The Unearned Empire of the Northern Pacific
Citizens and county commissioners clash with the Northern Pacific Railroad over land grants and tax evasion in Lewis County.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Next Monday, the sheriff will sell at public outcry all the right, title, and interest in all the Northern Pacific Railroad Company's lands in this county, as well as the company's railroad track and roadbed. This property is to be sold for taxes due this county. While this action of the County Commissioners may not be the means of bringing the company to time, it is sincerely hoped that such will be the case. This greedy monopoly, after getting a vast empire donated to it, which at the government price would build three such roads, refuses to pay its just taxes, and yet asks the law to protect its property. Oh, ye criers of what great things this hungry monopoly has done, and also of how it keeps its promises, come forward and tell us of one. Twenty years since it received its land, and still it is asking for an extension of time. Forfeit every acre of unearned land, Congressmen, and Heaven will smile upon you. Sell every acre of railroad land in Lewis County, Commissioners, and the Supreme Court will back you.
“This greedy monopoly, after getting a vast empire donated to it... refuses to pay its just taxes, and yet asks the law to protect its property.”
The tension between railroad expansion and public taxation remains a core feature of the Pacific Northwest. Today, this legacy persists in debates over public subsidies for private transit development and the massive land-holding footprint of legacy infrastructure giants.
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