The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1886-06-23
THE FORFEITURE BILL.

in another column we republlsh the
telesraphR news referring to the action
of the senate regarding the Northern
Pacific forfeiture bill, which provides for
the forfeiture of the unearned land OF
the Northern Pacific railroad company;
declares forfeited SO much of the lands
granted that company as are .termin-
GUS with that part of its main line which
extends from Wallua Junction to Port
land, and that part Of the Cascade
branch which shall not be completed at
the date of the passage Of the bill, and
makes the right of way in territories
subject to taxation. Nothing in the act
is to be construed to waive any right OF
the United States to forfeit any other
lands granted to them for failure, past or
future, to comply with the conditions OF
the grant. That this bill will become a
law there is no doubt, as the house will,
it is understood, pass it almost unani-
nously. The Northern Pacific is to be
congratulated. BY the provisions OF
this bill they will forfeit that land only
which Willard intendel to add to the
companv's domain in his desire to per-
manently aid Portland and by the time
the law takes effect the company will
have trains running over the Cascade
~ n Tacoma
thereby obtaining title to the land adj
iacent thereto. 1t is a dire blow to Port
land, but it is nothing more than could
be expected, and after many years
substantial recognition of the peoples
wishes. The clause making the right of
way in territories subject to taxation, is
also just and equitable measure caict :
lated for the good of the territories. 1t
is a measure for which Montana, through
Delegate Toole, has loudly and constant
" clamored. a few profess to believe
that until Montana becomes a state Tins
act of congress il null and void, and
that, upon this ground the railroad COM
pany will oppose the enforcement of the
net. but it is gratifying and encouraging
to know that in this case the govern
ment will become the plaintiff, and
thereby relieve the counties traversed
by the road Of the attendant costs Of
suit. 1t is asserted by Delegate Toole
that the eight hundred and twenty-five
miles of the road within the limits Of
Montana. if rated at five thousand doll
lars per mile, a moderate value for tax
alton. the increase of revenue from that
source alone would ray into our treasury
sum equal to $4,000. The railroad
receives the protection Of the laws, and
should equitably and fairly bear its inst
and equal burdens of taxation with the
taxpayers of this territory.
The CHRONICLE is not, nor never has
been in sympathy with the class Of
people who fail to see any good in rail-
road company; it has all along desired
that the lands unearned should be for
feited, believing also that gross and
plaring injustice would be perpetrated
by congress if that body favored
sweeping forfeiture Of the railroad lands
from Livingston west. on the slight tech
nicality upon which such action would
have been based. The existing BILL for
feiting the unearned land, also providing
for the taxation of the railroad COM
pany's property, is exactly what il has
wished for, and ought to satisfy every
one not predominantly selfish.