Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1885-10-03

In SEINE instances these roads have
been partially constructed, in others no
attempt has been made to build, yet in
all Gases the entire grant is claimed, and
the lands thus covered are withheld
from settlement. The Supreme Court
of the United Stat 50 having decided
that "a failure to complete the road
within the time fixed in the grant, does
not forfeit the grant," the lands thus
withheld must remain so until BY act Of
Congress the respective unesrned grants
are declared forfeited. Ii has been
truly affirmed that title to nearly one
hundrsd million acres of land, right
fully belonging to the people of this
country, is IN u condition that 10 may,
by crafty ENHANCEMENT of Law, be con-
hrmed in the interest of graspinR and
cooperative monopolies; yet Congress
remains passive, refusing to assert tie
rights of the people. although we'll ad-
vised of the imperative necessity for
action"
A fair illustration that the Govern
ment is or has been in danger OF losing
these lands is the case 1T the Back
Orleans, Nicksburg and Baton Rouge
grant was that the road should be CON-
pleted in i've years. Not a yard Of
Q nth vas ever moved by this comp any.
They did, however. issue and sell bonds,
then transferred the grant to the New
Orleans and Pacific road, which CON-
pany sold its charter rights to the Texas
Pacific, reservina its assigned grant and
transferring IL TO the American In
srovemsnt Company. The Backbon.
ers" have repeatedly importuned Con
Rress for confirmation, always meeting
With refusal. The culmination of this
affair shows how great the power and
hos little the care exercised by high
officials in disposing Of or protecting
the public lands. Durins the last few
weeks of the retiring administration
there vas great and unusual animation
noticeable in the General Land Depart
ment. Extra clerks we're busy night
and day filing out papers With precipit-
COS haste; and when the present Score
tary assumed control Of the office the
mill vas still In full blast, grinding out
what proved to be patents for lands Of
this Backbone" grant, 100 600 acres
Of which were already decided. every
: volution Of the wheels severinR from
the public domain, without adequate,
II any, compensation, great tracts Of
land. At once the machinery vas o.
dsred stopped. saving tn the Govern
ment thousands Of acres. and iuaugura-
ting, IL Is TO be hoped, new era in the
Bethods Of dispusing of that portion Of
our public domain which stiu remains.
The wanton and wholesale plumber Of
our public lands the past 20 years far
nishes material for the most astounding
chapter of American history.
In what terms may Ne itly character
ise q system which permits one man, BY
questionable methods, 30 secure grant
of lands covering narrow strip extend
ing for miles along the banks OF large
stream With all its Tributaries, compris-
ing in itself q small acreage, bat rem
derinQ inaccessible 10 others, and de-
privine the 0overnment of the sale Of
niliio0s Of acres of the adjacent landa,
"a notable instance of this kind occur
ring In New Aexioo}-a system which
winks at the building Of fences BY cattle
kings around vast areas, exeiudi 2
thsrefrom the honest settler. putting up
in eject . barrier 10 the progress Of
civilization, and which enables railroad
corporations, after receiving patents 20
over s.. 00, 600 acres, sill to set up, With
fair prospect Of success. claims for l02.-
OOe 600 marey- Tssfsr B. Paise. ~ Har-
....ss Haoa -f.S far 0rfoAer