East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-09-23
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This conference has been given for
solution a far more difficult problem
than ever presented to any assembly
in the history Of our state. The peo-
pie Of oregon have much at stake in
this controversy and II through your
efforts congress should be prevailed
upon to adopt such a policy, looking
towards their disposition, as will not
only make for the early settlement
OF the lands and the development of
our state, but turn a goodly sum in
TO our state treasury, you will have
performed a duty for which you will
hold their lasting gratitude.
AS was well said by our good gov
ernor in a statement given to tho
press few weeks ago this is not a
place for politics and partisanship
and we should be careful not to be
misled by schemes advanced with a
view OF personal interest or to mud
dy the waters"
There being so many conflicting in
terests involved In this land grant
controversy and 80 many contentious
and claims put forth which have a
tendency to confuse the public mind
Il is most important that this confer
ence endeavor to carefully sift tho
wheat from the chaff in order that
the facts may be presented in their
true light and be fully understood by
the public
With this thought In mind, and
before offering for your consldera-
tion suggestions as TO the disposition
OF the grant, / wish to call your at
tention TO certain statements made by
the supreme court in deciding the
case, TO analyze some OF the so-called
"moral equities which under
stand are being advanced by the rail-
road company and submit for your
information such data having A
bearing upon the lands--thelr char
acter, situation, etc.-as / have never
been able to gather from sources
which ! have deemed the most reli-
able.
There are a large number OF alleg-
ed settlers and a few actual settlers
who are opposing any movement
which is likely TO lead to the taking
over Of the grant by the federal gov
ernment or the state They hold the
belief that should the railroad COM
pany be permitted TO administer the
grant and forced TO observe the COW
enants obtained in the granting act
they will be able TO secure title to-
valuable tracts OF land and upon pay
ment OF but a nominal sum.
In view OF the fact that the court
has held that such settlers have no
rights which the company is bound
to respect they--at least bona fide
settlers-would undoubtedly stand a
better chance were they dealing with
the state or nation instead Of the
railroad. The court had this TO say
when passing upon the settler clause:
We agree with the government
that the company might choose the
actual settler and we add
might choose the time for selling"
1t says further:
THE word actual expresses a set
tlement completed, not simply con-
templated or possible"
1t should be borne in mind, there
fore that unless congress takes some
action towards resuming the admin
istration Of the grant the company
will be left free to choose the time
for making further sales and may
then choose Its own settlers.
As view the situation every bona
fide settler is opposing not only his
own and the publics interest but is
playing into the hands of the railroad
company when he opposes the taking
over OF these lands by the state or
federal government, for. If taken over
by either public opinion will force
the opening to settlement at an early