Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1885 — The Big Land Steal. [ARTICLE]

The Big Land Steal.

Senator Van Wyck opened up his batteries yesterday on the recent big land steal of Louisianu lauds. He denounced it as ‘ infamous,’and it was a matter Of sincere regret that the last act of the administration should have been performed at the dictation and in .th 6 interest of corporate wealth- Take a sample o! this Republican’s denunei ation of the latest swindle of his party representataves: What right had the President aod Cabniet to waive broken conditions? That power was vested in Gongress alone But why this haste? Why should the clerks work nights and insult the religous element of the N&lion by working on Sunday? What is the necessity, public or otherwise? This Republic was not to perish on the 4th of March. Itsconiinutity was not to be disturbed by changing the executive. There was to be no suspension of powers and duties. AH other business in the Interior Depaptmort was concluded b> March 4th. Did.other excutive departments work their forces nights and Sunday so that the new ndmistration might start with only new business? The people should asu why this haste.? Was it dangeriais to trust the repsentatives of the people in the next congress? was it dangerous to trust the incoming! administration to do justice to the men claiming this grant? Was there danger' that the rights of settlers on thoes land-: would be recognized and the publicdomain protected by the encoming administration? If ho then it evidently: had been installed to soon. He desired to give public notice that the legality of the patents wou d be contested, so that the purchasers of the bonds now to be issued might not claim the protection accorded innocent purchasers without notice.