The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-23

power he does not already possess. The
arguments presented by Senator Wilson
TO the interior department and 10 The
president VIII be considered at the cab
met meeting tomorrow. and the senator
is confident that a revocation or snspen-
sion OF the order will result.
II not. then he will accomplish the
wishes OF the people of Washington by
legislation.
In response TO a recent request of Sem
ator John l.. Wilson, Assistant Attorney
General J. III. Lionberger has given the
following opinion:
II have the honor 10 report in response
TO your request that forest reservation
created By proclamation OF the president
OF the United States may be restored 10
the public domain without an act OF con-
gress.'
On March 10 Senator Wilson wrote a
letter 10 the secretary of the interior.
making his appeal for the people OF the
state 10 have the forest reserve order
vacated. The letter Is worth publishing.
The senator says:
March Is, 1897.
ITO the Secretary OF the Interior, Wash
ington, ID. c.
''Sir: / have the honor to call your at
tention TO the fact that on February -,
1887 the president. BIZ executive order set
apart certain lands in several or the West
eTn states 10 be known as forestry reser-
vations. giving thereto various designa-
lions or titles. In the state or Washing
ton these reservations. four In number. are
as follows: Washington forest reserve.
containing 80 acres; olympic forest
reserve. containing 2lSs. 500 acres; Pacihc
and Mount Rainier forest reserve, con-
tanning ?. 23i. $40 acres and the Priest river
forest reserve. containing Gin Washington
81 760 acres, or in all about one-SiXth OF
the entire geographical area Of the state.
While these reservations are four IN
number the most important and the one
most seriously affecting the citizens OF
the state OF Washington is the So-caIled
Washington reserve. Included within Its
limits is a tract OF land siXty-six by sixty
miles in extent, embracing villages. set
Elements ranches, farms, railroads and
mining properties OF vast proportions.
While IL seems 10 have been the purpose
of the president 10 protect the rights and
interests Of those who have made loca-
tons prior to the issuance of these procIa-
nations, still IL Is very doubtful II he has
done so, and IL actual confiscation is not
possible. under the proclamations. the
rights of these people nave been placed
in such jeopardy by the costly order or
February % that the development OF
Western Washington Will, OF necessity, be
greatly retarded and thousands OF deserv-
ing laborers and miners thrown out of en-
pioyment If il is continued III force. The
late congress- during the last days of its
session, endeavored by an amendment TO
the sundry civil bill to correst, In a meas
ure, this order and alleviate the present
distressing condition of affairs. That bill
failed to become a law. and the people OF
these far Western states are now de-
pendent upon you as the adviser of the
lief.
again calling your attention to the
Washington reserve: 1t embraces two
thirds of Whatcom, one-half OF Okanogan,
one-third of Skagit and one-half or sno-
homish counties; The state OF ashlng-
ties of Whatcom and Skagit over s2u.0O
in building roads 10 assist in the develop
ment OF the mining regions, and private
ENTERPRISE has expended fully as large a.
sum II this land is TO be Withdrawn
from the public domain. these large sums
have been thrown away and the people
OF the state heavily taxed without any
compensating advantage.
The language excepting the rights OF
miners and settlers from the force OF the
order is very indefinite. ana even III IL
should ultimately accomplish its purpose,
IL would only be after long and expensive
litigation. the very fear OF which would pe
enough in a ma jority OF instances TO lead
TO the abandonment OF the enterprises IN
question no matter what their prospective
Neither /. nor the people in whose be-
half / appeal TO you, object TO the setting
apart Of lands as forest reservations, but
when II is done IL should be done with
the greatest care and after the facts ana
conditions have been carefully ascer-
taired These lands are the heritage OF
the people and they should, as such, Dc
carefully guarded, not r'Ithlessty taken
from them in such a manner as 70 carry
devastation and ruin 10 Whole cotaihuni-
ties and sections as has been done in the
present instance.
"If it is now the avowed policy OF the
United States no longer 10 hold its lands
! as a source of income and pront, they
| should be promptly turned over 10 the
| states all OF which may be safeiy trusted
TO so deal with them as Will best sainserVa
/ the interests Of their people
Il have not examined carefully the law
under which these reserva tons were es-
| tab.ished. but IL is my opinion from cur
| sorry reading OF the same that the pFesl-
| dent has the power 10 revoke or modify
I the order. IL in his wisdom ne shalt see
/ 1T 10 do this he viii confer a lasting behe-
| fit upon the people OF these states VINO At
now thoroughly aroused TO sense or the
Disaster that has come upon them IN
/ the state Of Washington the legislature
+ has memorialized congress, pubic meet
I ings are being he'd throughout the state,
/ commercial bodies are passing resolutions,
/ and / know OF nothing in recent years
/ that has 50 stirred the people OF the lar
4 West as the order Of February -
| What : have said of The Washington
/ reserve applies. only IN a lesser degree;
20 the other reserves Ia the state. and
/ what ! have said OF the state OF " ash'
/ ineton applies With equal force 10 ldaho'
I Montana. Wyoming. Utah ana tAltioFIila a.
/ II transmit herewith maps showing fne
/ extent OF these reserves, ana also copies
I ~ r,svgsraF,s,r articles that you may see
( what the sentiment OF the people or the
( West Is concerning this matter.
/ In s>ouc}uss on. let me express the nope
/ that you via give 10 this matter your
( early and favorable atter ton. and that
/ the president may give TO these people the
I RELIEF for whlch they So earnss ~ pray.
/ with the highest regard. j remain,
's'S rep ~ JOHN I. WILSON"