Arizona weekly citizen., 1888-06-30
COPP'S LAND REVIEW,
Pesding LsEislasSea In Con Ersss-RAil- rosA Fsrfsiturs sAets--Propo.~d Chzsgss In the Pr~-emp. fun. Homsstesd and fimbsr-cultafe LAws

The land matters nov pending before Josgress ID vhica the public is most iptsrsssed, arc those relating to con- .enplsied tprfeIiarrs of railroad gran ts %nd the proposed changes ID ,bs pre- laws.
 wi,h respect to the former, bon houses 1esire to takes some klnd of action. bus . vide differences of opinion ss 10 ibe
 xteps of forfeitnres to bs declared IS entertained ey the members of the House of Representatives and Senate. ,sd is fact by ths several members of the respective bodies.
 The oenste proposes 10 forfeit only 'ush lands as lie opposite the linss of hilroads not es completed, permitting the grantees co take all land opposite lad eotsrnihors with completed DOT ions of the roads, whether the lines Eore constructed prior 10 or after the sxpiratioa of the periods prescribed by ne granting acts, for the completion of hhs same.
 Ia shs House the proposition to for eeis entire all railroad grants where the snole lInes were not construcsed within she statutory period. IS very popular.
 Tsis is an extreme messure to which he Assent of the Senate, ss now con- uisuted. will not be given, and one which, in the opinion of em ,uent law Ters, would not be sustained by the oufis. even If enacted ss . law. The 'sAson for ihis belief. is that il would bs ss attempt Co disturb vested rights. and that the govern melt having failed O declare forfeiture of grants st the '1pirsiion Of the perod fixed by law, within which the lines should be oOm- ,isted. cannot take advantage of the ashes of the grantees after having sscured she benefits which it was ex- osetsd would be derived from She grants ID short. that the grants aud their sc- !. ,.ptsnce. constitute contracts, biodiDg ihke upon both psrties-the grantee (oopsrscsorl spd the Government (prC-
 risior) by which the former undertook perform certain things within speci- led time for c oonsideration named. Chat tho grantee, having fsiIsd | per ferm his part vithia the time. risked 6 forfeiture of hls grant and the Govern nent might, al the time, have declared siorfeiiure and refused to pay the con- iderstics,
 That the Government having failed io 70 take advantage of tho f0rfeiIuIs &ause in the grant st the time the Ischss @oeured and having permitted the gran zee to e"nstruct the hne out of time. snd sving accepted the name, has oondon.d he faui, or l-ehes of th. grantee snd is -stopped from ols,rning reveIsirn of he lands by virtue of the forfeiture ssuse in tbs grsrt.
 Iaponsnt changes m the pre- enpiion :omestead and tiisoer-cul,ure laws are "stsmI lated by what ia kpovn as ihe Holman Bill aov pending before the House. In fact it con aius provisions shieh, If ca acted into las. will change, aors CT less. al existing lave relating .o ae dispossl Of pubic lands. h repesls as presumption and hmber-cnl,ure laws ird pefmi the disposal of agricultural snds ouly under tue homestesd law. in i'hlcb law Dumerous obanRrs srs psopos d. IL provides for the cl ratification of ,as public lands into clssses 10 be dselg- stsa SC ssfirultural, timber. mine,sl. essrt and reserved lands. and pr scribes ia-thods of procedure to Irocure tile 10 sch of the classes.
 The discussion of the Mills Tariff Bill ed the cOnside derstion of thr spp,orrIa- ions for the ensuing fiscal year will oc- rupy tne remainder of the present ses- -ion of Congress, and learn from the ''rominent members Of beth houses hat a railroad forfeiture bill zud the Hol- man Bill cannot pass both houses before ext winter. People interested iu ,hs and tImber-culiure laEs may rely on this information.
 HENRY \. COPE