The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-07-28
CHAT OF THE CORRIDORS.

One Of the most celebrated cases which has
been settled for years by Congress, occurred
last week when by decisive vote the House
sent the claim of William McGarrahan to the
Court of Private Land Claims for adjudication.
McGarrahan has been claimant before Con-
gress for 25 years past, but his fight in the
courts began as far back as 1857, during which
time lie met with few temporary successes,
bat also had many long and tedious setbacks.
The claim is not yet settled. but will be within
the coming year. There is a tract of 1900
acres of land in Fresno and Monterey Counties,
Cal, known as the Panoche Land Grant, which
was obtained by one Gomez, a Mexican, from
the Mexican Governor Of California in 1874,
while California belonged to Mexico, which
was then considered worthless. The grant it.
self is not extant, as it was destroyed, but its
existence has been proved by many witnesses
When this grant had been through the courts
and its validity established, as it was supposed
McGarrahan. in 1857, bought the property
About this time prospectors discovered quick
silver on the property, and "squstted." and
were succeeded in their occupancy by the New
ldris Mining Company, who bought out their
claims. In 1859 McGarrahan secured decree
from the Supreme Court making his title valid,
but notwithstanding this the company occupy
ing the property has successfully fought any
legislation which looked to ju dicial settle
ment Of the matter. Five times according to
the report Of the Congressional Committee, has
McGarrahan's title TO the land been pro-
nounced good-frst by the Supreme Court
then by the District Court; then by Secretary
OF the Interior Smith, in the early sixties, who
ordered a patent TO be issued then by Score.
tary Of the Interior Usher, who also directed
the Issuance Of patent, and finally by Presi-
dent Lincoln, who examined the case and made
Q decision in favor Of McGarrahan 1t has
never been discovered why the two patents
ordered by Secretaries Usher and Smith were
never made out 1t is now said that the
claim is worth $5o00,ooo. and IL McGarrahan
gains his suit, which be has no doubt be will.
rs be has been trying TO get the matter before
the courts, and the company have been opposed
TO this. he win be rich man. He certainly
deserves to be for his prolonged fight
~
In the Senate last week the memory OF the
late Senator Plumb was honored by his family
in way that is without precedent in Congress
The rale invariably has heretofore been to allow
one years salary to the family Of a1Senator OIL
Representative dying during his term of Office
In some instances money has gone to people
greatly in need Of it, but in many Others it has
gone to persons enjoying good incomes aud il
no need of such gratuity from the Government
Senators and members families are the only
ones ever allowed this gratuity. Senate,
P1umb's successor, Sepstor Perkins, secured q.
matter of custom the insertion in the Gen
eral Deficiency Appropriation bill an item ap
propriating 5000 for the benefit Of the dead
Senator'S family. The matter being brought te
the attention of Mrs. Plumb she directed hel