The record-union., 1893-05-04

country, since the increment of value in
its own property is dependent upon that
growth.
In the case under consideration, if the
railroad company has any interest in the
subject of preventing the State from be-
ing defrauded out of its lands, it has the
common interest it's stockholders have in
good government, in fair dealing, and in
the settlement of the State. 1t can have
no possible interest in the exercise of the
lieu; and if there is lawyer in the State
Of California who can be found to certify
over his signature that the Central Pacific
Railroad Company could under the laws
of the State become the locaters of State
lieu, we would like to know his name and
his habitation. There is no lawyer.
his reputation by making an assertion
which, if made in good faith, would dis
close his ignorance of law and his want
of common sense.
The gentlemen who have heretofore
speculated in State lieu are notified that
the only object this paper has had IN view
is the reform of the system, and they may
also take notice that it will succeed. This
effort was not entered upon in spirit of
hostility toward individuals, or malignity
toward firms of attorney, and the choice
is with them as to whether the contro-
versy shall be kept in public channels. or
whether it shall descend to vituperative
assault upon private character. What
ever shall be the course determined upon
by our adversaries, we are prepared to
meet it, and shall give ourselves no con-
Germ as to the consequences.
The one thing we shall do, however is
to pursue the reform we have set on foot
to its ultimate and triumphant conclu-
sion. The fact that the land system of the
State has been grossly mismanaged is
known to every citizen of the State. We
are constantly in receipt of expressions
of commendation and sympathy. We
are also constantly in receipt of state
ments of individuals which will be valu-
able hereafter, illustrating the method by
which dummy applications and amend
atory applications defraud the actual set
tier out of his right to acquire State lands
at the single minimum of 81 25 an acre.
The questions we have brought to pub
lie attention are:
First-Is the land policy of the State
wisely and honestly administered?
Second-Shall the 100000 acres of lieu
land to which the State will become en-
titled by reason of forest and mineral re-
servation become the property of land
rings, or shall they be availed of to give
homes to the homeless?
Third-Shall the curse of land monop-
oily, which is arresting the development
of this State, and even driving out it's
population, be further augmented through
the requirement Of title to State lands?
Fourth-Are the methods employed by
the land attorneys. and which methods
have been pursued practically in all time
in the administration of State land affairs,
lawful?
Fifth-Does the vice of the system re-
side in the statutory provisions govern
ing the alienation of title by the State, or
in the administration of the law by the
administrative officers of the State?
Sixth-Can a system be devised
whereby the actual settler, who was
given a preference right of purchase by
the provisions of the Constitution, can be
secured in the exercise of that right?
Seventh-Is it not the duty of the land
officers of the State. and of its citizens
generally, to so use the munificence of
the Government as to secure to the State
reinforcement of population and cap
ital?
These are the questions answers to
which are being sought, and we will not
be turned aside from the purpose of find
ing adequate answers thereto by any
weak device of the enemy charging upon
the railroads ulterior motives. We shall
leave the task of replying to the charges
made against the railroads in this rela-
ton to the railroads themselves. The
extirpation of the old and vicious system,
and the formation of new and better
system, is the one underlying motive OF
our advocacy, and this will become so
apparent that our complete vindication
will be found in the result which is
inevitable
THE Social Economist holds that "war
is no more necessary for nations than is