company's legal advisers.
Oar delegate, Mr.. Brents, "a We took
pains 10 tell him some time ago, has
laid himself open to much harsh eriti.
cism In announcing his intention to
support measure, the effect of which,
as TO all uuesrned lands. wonid be
identical with that Of Mo. Dolph's bill.
II 10 becoming quite apparent that the
Republicans OF Washington Territory
and Oregon are without representation
In either branch Of Congress. Only Mr..
Slater. the Democratic Senator from
Oregon, has had the manhood 10 sdyo-
cate the oaase of the people upon this
forfeiture question, and 30 him only do
the people of either Territory or State
look for advocacy Of their rights as
opposed to the demands Of corporate
monopoly. The time has arrived when
the Republican party Of this Territory,
and We may not without reason add, of
the United States. must pay more at
tention TO popular rights and less to
corporate demands, IL 10 is 20 retain
the confidence and support of a large
portion Of its membership. There are
questions which rise superior 10 parti-
san politics, witch far ontrank the
biennial aud qusdrennial scrambles for
place and power. which are apparently
the main political issues Of the present.
Railroad corporations have exercised
and now exercise an undue infiusnee
upon the politics of the Nation. Their
hand 10 clearly seen in the politics Of
Washington Territory. ID vas appa.
rent In the last convention of Repabli-
cans at Dayton. IL was notably promi
nsnt In the Legislature at Olympia las,
autumn and 10 visible in the statutes
passed by that body. II is time 10 call
= halt, both al home and in the Nation
as large. The convention which meets
ct Chicago next mouth should Pot the