Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1886-01-21
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House Memorial No. IL. introduced
By Mr.. Mandsy. and nov before the
Legislature for action. Is . strongly
worded, bat Just statement, resdir 6
as follows:
To the Senate ssd House Of Rep
resents,ives Of the Cnired States OF
America in Congress assembled: The
Legislative Assembly Of the Terrific
~ of Washington, respectfully rep
resent: That by the act of July 4
1864. and by certsis resolutions here
matter cited. supplemental THERETO
and smendatory thereof, Congress
authorized the Northern Pacific Rsil-
road Company 10 construct in this
Territory upward of five hundred
miles of main line. and branch line
of about two hundred and fifty miles,
and 10 aid in the construction there
of, grated said company for all of
said branch liae, and he larger part
of said main line, every alternate sec
ton OF land for forty t40) miles on
each side of said lines. upon the con-
dition. among others, that he whole
of said Northern Pacific railroad, rs
chartered. should be completed on
or before the fourth day of July.
1876; which time was subsequently
extended, by Congressional enact
ment, and Departmental construc-
lion, to the second day of July 1879
That at the expiration of such ex-
tended time said company had built,
within this Territory, or upon this
coast, only that part of its chartered
lines between Tacoma aud kslama.
authorized by the resolutions of
April 10, 1869, and May 81, 1870. and
that not one mile of said compaDy's
authorized road within this Territory
was built within the lifetime of the
grant as extended.
That the Commissioner of the Gen
eral Land Office has recently decided
that no land grant was made, or ill.,
tended to be made, by said resolu-
tons, for that part of the liue be-
tween Tacoma and kslsma, con-
structed as aforesaid, although more
than two million five hundred thous-
and e 500, 0O0) acres of valuable
lands along said constructed road
have, for more than twelve years.
been wrongfully withdrawn from en-
try and settlement, and held under
al. Of laid annnanv
Thst although no subsidized road
was built within the time required BY
the charter, every odd numbered sec
ton of land, over about two-thirds
of the entire area of the Territory,
has been for more than twelve years
withdrawn from entry and settlement
under the public land laws, and held
under the control and for the benefit
of said company.
That these lands were Withdrawn
and reserved for said company on
what are termed MAPS OF General
Route" and trial lines although
by the express terms of said charter
no lands could be legally withheld
from settlement until the line was
definitely fixed" and no rights OF
the company could attach 10 said
lands until the line was 80 fixed; thai
said lines have been frequently fe-lo-
Gated and amended and new with
drswals made; that by reason of such
changes titles have been unsettled
and settlers have been subject TO
nnmberless expressions and exactions
by said company.
That since the expiration OF said
extended time in 1879. said company
has built within this Territory. upon
the lines authorized by its charter
295 ll-l00 miles of road, and has
claimed therefor, and been allowed
as earned, the lands along the road 81
constructed, though upon what ruls
of law, right or justice. your me
morialists are unable To ascertain.
| That during said time other rail
road companies, without subsidies in
money, bonds or lands, have bull
within said Territory. and entirel,
within the limits. and in spite OF ths
blightiug shadow of the withdrawal
lands for the Northern Pacific rail
road ompany, over 1853 miles o
road; that in addition thereto Their,
have been built along the southern
border of this TER tory, along tn,
Columbia river. but in the State o
Oregon, 2i4 miles of unsubsidiz q
road; that said road parallels tn
same number of miles of the char
tered lines of the Northern Psci6,
along the Territorial side of said Co
lumbia river. not one rod OF whicl
has ever been, OF is Intended to be
constructed, although the enormou
land grant VI many years ago wrong
fully withdrawn therefor still remain
Withdrawn from entry and settlement
That all OF said roads. aggregstini
over 567 miles, were built by privat
enterprise, and because they woul,
pay; that the wisdom of the projec
tors has been amply shown by th
fact that said roads, from the day O
their construction, have never fsile
TO return abundant profits on ever.
dollar Of capital invested in them.
Your memoriahsts further repr'
| 5fut. uAi TUG EftWbu ohb NSNSiot
ment Of the Territory have bee
greatly retarded by the long COZ
unued Withdrawal Of such enormou
tracts OF land. and the aforessi
shifting Of lines, and the entangl'
meuts and uncertainties OF till
created thereby; that said lands hsv
been, and are now. needed for home
for actual settlers under the hon,
stead and preemptiou laws, and ,
, longer withhold them from settl'
ment is 10 foster monopoly. by el
tending to corporations privilege
and rmmunities which are denied I
individual citizens; that there is q
n ason why the delinquent corpor,
ton should not be held to as strict
compliance with its contracts g th
private citizen.
That the Northern Pacific Railros
COMPANY, having failed to perfurr