Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-12-11

controversy to arbitration. The provis
ions of the treaty are so eminentl,
just and fair that the assent of vene
zuela thereto may confidently be antici
pated.
Negotiations for treaty of genera
arbitration for all differences between
Great Britain and the United States are
far advanced, and promise to reach
successful contamination at an early
date.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Our public lands originally amount
ing to 100000, 900 acres, have been Sc
reduced that only about 100000, ooc
acaes still remain in government con-
troll, excluding Alaska. The balance,
being BY far the most valuable portion,
has been given away to settlers to new
states and to railroads or sold at a COM
paratively nominal sum.
The patenting of land in execution of
railroad grants has progressed rapidly
during the year, and since the 4th day
of March, 1893, about 100000 acres,
have thus been conveyed to these cor.
poratiohs, l agree with the secretary
taat the remainder of our public lands
should be more carefully dealt with and
their alienation guarded by better
economy and greater prudence.
The commission appointed from the
membership of the National Academy
of Sciences, provided for by an act of
congrLs IS to formulate plans for a ma
tional forestry system will, 1t is hoped,
soon b. prepared to present the result of
thorough and intelligent examination of
this important subject.
THE AsPHALTUM BEDS.
1t appears that a very valuable de-
post OF gilsonite or asphaltum has been
found on the reservation In Utah. occu-
pied by the Uncompahgre Indians.
Every consideration of care for the
public interest and every sensible bust
ness reason dictate such management or
disposal of this important source of
public revenue as will except 1t from the
general rules and incidents attending
the ordinary disposition of public lands
and secure to the government fair
share at least of its advantages in place
of its transfer for a nominal sum to in.
terested individuals.
PACIFIC ROADS DEBT.
The secretary calls attention to the
public interests involved In an adjust
ment of the obligations of the Pacific
railroads to the government. l deem 1t
a be m important duty to especially
uFms ahl al a. Aba eaMsiisEaai0n Of.
b ssednh
. 0Alz aaEy j, EE9c Hiih me amount
already matured, more thmn Sys, ooeppe
of the principal of the subsidy bonds IS
sued by the United States in aid of the
construction of the Union Pacific rail-
way, including its Kansas line, and more
than 100000 of like bonds issued in
aid OF the Central Pacific railroad, in
Guiding those issued to the Southern Pa.
cific Railroad company, will have fallen
due and been paid, or must, on that day
be paid by the government. Without
any reference to the application of the
sinking fund now In the treasury, this
will create such default on the part of
these companies &c &c government as
will give 1t the right to at ocee institute
proceedings TO forecIose its mo. age
lien. In addition to this indebtedness 1t
will be due January I, 1897, there will
mature between that date and January
1, 1899, the remaining principal of such
subsidy bonds, which must also be met
the government. These amount to
more than Sac, 900 on account of the
Union Pacific lines, and exceed S7I ,ooo,-
600 on account of the Central Pacific
lines.
The situation of these roads and the
condition of their! Indebtedness to the
government have been fully set forth in
the reports of various committees to the
present and prior congresses; and as
early as 1887 were thoroughly EXAM
ined by special commission appointed
pursuant.to an act of congress. The
consideration requiring an adjustment
of the governments relations to the
company's, have been clearly presented
and the conclusion reached with prac-
tical uniformity, that II these relations
are not terminated they shonId be re-
vised upon basis securing their safe
continuance.
Under a section of the act of con-
gress passed March 8, 1887, the presi-
dent Is charged with the duty, In the
event that any mortgage or other in,
cumbrance paramount to the interest
of the United States In the property of
the Pacific railroads shall exist and be
lawfully liable to be enforced, to direct
the action of the departments of treas
ury and of justice in the protection of
the interest of the United States by
redemption through judicial proceed
ings, including foreclosure of the gov
eminent liens. In view of the fact
that the congress has for a number of
yeaVs almost constantly had under con-
sheraton various plans for dealing with
the conditions existing between these
roads and the government, have thus
far felt justified In Withholding action