The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-08
HOMESTEAD CLAIMS BILL.
HAS PASSED THE SENATE AND
NOW IN THE HOUSE.
Under II, IL Passed, Settlers Who
Paid Double Price for Entries on
subsequently Forfeited Railroad
Grants VIII he Reimbursed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE bill to re-
WASHINGTON, Feb s.--The bill to re-
pay sl.25 per acre to all pre-emptors Of
homestead claims who paid double mini
mum price for land within a railroad
grant, since forfeited. stands better
chance OF becoming law In this con-
gress than II ever has had during the
many years since It was first brought up
In order to do Justice 10 citizens of Wash
ington and Oregon.
While other public land was sold at
s1.25 per acre, all that included within
tho railroad land grants was placed at
$3.50 per acre, the theory being that the
building OF the railroad would double, at
least, the value OF such lands. But the
railroads were never built and finally
congress performed an act OF equity and
declared the grants forfeited. wherever
the railroad companies had not construct
ed lines as agreed upon. Ever since that
time an effort has been made to get con-
gress to authorize the repayment to get
tiers OF the s.25 an acre, taken from
them, really. by false pretcnses.
The price OF $3.50 an acre was charged
only for the reason that II was believed
by the government and the settlers alike
that the land was worth twice that which
was outside the limits of the railroad
grant. No railroad being built, the set
tier within the railroad limits was no
better or than the settler miles farther
away While 1t would seem that this is
:" pI"'.. % ~ ~. ., -. ,,,,th ~
s'uon ~ .spas VIZ h,onog ~.
ter opposnioh iro" 'he very nse
Refunding nils Now Pending.
At social dinner the other evening
high official Of the treasury department,
making q post-prandlal speech, 1okingly
remarked that It was rule of the treas
ury department to take In all money that
~. osyarad ana nav nothing o,,t ~ n
$50. ~ ,,s..,h,., a,.s,aas ,rh,s 80, h.rs
hesn 4 ,ose hut some ~ the settlers ont
IL ~ lana Grants ,hat hava haen forfait-
~ can ha,Siv he hIa,,sd for bel,eving ~
"a ~ i,terai,y tr,,c y
Infrodnced n Inc senate this session nv
senator Mcbride. az oregon and in the
ho,ise nv Renreaeptative Tones Senator
McBride.s bill has already passed the
senate and is now before the COMMITTEES
IN public lands Of the house. Of which
COMMITTEES Representative Jones is one
Of the principal members n will be to the
advantage OF the measure 10 have the
house committee consider the senate bill.
sec,,re favor spnes ~ npns s pss. 70
has promises OF support from eight mem
bers OF the committee.
There are eighteen members Of this COM
Iniftee; therefore the support of only two
others ~ needed to secure a majority In
lavor or the bill These. II IL believed.
vii be secured, as the merits OF the meas
ire Will appeal to every western member
when properly set forth There are three
lrdent supporters OF the measure on the
ommission--Jones, Of WASHINGTON; Moody
y Oregon; and Wilson. of idaho. These
men constitute a hard working team. WIZ
ION has had experience on the public lands
committee In a former congress. and Jones
las taken hold like an old hand. His APP
continent upon this committee was one OF
he best things that could have happened
or the state
The only difference between the bills
rnmed by Senator Mcbride and Rcpressn-
alive Jones IL that the former amends an
Existing statute. while the latter stands
~ itself. Both provide for the repayment
" the excess price only 70 the entryman
y TO his executor or administrator for
he benefit OF the estate. and both provide
nat nc cinim for any money under this act
hall bc allowed unless the same il duly
made and presented to the department OF
ne interior within two years from the
approval OF the act, II Is also provided that
HIS act shall not afect any land within
he primary limits OF any railroad land
frNut whore tho rnad n which sata .xa,,