Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-06-10
HOME AGAIN.
fhs Pespl5s representative Arrives
From the National Capital aud
Sabmiis 10 an Interview.
what Hen. W. n. white Has 20 Say
About HIS Eastern Trip,

Early yesterday morning Hon. W. ID.
White, the gentleman selected by the
peopIe of Western Washington 70 visit
the National Capital and lay before Con
gress the sentiment of the people of the
Territory in favor of the unconditional
forfeiture and restoration TO the public
domain of ali the unearned lands along
the proposed route.of the Northern Pa
ciiic Railroad, returned 20 Seattle, and
during the afternoon he Consented 10 an
interview. In response to general
question as to the success of his missien
Est, Mr.. White said:
when | first reached Washington,
EIGHT DAYS from Seattle. found that
the forfeiture of the \. p. X X. grant
had already been considered by the
House Committee, and reported upon.
Through the kiad offices of Hon. Bar
Il. Henley. of California. and Hon. Mr..
p yson, OF Illinois. / was accorded \
hearing before the Public Lands Com
mittee, the substance of which you have
.Iready published. The argument there
made before that committe | had
printed in pamphlet fOrL, together
With extracts from the various news
papers of the Territory and resolutions
If public meetings, showing the senti-
meat of the people in favor of forfei-
ture. This pamphlet was placed In the
hands of every Senator and Represen-
tatIve, and heads of departments.
:" had personal interview, through
the kindness of a mutual friend, with
Secretary Teller, relstive TO the grant
ING of certificates and patents for the
land sought to be obtained by the Con
oany on the Puyallup Coal Road, and
ne gave me his personal promise that no
patents or certificates showing title In
the company should be issued while the
bills for forfeiture were pending before
Congress.
81 then called upon members OF the
Public l. 4nds Committees of both the
House and Senate, and urged upon
them the passage of resolution direct
ing the withholding of all patents and
certificates for such lands. / also
furnished Senator Van Wick the facts
and data relative to the Puyallup coal
road which he used in calling she atten-
ton of the Senate to the proposed
gigantic steal. A similar resolution,
only broadened in terms was, at my So
licitation, adopted by the House Com
mittee on Public Lands, and introduced
in the House. The railroad company,
prior to the introduction of
these resolutions. got wind there
Of and did all in its power
to prevent their introduction. The
Senators and members were beset by
the whole railroad lobby. reinforced by
G. b. Wright in person, to prevent the
introduction of the resolutions. Thus
stood matters when | left Washington
City. Mr.. Henley Informed me, the day
before my departure, that the House
bill reported by him, FORGETTING all the
lands west of the Missouri River. would
be taken up immediately after the Ore
gon and California land grant bills we're
disposed of, three weeks from that time.
These bills we're acted upon favorably
last week. and it is my opinion that the
Northern Pacific forfeiture bill will be
reached this or the coming week by the
House. The attention of the Public
Lands Committee was particularly
called to the coal road and the fact that
it was built in 1876, and that Mr.. Hen
ley's bill might require amendment SO
| IA to save all questions relative to the
| forfeiture of lands upon this particular
| road. Mr.. Henley and MIR. Payson b,th
promised to see the bill so amended as
| To restore to the public domain all
lands on the Cascade branch, whether
along the coal TO I'd or along the uncon-
| struoted portion of the line, when TIE
bill came up for final consideration. 1t
| is my belief that the Senate will not 90
| az far as the House on the forfeiture
question. but that it will go so far as to
favor forfeiture on the line down the
Columbia River from Wallula and on
the entire line of the Cascade branch
This will be the result if the Democratic
Senators act in harmony with such Re
publican Senators as Mr.. Van Wyck.
Col. Gray. the general counsel of
the railroad company, stated to me on
my arrival at Washington that the
Stampede Pass had really been decided
upon as the route through the Cascade
Mountains, but that official action had
not been taken. He said that Seattle
would have as coed connections as Ia
coma when the road was finally COM
pleted. NV advice, however. to the
| people ia to pat no faith in railroad
promises, bat to GO right along in their
| Just and righteous opposition to con
tinuatibn of the land grant, aud to in
slst on the restoration to the public do
| main of all unearned lands, including
the lands along the Puyallup coal road.
in my opinion, based on information
from men ON the inside, the Northern
| Pacific Railroad Company will not
bald mile of road this year, for they
have not the funds and cannot raiss the
money TO do it. A map similar to the
| one recently issued by the Seattle
Chamber of Commerce, only showing
the black cloud m ade by the land grant
clear across the continent, street hing
from the Pacific Ocean to the great lakes,
was gotten mp during my sojourn in
Washington. and distributed among the
members of Congress.
The Oregon Short Line is rapidly ap-
preaching the Columbia River, and is
heading for the Sound. Ii is more like
ly To reach it across the mountains than
| the Northern Pacific.
The Union Pacific Railroad now prac-
tioally controls all the trade of Idaho
aud Montana, as well as Utah and east
ern Oregon. | came by rail from Chi
caeo to Portland. and on the route only
travelled twenty four hours on the
Northern Pacitio line. This Union Pa
,iic road extends TO within few miles
II Helena. Montana, connecting with
the Northern Pacific at a place called
Garrison.
The Northera Pacific Company has
no definite lease of the Oregon hallway
and Navigation Company's line from
Wailuls to Portland. and it is generally
believed that the Union Pacific folks
nave control of the Oregon Railway
and Navfaafion Tina plaeinu tha Narth
srn Pacific Company in their power.
Reporter-"M White, how were Won
received by Delegate Brentsf"
Mr.. white-"As we'll rs could be ex