St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-06-27
CAPITAL CITY CHIPS.
How the Presidential BOOms
Thrive, as Seen from the
Potomac.
The Discovery Made that Buffers
Chances are Increasing
Slightly.
The "Sun" Attempts to Crush Cleve-
land Again in an Editorial
BrOadside.
The Tariff to be Settled in Committee at the
Chicago Convention.-The Back
bone" Land Grant.
rsnecial TELEGRAM to the Globe. l

to control legislation adverse to their interests.
This grant was originally made in 1871 to the
New Orleans, Baton Rouge Vicks-
burgh railroad, and estimated at
nearly 100000 acres. A large amount
of the bonds were issued and distributed as a
corruption fund to secure the passage of the
bill, but the company never constructed mile of
road and the grant lapsed by limitation in 1876
These bonds became valueless and were hawked
about Washington and elsewhere to trade for
''chips and millstones. Subsequently the New
Orleans Pacific, or Backbone constructed
partly parallel lines and secured transfer of this
lapsed grant from the defunct corporation to
which it was issued. AS part
consideration the backbone people agreed to
fund the old bonds at twenty cents on the dollar,
and these bonds were fshed out of pigeon holes
and became valuable to that extent. Just prior
to the certiication of these bonds by Secretary
Teller, Congressman Payson, of Illinois, filed a
protest against it, which for reasons best known
to himself he subsequently withdrew, but the
protest was Immediately renewed by
Congressman Rosecrans and Poindexter
Dunn, of Arkansas. Matters remained in
this condition until the public lands committee
on full hearing of the case reported bill de-
claring forfeiture upon the ground that the
transfer was Illegal because no lands were ever
earned by the original grantee. and the condi-
| tions precedent had not been observed. 1t is al
legged by members of the public lands commits
sion that Payson has played fast and loose in
this matter. He has been a prominent
advocate of all the other land forfeiture
bills and the fact that he opposed the passage
of this measure induced members to believe in
his good faith and they joined with him in de-
feating it. Mr.. Lewis, of Louisiana, the mem
ber of the public lands committee, who reported
the BILL changed his vote to move a recon
sideration, and the matter will come up again to-
morrow, but it is conceded the bill is beaten.
The hardship of this case is that the lands with
drawn for the past twelve years or more on &C
count of this grant have been settled upon by
thousands, whose homes now in
peril or at the mercy of the backbone corpor-
alton. They knew that not mile of the road
had been constructed by the New Orleans, Baton
Rouge & Vicksburg road, and rested secure in
consequence. 1t is charged and believed that a
large amonnt has been expended to defeat the
bill and Payson is under suspicion.
THE PUEBLO LANDS.
There was considerable adverse comment to-
day upon the action of Secretary Teller in issu-
| ing patents for the Pueblo lands in San Francis
CO, valued at many millions. pend
ing the action of the judiciary COM
mittee on the Rosecrans resolution
to inquire into the matter. The original de-
cision in this case was made by Commissioner
Williamson, and on an appeal was reversed by
Secretary Schurz. There was subsequent but in
effectual litigation, but finally Secretary Teller
affirmed the decision of Secretary Schurg, and al.
though he had been asked to appear before the
| Judiciary committee to explain the directed is
suence of patents he has not done so. 1t is al
ugly affair as it now stands and is likely to breed
| trouble.
| DEMOCRACY AND THE TARIFF.
If congress shall adjourn by July most of the
Democratic members will go direct to the Chi
cago convention. There is feeling that the
occasion calls for the presence of the ablest ani
coolest party leaders. 1t is evident that the free
trade element is bent upon making q row owe
the tariff unless prezl- -nted by the more conserva
tive wing Even a png the tariff reformer
there is strong opposition to any movement look
ing to an extreme tariff declaration in the plat
form. Prevalent sentiment among Democrats il
| congress is adverse to the revival a
Chicago of internal strife the tar
| if and any attempt in the convention t.
endorse the Morrison bill is likely to be sat dow
upon. There has been pretty free interchang,
of opinion recently as to the best tariff policy tc
| be pursued, and the Democrats who heartily sup
ported the Morrison bill admit that nothing is t.
be gained by renewing the fight. Both wings agre
to very positive declaration in favor of tariff re
vision and reduction and the eunciation of tn
doctrine thatraxes should be laid for revenue
The plan is to restrict the entire discussion O
the question to the committee on resolutions
which will sit with closed doors. The general ex
pectation is that compromise satisfactory t.
both wings will be reached.
THE PRESIDENTIAL BooMs
To-day have been divided among Bayard, Randall
Cleveland, Thurman and Ben Butler, and, strang
to relate, there is quite ground swell for But
ler. We're it not for the fear that the souther
states might rebel against him, Butler would b
very strong at the convention in case of brea
from the favorites. Cleveland stock did not ad
vance to-day, but held its own with some dispos
ton to waver. Randall's friends profess t
think he has good chance, especially if it ca
be made to appear that he can carry Pennsylvs
MIA. The assertion is made that, failing to agre
upon New York candidate, the New York dele
CATION will largely favor Randall. Enthusiast
Ohio folks build hopes upon Thurman and car
not believe that the Buckeye state will be lei
out in the cold.
MORE sssUN'' SHINE
The Cleveland men were taken aback by an
other attack to-day in the New York Sun, whic
said editorially: ssThe hostility to Clevelan
among prominent members OF his own party ez
eeeds all former animosities that we have eve
known toward Democratic officeholder while i
office. 1t goes to confirm the opinion that in thi
state at least Cleveland will be exceedingly wea
for a Democratic candidate, and that it would b
dangerous and inadyisable to put him in nomins
tion.''
LABORING FOR HENDRICKS.
Some very quiet but effective work is bein
done to place Ex-Gov Hendricks, of Indiana, o
the Democratic ticket for vice president 1t
said Mcdonald does not want the place and He1
bricks does and that in the eventof the nomin,
ton of an eastern man for president, the deleg,
tion will urge Hendricks for second place.
GRESHAM TO SUCCEED DRUMMoND.
Il Although Postmaster General Gresham is II
ticent about the matter there is authority fc
stating positively that the president will nominal
him to succeed Circuit Judge Drummond and b
will accept and retire from the cabine
District Judge Blodgett, of Chicago. is strongl
pressed for the judgship, but it is at Gresham
disposal. No conjecture is offered as to wh
will succeed Gresham as postmaster genera
The army retiring board at Ft Smelling
dissolved by the president.
Suspected Murderer Arrested.
TSnecial Telecran to the Gloha !