Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-08
rlncnrned Land Grants.

Congress appears TO have been aroused
at last to the importance Of declaring uh-
earned land grants forfeited, and Of re-
pealing laws, such as the pre-empuon'
timber culture and desert land laws. by
which syndicates and land %raooers nave
been able 70 get possession OF so many
millions Of acres Of the public lands. Inc
Anderson bill. requiring the immediate
adjustment of railroad land grants, was
passed by the House on Monday, and on
/ Thursday the House Committee on PuO
/ tic Lands reported in favor of declaring
certain unearned land grants in Florida
forfeited. while Senator Plumb reported
on behalf of the Senate Committee on
Public Lands in favor of declaring for
feited the upearned land grants of rail
roads located in several other Southern
States.
The public domain is rapidly disappear
ing. The number OF acres Of fertile lands
in possession of the government that can
be homesteaded is comparatively small.
Those who have studied the land ques-
ton closely have long entertained the
opinion that when the government no
longer has land to give TO the laudless,
there will be a great deal OF discomfort in
this country which may be followed by
trouble Of "A most disastrous character.
We have more than once pointed out that
while there is good government land,
which those who are discOnfented with
their condition can homestead, there need
be no great apprehension of danger to our
institutions. Genuine wOrkmen who are
dissatisfied because they find il difficult
to get enough bread to supply the wants
of their families, will never feel like en-
couraging lawlessness as long as there is
an opportunity to get land for the mere
asking for it,
Congress has been urged for q long
time to do what it is now doing, but those
interes ed in the unearned land grants
have always been able to prevent any
legislative action with respect to them.
Public sentiment, however, has become
so strong in favor OF declaring these
grants forfeited that it dares not hesitate
any longer.
What argument is there, that is worthy
of consideration. that justities Congress
in permitting railroad companies which
have a very doubtful existence, or which
even have a recognized existence, to hold
on to land to which they have not a
shadow OF right? These companies I'M
dertOok to do certain things, in consid-
Grafton of land grants which they have
neglected to do. The contract which they
had with the government was broken by
themselves. and the government was re-
leased from all obligations to them.
it is only natural. OF course, that the
railroads should want to hold on to the
grants, which have not only increased
greatly in value within the last few years,
but which are now increasing in value
much more rapidly than ever before on
account OF the growing scarcity Of
/ land. The railroads ought to have
whatever they are entitled to, but there
is no obligation on the part OF the govern
ment to give them anything. The gov
eminent cannot afford 20 be generous TO
corporations as long as there are poor cit
liens unprovided for.
The retention of unearned land grants
by railroad companies which have not
built the railroads which they agreed to
| build and which perhaps they have no in
tentiOn of building, is not only great
wrong to those who are seeking new
homes, but is damaging to the States in
which the lands are located. The high
price per acre put upon some OF these un
earned land grants not only drives immi
grants away but prevents the lands from
becoming settled. The result is thai
lands which, if open to settlement, would
pay taxes and help to bear the expenses
of the government, remain untaxed FOL
years, or, il taxed at all, are taxed on {
value so low that they yield scarcely any
revenue. The sooner Congress declares
unearned land grants forfeited the bette
it will be for the country.