Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-12-14
Those Timber Lands Again.

Last week the STANDARD called at
tention to the policy now being pur-
sued by the receivers of the Northern
Pacific Railroad Co. in disposing of
their timber lands. The article has
been widely copied. We are not sur
ptised at this, ss the people are deeply
interested in this matter, besides it
is unjust to the State aud works a
needless hardship upon our people.
Since calling attention TO that mat.
ter in Thurston county, we have
learned that q like course in regard to
taxation and valuation is now heing
pursued in all of Western Washing
ton.
1t is the purpose now to call atten-
ton to the revival Of an outrage con-
nected with the early history of the
company and which finally became q
political issue between the Demo.
cratic and Republican parties in
Territorial days.
When the lands OF the Northern
Pacific Railroad were first placed upon
the market, the company inaugurated
q policy that caused widespread dis.
content among the settlers. Thelob-
noxiOus feature was the following
reservation in all contracts for the
purchase OF their lands:
Excepting from said described lands,
however, strip. or strips, of land ex-
tending through the same Cor so much
of such strip or strips of land as may be
within said described premises), of the
width of two hundred feet on each side
of the center line of the Northern Pacific
Railroad, and fifty feet on each side oil
the center line of any branch or other
railroad operated. leased or controlled,
or to be operated, leased or controlled,
in whole or in part by said parties of the
first part, their successor, successors or
assigns, in case the main line of the
Northern Pacific Railroad has been 10.
Gated, or the said branch or other rail.
road has been or shall be located, on OF
over, or within two hundred feet, or fifty
feet, respectively, of said described prem.
Uses. And also reserving and excepting
from said described premises so much
and such parts thereof as are known, OF
shall hereafter be ascertained, to be
mineral lands, including lands contain.
ing coal or iron and also the use, and
right and title to the use, of such surface
ground as may be necessary for mining
operations; and the right OF access to
such reserved and excepted mineral
lands, including lands containing coal OF
iron, for the purpose of exploring, de.
veloping and working the same.
When the character OF this reserva.
ton becames fully known, it excited
the just indignation of the people oil
all shades OF party belief and in every
walk of life. and being in the nature
OF public matter it inevitably drifted
into politics. As measure OF retalia-
ton, the people determined to raise
the question of y forfeiture of the
land grant, holding that the company
had not constructed the road within
the time prescribed by the granting
act. The Republicans. who were
largely in the ascendency, refused to
take part in the matter, and it be-
came leading question between the
two parties. A demand was made by
the people and many Republicans, de-
manded that the Republicans as party
should make it an issue in their
political platforms and nominate and
elect a delegate to Congress commit.
ted to forfeiture of the grant and that
the Legislature Of the Territory should