The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-04
Congress Will Be Asked to Gre.
ate State Reservations.
SENATOR owINes HAS A PLAN.
New Settlers Take Public Lands as
Fast as Surveyed.
Washington Can Only Secure the Domain
Granted for the Establishment of Her
Public Institutions by the Aid of
Special Laws.

take
active measures to save the land grant OF the
state of Washington BY creating one or more
reservations, the essence of which is embodied
IN Dill to be presented by the Washington dele
cation in congress, was unanimously adopted
by the Senate today.
senator owings, who is as well informed on
this important and absorbing question as any
member OF the Legislature, and who takes an
active interest in all measures pertaining to the
public domain, today made the following speech
IN support OF the memorial which explains the
pressing need OF action by congress:
More than year ago drew up memorial
emnoaying the same plan, to save the land grant
10 the state OF Washington. that is embodied in
the senate memorial now under consideration
Mess there IS legislation by congress ON this
subject this magnificent land grant OF nearly
luo,O0o acres viii turn to Dead Sea atplcs <
large population is coming to the state OF Wash
ington at the present time, and the limited
amount of public domain surveyed renders
II II impossible ,fs % under the provisions
any considerable portion OF these lands that arc
OF yaiue TO the state. IL will be observed that
nave drawn the act OF congress necessary 10 Sc
cure this grant TO the state by creating one or
more reservations. The government creates
reservations for the Indians and for military
purposes, and this is the only means by which
we can ever acquire the land grant as intended
ny congress. A year ago incurred much enmity
IN this chamber by opposing appropriations of
money, locations of public institutions and
tutions, upon which this land grant was based
knowing full well that unless we did have legis-
iatlon respecting the grant nothing would ever
ne realized Tor these institutions when estab-
lished, and would have to he paid BY voting
money out OF the treasury. which the people OF
this state are not willing To do
why IL was that our delegation I'm congress
failed to take any action in regard to this matter
is beyond my comprehension. If all the acts
that they introduced and all the acts passed
were we combined. including the appropriations,
hay hcfSft ffs ssraa-f -fafr IA
the value to this state of the securing of this
land grant 1t is Of immense importance to the
people OF the state II these reservations are
age price viii not be less than $50 per acre
70 the state. Large tracts OF timber
IAN iand could be secured ana would
sell at from go 10 so an acre, realizing ample
money to erect and put on a healty footing all
the public institutions Of the state provided for
In the granting act. and today, if the suveyor
foot OF public land in the state, and if he had q
corps OF surveyors sufficient to survey every acre
OF land in the state. in ninety days it would be
to get lands that would yield them sI5
an acre, for the reason that settlements
are far in advance OF the public survey, and are
now on much OF the public domain. The title
OF the squatter on public domain is as secure as
If he had a patent, provided he remains there
until the land is surveyed and complies with
no way by which this land grant can be secured
except by reserves on unsuryeyed land, and un-
less this is done very the land grant will be
myth and be OF no value to the state
The much-discussed wasson pilotage bill has
died an untime1y death. The House COMMITTEES
on harboFs and navigablc waters tonight agreed
to recommend its indefinite postponoment, on
motion of Captain Wasson himself The
trainers OF the bill who presented il to Captain
Wasson and enlisted his interest and support,
were induced by its opponents to request its
withdrawal, seeing that there was small hope of
securing its passage Wasson was constrained
to comply.
The House railroad committee held another
meeting tonight, but did little. One of Hutch
inson's anti-railroad bills, forfeiting the char
ters OF land grants and everything in sight, of
railroads that do not operate roads, was deemed
unconstitutional, and Hutchinson and Ander-
son OF Mason were appointed a subcommittee
TO draw substitute: kemonsfrances TO Walk
ers anti-scalpers bills are beginning TO come in
ard more are expected. The cut rate agents
have determined TO beat the measure aud will
secure remonstrances from all the principal
cities in the state.
The House had another lively tilt this morn
ing over the railroad matter. The committee
submitted its report, and Tyler attempted to
postpone consideration for week, asserting
that Anderson and himself desired to submit a
minority report and wanted time TO prepare it.
Hutchinson, Candy, Miller aud others urged
early action on the bills, and did not understand
the reason for delay. Hutchinson declared that
ii the matter were now postponed a week the
bill would reach the Senate and get back 10 the
House about three weeks after adjournment.
Miller OF Nhatcom suggested that three days
was enough before the bill was taken up. '.Be-
cause he said, railroad matters are always
fully considered and digested before action is
taken in Legislative bodies"
Milier's remark might be construed into an
occult reference TO the outside influences that
frequently shape railroad legislation-such, for
instance, as the recent issuance of annual
passes by the Northern Pacific TO a large number
OF members. Tyler and Anderson still insisted
upon time, but the House, upon roll call, set the
bills for special order at IL a. IN Friday, Febru-
AIRY 6.
A somewhat unusual occurrence in the fight
Eastern Washington is making for restrictive
legislation is the receipt by Representative
Berry OF q strong protest from the Waterville
Board OF Trade against unreasonable legislation.
The remonstrance will be presented tomorrow.
The proposition for a new appropriation OF
$4,000 for q iute bag factory at Walla Walia
occasioned protracted debate in the House to-
day. The general sentiment was favorable TO
passage of the bill, but complaint was made
that no information TO the exact purposes,
cost of construction and maintenance, and man.
ner in which money is to be expended had been
furnished. The bill was finally reeommitted.
Previous legislatures have appropriated $1,000
for the mill, none of which mas yet been used.
Extensive preparations are being made for the
state ball, which occurs at the Olympia Thurs
day night. Complimentary tickets have been
issued 10 members of the legislature and of the
press. A general invitation is extended TO the
public. which can obtain tickets from any mem.
Der OF the invitation committee.
sharpsteins bill TO take care of Metealfe's s5or
passed the House this morning. II provides
that all such moneys shall be paid into the
school fund.
morning from Dysart of Lewis. II provides for
commission TO locate the Western Washington
Normal school at some point west of the Gas
cade mountains, on some site os not less than
ten acres. which shall be donated A board oi
trusteessand courses OF study are provided tor
bill was presented this morning which ap-
proprates 81 400 for the purchase OF l,0e0 copies
OF Barton's hand book now in press. The last
legislature bought ike number and doubtless
the present legislature viii follow its example
The present road law is found TO be defective
in that provision which authorizes county com
missioners 10 call for vote 20 issue road bonds
only mt general election. sallee OF King TO
day offered bill % authorize the comm missioner:
70 submit szeh questions at special elections.
The law for hunting caribou, elk and Other
large game prevents their slaughter at any othel
time than ia December. Representative Putney
eIaiuls that their meat ts not good al this time u
wear and today introduced a bill 70 make tbs
open season september and October.
Railroad companies shall be liable 20 damages
for the killing of stock in places where thel
have failed TO fence their rights-of-way with
lawful fence, according 10 a bin passed by tb'
House today. II the railroad negleets or fall
to pay fun value within thirty days after notie'