Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-04-13
TOO LONG NEGLECTED.
Citizens Meet and Discuss the Grant
QuestiOn-A Committee Named to
Push Its Settlement.

The inclemency of the weather last
night deferred a large crowd from as
semblng in the district court room of the
court house in response to the call issued
for citizens meeting to discuss the
status of affairs relative to the Santa Fe
grant case, soon to be tried in the Z. s.
court of private land claims. The ener
getc work of those who attended, how
ever, fully made up for any insutficiency
of numbers.
Hon. Antonio Ortiz y Salazar called
the meeting to order, explained the OBJ
ject of it and called for the nomination
of chairman. Mr.. A. Staab was elected
unanimously. He wasted no time in a
speech of acceptance, but called for the
election of secretary and interpreter.
Mr.. j. II. Crist was elected to the first
position and Mr.. Atanasio Romero to the
second.
The chair called for statement of the
grant case from those familiar with it and
Gen. Bartlett responded to the request.
He said: "The suit now pending is
very important one and is worthy of the
serious consideration of every tax payer
and citizen of Santa Fe. The stability of
the titles to the property in this city is
dependent upon its settlement. We have
court for the settlement of grant cases
after thirty years of clamoring forit.
There is more value represented IN build
ings and Improvements in the Santa Fe
grant than on any other space of ground
in the whole territory of New Mexico.
The titles must be settled and by this
land court, and the case must be present
ed in proper form before the court.
"There is 100000 worth of church
property in the city that does not pay
taxes, but whose title depends upon the
settlement of the case"
He said the matter had been argued by
the people for forty years. Surveyor
General Proudft said In 1874 that Santa
ground. He recommended this to con-
gress, but that body failed to ever take
any action in the matter.
The general gave very good explana-
ton of the case from its first presentation
to the land court down to the present day.
He dwelt upon the short space of time
the people have to act in the matter, it
being set for trial Saturday, April 81, and
of the vast amount of work to be done.
In speaking of the neglect of the case
by the present city attorney, the general
said II had supposed until yesterday
that the city attorney had looked after the
case and was already for trial. There are
translations to be made, witnesses to be
secure and important matters to be at
tended to before the city can properly
prepare its case"
The general said it was not right to ex-
pect lawyer, who earns his living by
his profession, to give his time to the case
without compensation. He thought the
city attorney had been very derelict in
the performance of his duty. He should
have told the city council that he needed
assistance or extra compensation and not
led the citizens and council to believe
that he was ready for the case to be tried
He again urged upon those present the
necessity of immediate action. He con.
cluded by suggesting that committee
consisting of three or five of the most
substantial business men in the town be
appointed to devise ways and means for
vigorously prosecuting the work.
Mr.. G. H. Gildersleeve upon being
called upon said he could add but little
to what Gen. Bartlett had said, but en-
phasized the necessity of speedy action.
He created mild sensation by stating
that the amended petition had not been
filed by the city attorney, although he
| uoS cupposod 70 hava dana so bafora
yesterday.
Mr.. Gildersleeve gave very lucid ex-
PLANTATION of the case and urged the fkop-
erty holders to attend to the matter.
Mr.. A. Staab called upon the citizens
to arise and take care of their rights and
allow no one to trample upon them. He
said the case had been grossly neglected,
and hauled the city attorney over the
Goals in the most approved fashion. He
moved that committee of seven be APP
pointed with full power to raise money,
employ counsel and do all else that is nee
essary.
Mr.. Victory opposed the motion. He
thought it was the duty of the city coun-
Gil to bear all the burden of expense at
tached to the case.
Mr.. Staab's motion was then put and
carried, and the following committee was
appointed: J. G. Schumann, Francisco
Delgado, Luciano Baca, Marcelino Garcia,
A. Staab, Antonio Ortiz y Salazar and ].
B. Lamy.
The meeting adjourned after arranging
for the committee to meet with the city
council at its special session tomorrow
night.