The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1896-08-08
Under New Management.

| The enormous transfer has been com
pleted and the "Northel IN Pacific Railway
company" has risen from the wreck of
the Northern Pacific Railroad company
Since the company went into the hands of
receivers several attempts- and plans for
reorganization have been made and pre1
sented for the favorable consideration of
those interested, but all have been unsuc-
cessful until those promulgated by the
pnrty headed by Edwin w. Winter were
consummated. Edwin w. Winter under tt 9
reorganization becomes president of the
entire Northern Pacific system.
Ths sale of the property of the North.
ern Pacific occurred last Saturday and
the sum for which it was bid in by the re-
organization company aggregated $l2,-
100000, that being the minimum sum
prescribed by the court for which the
road could be sold, but to this amount
will Le added several more millions of
dollars before all the property of the
company is formally transferred.
Through all the years of its existence
the Northern Pacific Railroad company
has been accommodating and painstak-
ing-ever striving to please its vast army
of patrons-endeavorin to be reason
able and furnish a service surpassed by
no other Pacific coast line. From rail-
road standpoint the people being depend
ents of the Northern Pacific have no cea
sons for complaint. True, since the
financial embarrassment of the company
they have been negligent in the paying of
taxes assessed against their lands. But
now that it has been recognized and is to
be conducted on business principles it is
hoped by all that the company will see fit
to place themselves Alright, avoid liti.a
tion, pay their taxes and secure the con.
fidence OF their patrons and all con-
cerned.
Here in Mel can as we'll ae in the great
majority of the counties in the state in
which the company's land grant exsends,
the paying of taxes have been ignored
during the past three years. Attempts to
compel the payment of these taxes, on
the part Of Representatives of the county
have been fruitless. OF course the lands
have been advertised and sold at tax sale,
and the law prescribing the course to be
pursued in case of delinq uency in the
payment of taxes adhered to, but az there
have been no bidders of late the property
has reverted TO the state and the county
has in no way been benefited. As con-
sequence an additional burden has fallen
or those who pay taxes, or the debt o.
the county has necessarily increased pro-
portionately. This Is not as it should be.
OF course. the company has heretofore
claimed that the lands are not taxable
from the mere fact that they have not as
yet filed their acceptance of the same
with the Interior Department, not having
honored the surveying fees. together with
number Of other technicalities, in refer.
en.e to the indemnity grant. But as to
the original grant there can be no
doubt, and the fact that the lands
have been set apart by act of congress
subject to tho Northern Pacific co1npany's
disposal. and the company's acceptance
of that privilege having been manifested
through the disposal at their instigation
of part Of the grant. aud further
A So : ~. y