The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-12-11
emAMEFuLt

The late report of Secretary Noble, OF the
interior department, conveys the impress
sion that he Is honest ana straightforward,
and sincerely disposed TO do his duty. To
this extent IL Is pleasant reading. Bat by
tie facts stated. rather than in express
tctms il conveys til impression that in at
least one important particular congress--or
large portion OF ig---has nos been homes
and straightforward. but decidedly treaeh-
erons and deceitful. Ia this respect the
report Is not pleasant reading.
By an act passed in 1855 congress made
IL the duty OF the secretary Of the interior
10 adjust imsiediatsisf--t relations be-
tween the government and the railroads to
which grants Of land bad been shade by
previous acts Of congress. and I'd reinsiate
sestlers who had taken up lands selected
bg thu roads but found 10 have been un-
earned IS them.
Incident 90 the introduction, discussion
and passage Of this act, rs everybody,
especially IN the new states, win remember.
there was grand flourish Of Irumpets,
much voclferating aud gestieulating. and
Inetarhofieal frothing at the mouth. and
posinig as friends OF ''the dear people" and
foes ~ corporate aggressions. Several
cheap regulations we're made Bat IL was
froth, fustian and haInbuggery.
This honest secretary, disposed 70 do his
duty. disposed TO free these lands from the
shadow III railroad title. and disposed 20
pat the settlers in possession and give
them title appealing 10 this sham law
WHICH congressional hiatherskites have i'm
posed upon a oredulous people. finds him
self poseriess 10 so anything. On the face
81 the statute he il required 10 adjust the
matter. which. as the public was given to
understand, was to be done By ascertaining
and designating the unearned lands and
restoring them 20 settlement. But. assam-
ing that the members who favored. URGED
and passed this act with such 7retense 81
love Ter the settler, we're not all natural
born diets. they, or seme Of them, must
hsye known that this could not be dohs
without prior act of congress sorfeiting
such lands. Ihsy had been granted by an
act OF congress, or at least set apart from
the puultc domain with view 10 being
granted. and SO OF necessity appeared on
the public records, which nothing bar an
act Of the same congress could correct
Bus such act they were very careful not 10
pass Therefore the department is i'm.
potent either - declare forfeiture by the
railroads OF 10 give possession 90 settlers.
An& tlie secretary shows that the same
advantage has been given By congress to
the corporations in respect to mineral lands,
20 the manifest injury 81 tue mining In
dustgy and therefore "a the detrimsnl OK
shs Whole psOple. la al the railroad land
grants there IS a alstsaet reservation Of all
mineral lands except coal and iron. BY
express ter4us. vita The exceptions named
minerals do not pass Sith the grant. And
the secretary Is lett 10 decide whether lands
DO or do net fall within this exception
Bni on ibis questions there are gnany differ
ing oginlons and shades OK opinion. One
secretary. or commissioner, or register,
might honestly ana oonscienuousiy hold
oae. while another weuld quite as hua-
esily held a directly 4 lfseeat opinion, but
IL IL matter about walsh tae eovsrnmeut
ehreesh Is representatives shoula he
steadlsst and eaassstent To this cad ia.
dsssausai epia.oa saoald Re guided hy aaga.
its provisions q las, IL Is hard - believe
that when making 4 isg sxcepslue min
era ian3s iFou railroad grants. noi oas 81
al sAe bright statesmen voting ga the
proposition stoela have perceived The nee
essity loy a short dsanlti0n ~ wh,eh 81.
eengsve otlfcsFs could have been instructed
Is 20 what wss nskns av mineral lands q
To sesfsct thew II sach sinri8i,y Is uos
msea mere easapl aaenssfv t1an 10 iufsr
shAs shs nes.ess vas tnSeat0n&3. espe-
c5ally As sll s,.eA alstakes seem 10 work ia
iavaF - fae FEeh corporations aaa against
she p9oy sestssTs-
Bat whetaex there has been ssupjalty or
treAaAagy ia sse pass, the PTeseat ooswress
Is loht aSssusel that forfeiture sat ia
SIZE one case asst mineral san3 deamstlg.ga
ia the e&1sr. Ase gmpsfatlvely Demanded
asa s-seret&rF Naate has pat doaelns ear
q tae eaassea