The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-02-04
From TIE FAB WEST.
Veterans Fear the Northern Pacific Railway Land
Grabbers.

Veterans Fear the Northern Pacific Railway Land.
Grabbers.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The veterans
of the Northwest are watching the lay Of the
land at the National Capital Just now with in
tense and unusual interest.
Perhaps the old soldiers Of the far East are
more interested in pension legislation than We
of the far West but in homestead laws our
hopes are principally conferred. The younger
members Of the Grand Army mainly peOpled
the wilds of this continent after the war leaV-
ing their old and infiFm comrades to pass their
days among their kith aud kin Of the older
States. Here in Washington State, as in all the
States aud Territories from Lake Superior to
the Pacific coast, the veterans of the civil war
have crowded to the front in vast numbers,
eager to build homes and establish themselves
and their pOsterity by anchOring to the soil
given to them by the Government which their
valOr saved for all.
In promoting the great enterprise Of the
Northern Pacific Railway, the United States
gave an empire to that corporation, comprising
each alternate or odd section of land from Lake
Superior to Puget Sound, over 1000 miles in
length and 40 miles in width. Before the rail-
way was built, and before even the definite
location was determined, tens of thousands Of
settlers located ON odd as we'll "a even sections;
and public policy, crystalized into law, gave
the railroad the option to take lands on even
sections IN lieu OF JANUS CnuS located OY bn0
settlers.
During the last Democratic Administration
the then Secretary of the Interior, Dir. Villas,
delivered a profound opinion in what is known
the GuilfOrd Miller ease, holding that settlers
on the odd sections of land on the line Of the
Northern Pacific Railroad before the definite
location of the road, could not be sVictsd By
tho company.
This decision that company is now endeayor-
ing to have Secretary Noble reverse OF Oyerruis.
Such policy. so far-reaching in its effects as
to render homeless numberless old soldiers and
other pioneers Of these young and growing
States and Territories, would add untold mill
lions to the already groaning possessions Of the
Northern Pacific Railway Company. But 10
would also render superfuOus the holding of .
National Republican Convention at MinneapO-
lis next Spring for every State from Puget
Sound to the unsalted seas of Minnesota would
rebuke the injustice nc the polls next Fall.
tx Con gresham Voorhees, carried this State as
a Territory twice against the land grab game
of the Northern Pacific Railway by 600 ma
iority when our population was sparse, COM
pared to what it is now though the Republicans
were largely then, rs now. in the majority; and
the Democracy, with eagle eyes are waiting for
just such another opportunity 20 place Wash
ingtOn in the column Of Democratic States.
Maj. Krutz the Democratic Register Of the
u. s. Land Office in this district, being person.
ally friendly 10 President Harrison, has already
warned him of the consequences of a reversal
of the Guilford Miller case, "a herein Swallowed
FORTH and 10 is hoped that he and Secretary
Noble will not see so mOnstrOus an injustice
dOn6.-CHARLEs MILLIDGE, Co. ID, 10th N. T.,
Ellensburg, Wash.