, 1852-12-25
Jumping Claims-Required mod
ifcation of the Oregon Land
Law-Abuses, &C.


der color Of legality, is that Of claim jump
ing generally, but more especially as occur
ring amongst young unmarried men-me-
chanics, laborers, &c, and which is Of such
frequent occurrence in Oregon-resulting
but recently in tie southern portion of the
territory, in one instance al least, most fa-
tally to all parties interested.
The immigrant coming amongst US with I
his family and stock-himself wearied, and /
his team worn out from the effects Of fatigue,
exposure and labor, incurred in their pro-
Iacted journey from the states, is glad to
find a resting place and seek rePOse at the
first convenient and eligible location at
which he may arrive; and should he find
deserted claim, desirably situated, no blame
could justly be attached to dumping - un>
der the circumstances The agricultural and
stock-growing wants and improvement of
our territory being infinitely superior to that
of priority of claim, or any other considera-
iion that could possibly be urged.
We are no apoligisl for those who retain
q nominal possession Of claims-without cul-
tiyaiion and improvement, and merely for
the sake of future gain. The evils Of spec
ulation in the public lands of the western
states has for years proved most disastrous
to their growth, and acted as an incubus up
on their rising greatness, and we would be
far from the advocacy Of ANY policy, calcu-
lated to produce similar results in Oregon.
The entire freedom of the public lands to
actual settlers, or at least government exac-
iionEestncied to barely enough TO meet the
necessary expenses for the support of land
Offices, surveys, &C, under wholesome reg
ulations, is all the consideration 10 which,
rs we conceive, government should justly
lay claim, without seeking 10 make the rev
enue arising from the sales thereof, the means
of defraying the expenses Of any other de-
Partment of government. Laws cannot be
framed to apply with too much force against
speculators, nor loo lenient in their charac-
ter with regard 10 actual settlers.
But while we most heartily depricate the
use Of the public lands as a means Of spec
ulation, the practice of "jumpingp claims
amongst young men, without families, is no
less deserving of condemnation, and not un-
frequently committed under such aggraya-
Ting circumstances, as TO justify, if possible,
the action Of vigilance committee" for
their summary and unceremonious ejectment
causing each dishonorable "jumPing
intruder 10 sign a hasty "quit claim" to
his unjust ownership. Why should such
practices prevail AT ALL amongst the young
men of northern Oregonl The country is
large, and all the unoecupied lands will not
be taken possession Of for the next Eve years,
and why should the claim and improvement
of a mechanic or laborer, who may have
abandoned it for time for the purpose Of
following his pursuit--using his utmost en-
deavors 10 provide the necessary means for
making it his future permanent location,
be "jumped7' by another, when perhaps he
is surrounded by claims equally valuable
lie is justified by technically in the land
law, 10 be sure, yet what honorable citizen
would desire 10 be the neighbor of such a
person, unless ample satisfaction should be
rendered to the injured party?
As with the close Of the coming year
will expire the present donation act, and as
but comparatively small proportion OF the
lands of northern Oregon have yet been oc-
cupied, it must be matter Of great soli-
cItude with those who design 10 emigrate
to this territory at some future time from
the states, no less than It is 10 our own citi-
zens, that the time allotted for settlement
under the provisions of the donation act BE-
extetended, and the land law so modified as
TO allow patent to issue AT ONCE to The pur-
chaser upon the payment Of required sum
into the treasury of United States land Of
fee. The land law AS 1T is, has no doubt
proved in many respects, most beneficial
and salutary TO the well-being of Oregon,
but we believe it is generally conceded that
the time has now come when a modification
of the character referred TO, is required at
the hands Of congress. Such alteration
would enable the farmer and stock grower
10 choose his election between occupancy
and the payment in money of given sum.
This would do away with all claim "jump.
ing'--it would afford the mechanic, labor.
or, &c, an opportunity to secure future
home, and in the meantime permit them TO
Inrsue their Respective arocstiOns, in scOur-