The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-05-26

THE fight over the land grantforfeiture
is at last ended SO far as the senate is
concerned, and as both claim to be more
than satisfied with the result, there
would seem 60 be nothing in the way OF
the bills passing the house without
further amendment. The Detroit Even
ing Journals Washington correspondent
speaking OF the contest in the senate
says:
The battle was a hot one while IL lasted
and now that the smoke has cleareL
away Il Is possible TO see the results, but
60 spectator il il not yet clear which
side lost the greatest number OF killed
or wounded. Even the participants in
the contest are somewhat at sea on this
point, for each side declares emphaticilly
and triumphantly that the other was ig-
ANONYMOUSLY routed. They make these
claims because they look at the result
from different points Of view. During the
fight only the leaders knew what they
were fighting for. The privates, although
they stuck Co their guns maniully, dis
played their utter ignorance OF the object
OF the war. The three weeks fight all
center eel on the Michigan cases and the
Michigan senator's did the bulk OF the
fighting 1t was n sort OF family qunriel
i'm which the various attorneys and
claiments looked on from the galleries IN
more or less excitement. Charges Oi
fraud were more than limited at on both
sides. When the bill finally passed after
being once or twice reconsidered, the
portion Of il affecting the Michigan lands
stood exactly as follows;
Ia All cases when any OF the lands forfeited by
the first section Of the act. or when any lands
llnquish 20. or for any causes resumed by the
United states from grants for railroad purposes
heretofore made Go the state Of Michigan, have
heretofore been disposed oiby theproper officers
Of the United states under color Of the public
land laws or under state selections In Michigan
confirmed by the secretary Of the Interior where
the consideration received therefor Is still re-
tained by the government. The right and title To
all persons holding or claiming under such dis
posals shah be, and Is hereby, confirmed; pro
vided however that where the original cash
purchasers are the present owners this act shall
be operative 20 confirm the title only OF such
said cash purchasers the secretary OF the In
terror shall be satisfied have purchased without
fraud and IN the belief that they were thereby
obtaining valid titles from the United States.
Provided, That nothing herein contained shall
bc construed co confirm any sales or entries Of
lands, or any tract IN such state selections, upon
which there were bona fde pre-emption orhome-
stead claims on the ist day OF May, 1883. arising
or asserting under color OF the laws OF the United
states; and all such preemption and homestead
claims are hereby confirmed.
That is the bill as il passed the senate,
and yet upon calmly studying it's provi-
sions the cash entrymen and canal owners
Il
other, each claim a victory. Senator
Stockbridge, when asked for his opinion
Of the status Of affairs and result OF the
fight, said;
The bin as passed provides for the conhrma-
tion OF the canal companys selections and the
cash purchases except as against bona fide home
stead or pre.emption claiments which many have
been established upon any OF the lands up 10 the
first day OF May. 1SsS, and that Is just what we
were perfectly willing 90 do all the time. That s
also what seator Palmer refused Go accept.
What he and his advisors sought 60 do was 60
have the cases decided according 90 the rulings
of the secretary OF the Interior The effect OF
such settlement would be Just what we admit.
with many Of these sales there were technical
defects IN the title OF the cash entrymen and the
canal company and the secretary decided
consequently any pre-emptions whatever were
good. That was his decision. The bin Rs II
passed establishes the detective titles OF the canal
company and the cash entrymen except against
bona fide homesteaders up 20 May /, 1883. We
were willing 60 take care OF this class OF home.
Steaders, but were not anxious TO do anything
for the frauds and spectators who claim 20 be-
homcsteaders and prcemptors
Geo. NJ. Buckley, OF Iron River, who
represented the Iron county homestead.
ers at Washington, on the other hand
gives his reason Of the fight In the follow.
ing language:
This has been the most bitter fight that vii
cofHe before the senate. Senator stockbridp,
claims 10 feel good over the result, and am GLAD
Of fit. The satisfaction IN mutual, for ! ASSURE
yon that Redinpton and are more than pleased
Had they passed the bin without the Geouur
amendment (that confirms all homestead titles
the settlers wonld have been left nc the mercy o
al the legal processes that the cash entrymeI
might choose 90 make. butnow the whole matte
- changed. After Sawyer and stockbrdgc sub
NIT the bin 20 the inspection Of their attorney
they win hire couple Of cheap boys 60 go al
some quiet alley aud club them I tell yol
Palmer has knocked them both stln They hav
no, oniy failed tn score one single point but the
have actually lost what we conceded % them a
the start. Had they kept clear Of the canalcom
pany they would have secured something forth