New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-16
NATIONAL CAPITAL TOPICS
NORTHERN PACIFIC LAND FORFEIrURE
THE sENATE PASSES THE BILL ALMOST UNANi'
MOUSLY.


THE SENATE PASSES THE BILL ALMOST UNANI-
MOUSLY.
W,surScToN June 15.-On motion OF Mr..
Dolph tho Northern Pacific Forfeiture Dill was taken up
br the Senate to-day and Mr.. George resumed lis
remarss ON the bill lie entered elaborate legal
argument TO show tho company was not entitled TO
any lands not earned strictly within tho terms OF the
grant After a dscussion between Aessrs George ana
Mitchell OF Oregon, the amendment OF MI van MycK
was brought to q vote The amendment declares ior'
foiied the lands contermuous with the portion Oh the
Branch not completed ut the date OF the pass
age OF tho pending bill The amendment was agreed to
yeas "a nays IS.
Lir Enstis then formally submitted his amendment.
already suggested being provision In the nature oil
substitute forfeitng all lands conterminous Win
such portions OF the road as were not com
pleted on July 4. 1879, excepting tho right OF way
and excepting also the lands included in the village,
town or city sites The amendments provides FOR con-
nrmaton OF tho titles OF actual settlers
Mr. Beck said that II It right to forfeit tho North
ern Pacific lands uneaIned at the time nred by tho
granting. act then right to forfeit lands SINH
larlv unearned By the Union Pacific and other land
grant roads Nothing would better crafty the Union
and Central Pacific than forfeited the whole land
grant OF the Northern Pacific Company which had not
been earned within the time fixed by the granting act
while their own grants similarly uncarned remained
undsturbed Why should no forfeited the grant OF one
without tine grants OF Its rivals
Mr. Vance inquired what hardship or injustice woud
he done Congress assorted the rights of the people In
this matter OF forfeiture Mr. Vance criticised the
land grant policy tho Government AS having boen
wasteful and cxtravagant.
| Mr. Teller defended the course OF the Republican
PARTY as to purity and patriotism OF Its motive and
conduct in public land. He did not think IL
heconing in tho Senator North Carolina criticse
those land grants. Those grants were made By men
who acted with thcbes lights they had at tho time
The Senator North Carolina and his friends were at
that time against the Government OF the United
States.
Mr.. Vance remarked that when in answer to an argu
ment against wasteful and extravagsnt land policy
Senator got up said that he r vance, took part In
the rebellion, Mr. Vance knew that the Lord bad
delivered that Senator into his (Mr Nsnccs hahus
Mr. Teller replied that from what he understood. the
Senator from North Carolina was rather an WI @
not perhaps energetic as some Others though ne u
rebellion for the purpose OF rejecting any Senators
| but to show that at the time referred 10 men wer.
not certain that they could maintain the integrity
MIR. Logan said 1T we'll known that the platforms
OF both the Democratic and Republican parties nad 90
oared In favor OF the Pacific railroads and that tt
grants were passed by the votes OF both parties IL was
cribe to the Republican party whatever iauts had TO
suited from the policy adopted IL na1 Dse ei e nor
act and had been left for Abraham Lincoln
10 sign such AN act Ii came. therefore, with bal
grace from Democratic Senators charge the Repubi
can party with not being the friends OF Tue men Una
wanted homes Mr.. Logan would not ST. by any longer
and hear such allegations
Mr. Eustis's amendment was rejected-yeas IL. nay
| 80. -,
! Mr.. Van Wyck offered amendment repeating the
clause the granting act which made the right OF way
EXEMPT from taxation In the Territories. He said tha
under all the circumstances he thought the road should
bear its share OF taxation Tho amendment was aereeu
| to-yeas 20, nays 20. - an
The bill being brought TO vote was passcd-yehS A.
DAYS (Mr Blalr. .,
The bill forfcts unearned lands OF the Northern
Pacific Railroad Company as are contermlnous WIN Una
OF its main line which extends from Nailula Junction
to Portland and that part OF the Cascade Brancn wcl
shall been completed at the date OF the passage
OF ths bill and makes the right OF way IN the leiii
tories subject taxation Nothing In the ac IA 10 VI
construed 10 right OF the United states u
forfeit any other lands granted to them Tor lainre pas
OF mime cOmnY with The cOnllllOns OF the grant