Miners Urged to Revolt Against the Northern Pacific Land Grab

The Spokane Mining Review is calling upon the miners of the districts within the boundaries of the Northern Pacific land grant to organize and protest against the issuing of patents by the government to that corporation. The report current that it was the purpose of the railroad to secure title to all its lands is the basis of this proposed protest. After citing that there is a million acres of this land grant within the mineral-bearing belt of Washington, the Mining Review says:

'Unless the miners organize and file a protest against the grafting of these lands, they will soon pass forever into the hands of that corporation. The miners should not wait, but take immediate action to prevent such an evil, to the great damage of the mining industry. Oregon, too, may suffer from this same cause, as a strip of territory in that state comes within the limit of the N.P. grant. Every organized or unorganized mining district should be heard from. Every miner should lay his information before the proper authorities. In unorganized districts it is the duty of the miners to call a special meeting and draw resolutions, which should be signed by each miner and duly attested before a notary public, justice of the peace or attorney. As nearly as possible the townships should be described, and where not known some natural boundaries should be given.'

The greater portion of the land to which the Mining Review refers is mountainous and unsurveyed, and its character has not been determined fully by exploration. The government reserves all mineral-bearing lands, excepting coal and iron, and where the mineral character has been determined, the railroad has the right to select from the lieu lands to make up the deficiency.