The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-08-28

Lrooxrraa. August 24 1858.

ID.
Iished in your last issue an item about
the reputed violations ofthe rules of the
General Land Office by the Register at Le-
compton. You. justly perhaps, express
doubts as to the truth of the reports that
have gained currency throughout the
land district of such infraction. I say
that the doubts are just, because the pre-
sumption that an officer clothed wtihthat
trust would act in strict obedience to the
law, and the equally binding rules of the
Department, is strong and not to be des-
troysd by anything but the most conyinc-
ing proof. From my own knowledge, and
from the presentations of truthful and
reliable men, do not hesitate to assert
and publish that the rule of the Depart
ment to which you particularly refer, has
been, on the part of the Register, since
the separation of the Registers and Re-
ceiver's offices, the subject of systematic
violation. The people at large should un.
derstand by this time, that making
proof papers is expressly prohibited
in the subordinate land offices by the
Department. The orders issped ear.
ly in the last winter, were to the eff.
feet that proof making in the lower land
offices must be stopped. Prior to thi.
it was the universal belief of the peo.
pie of the Territory that the preparation
of proof papers was as much the peculiar
business of the Land Office, as the location
of land warrants, or the issuing of dupli.
Gates. Thousands of squatters have pre-
empted their lands and paid the addition.
al five dollars to perfect their entry, with.
out complaint, under the conviction thai
it was the law, and they, as all others
are bound to obedience thereto.
It may be truthfully said that ever
now there are comparatively few thai
know differently while the before men.
toned rule has not come to the notice Of
many. The representations of the Regis
ter to those who have been interested tc
find out, have been uniformly opposed tG
it. He has stated in my presence tha
the making of proof papers soas connected
soih his office, and that no one had an,
business to NEEDLE tbere0ith, that did not, al
a matter of right OF duty, haze access to tn,
record, and his declaration was made since
the publication of the order referred to
know that he habitualgy reiectsproof pa
pers that are made out by any one else
except his son-in-law Baker. I believe
however, that in spirit of lofty conde.
scension he receives proof papers that are
made by one other party in Lecompton
But this relaxation of has rule is under.
stood to be simply an evidence ofextrem'
forbearance, and not compliance with {
just and lawful demand.
The rule is so plain that "he that runl
may read and understand" and the course
that the Register is pursuing, is virtually
setting up his own authority, caprice or in
terest above the Government to which h,
owes his position. The pretext frequent
ly, if not universally made by the Registe
or his clerks, that papers made out BY
any one except Baker, are not correct, ha:
been SO often exploded that it is unneces
sary to consider it for moment as an ex
cuse for rejecting them. The real reason
that proofs, not bearing the official mark
are rejected, is the person by sOlsons, am
the place schere, the same are reprepared.
tits the right of the squatter, and hi
duty to consult his own interest in com
pleting the preliminaries to the entry o
| his land. He may make out his owl
proofs, and thus save all expense on thi
score, or he may employ any one that vii
it the cheapest. The kind of sharl
practice which the Register makes use Of
through the agency of member of hi
own household, to make money, is kint
of petty swindling which should be pu
down by the people. The times ar
hard, and the squatters have a hare
enough time in getting means to ente
their lands, without paying premiums 70
the good sOiH and favor of the Register.
tits to be hoped that the Department
will do something in the premises with
out delay. A public officer who habitual
ly tramples upon the rules established 70
the government of his Office, is not a Fl
servant for the people, and it is especiall.
the case when noncompliance or viola
ton of such rules or orders so materiall,
prejudice the interests of SO large por
ton of our people. SQUATTER.
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