The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-26

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1e 1nE EDIroR: Al : public meeting
calied By the mayor and held 1t the city
hall last evening . committee Ct i've we're
npp0entsd to confer with the legislative tide
ian1s committees, in conjunction with the
city council, and recommend : line OF
policy 70 Be pursued in disposing Of the
tide lands The committee includes T. G.
NickIin, w. H. Fouts. DR.. Werden, H. b
Williams and w. l. Miller. The COM
mittee are al heavy property owners in
the city and county. The meeting. COM
Posed Of very large number OF actual
property owners OF Whatcom and vicinity,
discussed the two hills on the tide land
question now pending. House bin No. l36
introduced by the special tide lands conn
mittee. was taken rs basis Of action. and
few important changes and amendments
were recommended. substantially IS fol-
lows:
The amendment made to the bill by the
legislative committee, giving reputed own
ers OF shore lands on which they may have
paid taxes the same right of purchase as
those who hare substantial and permanent
improvements on such lands. was cut out
Of the bill. This was done because many
have for years paid small items Of taxes on
lots on the city water front, outside the
patent line. either by mistake or in the
speculative hope that they might in the
tide lands shuflie acquire special privilege
TO purchase.
Exclusive right to purchase tide land is
denied shore line and riparian owners,
jumpers or any other persons, except it
may be to permit substantial business in
situations. according to section of H. Bss
1856. thirty days preference right to pur-
chase the lands upon which they are ac-
tuaily doing business, At fair valuation.
made by the appraisers.
The county commissioners should be
appraisers. because more likely TO feel the
responsibility of their work than q COM
mission of strangers, who cannot be held
responsible so readily.
The tide lands should be sold as soon as
possible to the highest bidder. by lots of
the smallest subdivision. separately, to
stimulate diversity OF purchasers, and the
payments should be made on easy terms.
Appeal may be taken from the appraisals
Jury in court. This is absolutely necessary
as check against possible collision or cor
ruption.
StrOnx leeHnR was expressed against
giving tide fat jumpers any preference
whatever who have simply driven stakes or
piles on the water front or erected shoddy
houses for the sole purpose of acquiring q
special privilege TO purchase. The sentiment
was strong that the tide lands should be
sold TO the highest bidders, with special
privileges for mono.
Twas urged at the meeting that the
shorellIne owners and jumpers have no
moro equitable rights in the tide lands
(owned by the stated than have any other
citizens within the state. The sea and
navigable waters. like the air, belong to the
people. and none should have special rights
to the exclusion of others. The fact that
the legislature contains q large number of
members who are financially interested in
the manner of disposing of the tide lands
should cause close scrutiny into anv meas
ure passed upon the subject. No men,
Der who is interested financially and per-
sonally In the matter should have the
hardIhood to vote on the question.
Whatcom county has rs many acres Of
valuable tide fats Is any other county in
the state, and. therefore, feels q keen inter-
est in the important result
r. G. NrcxxIN