Des Arc citizen., 1866-12-15
Report of Committee on State Lands.
r SENATE COMMITTEE RooM, ]

november ZU, ISO6
 Your committee on State Lands, res pectfully submit this report:
 The interest of the State requires speedy and judicious legislation on this important subject. The present system is too com plex and extensive, and ought to be, at least partially, consolidated, smplifed, and greatly restricted in its operations. The duties of the officers too, ought to be clear y defined
 1t appears that on May 9th, 1861, there remained unsold of the confirmed sramp and occrfo,ced lands of the State, ?, ,024,- 133 and 77-l00 acres, Of this amount 636 ,630 and 4S-100 acres have since been sold. There remains 1887 ,503 and 29- 100 acres yet unsold. Besides this, there are reports of selections pending before the commissioner at Washington, which will doubtless be confirmed in due time.
 The purposes and objects of the grant by Congress, have not been realized The lands have not been reclaimed, and until some change is effected, will not be- The proceeds of the sales by the present system are sufficient to defray the expenses of the officers. So it Is impossible, from the proceeds of sales, to make any further eff forts at reclamation. Only two of the State land offices, the one at Little Rock. the other at Jacksonport, have made any report of sales since the offices were reor- ganized.
 Your committee are of opinion that all the offices in the State except the two last named, ought to be abolished, conseIdat- ing the Jacksonport and Helena districts into one at Jacksonport, and all others into one at Little Rock. They recom- mend that the present system of reclama- tion, always defective-be, not only sus- pended, but entirely abolished.
 They believe that parties who entered lands from the State in good faith, after May 6, 1861, ought to be permitted to re-enter, or to perfect their said entries. The evidences of such entries, such as certificates ought to be received as evil dence of payment, and other certificates issued therefor. In this way parties may be protected in their rights. For these lands were entered and paid for, some in specie, large amount in swamp land scrip or warrants, and other large amounts with State and Confederate currency
 Your committee believe it will be well to suspend the sales of all the State lands tor two years, and until further Legislation thereon. And in the mean time, that the offices, as consolidated, be set in order That the maps and plats be corrected, fol 1t is evident that many errors exist on the present maps and plats. That books bs opened and record made, giving an ac curate and correct history of each anc every piece of land heretofore sold by the State; and that parties holding irregular and imperfect evidences of title, have time and opportunity to perfect the same.
 The State ought not to grant such title' to her citizens as will compel them to ex pensive lawsuits to adjust the same. Thi IS not only ruinous to individuals, but en genders a want of confidence in our land titles and retards immigration.
 Besides, there is but limited demand for lands now Taxes are higher than be fore the revolution, and owners are les able to pay. However, during the tim, these sales shall be suspended, actual set tiers ought to be permitted to file proc and application for pre-emption as hereto fore. This will induce, rather than retard settlement and cultivation of these lands and will remove all objections that nigh Do to the proposed suspension of sales.
 DONATION LANDS
 Your committee recommend the repea and total abolishment of existing donation laws. They recommend such Legislation as will enable the State to hold the lands once forfeited for non-payment of taxes just as other State lands, to be hereafte sold at such prices as will produce fun, for educational, or other purposes, allowin! the owner; or his heirs, within speciiet time, to redeem the same. Tho presen donation laws have been so abused ant perverted, as to produce little good bu much confusion and embarrassment il land titles.
 INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT AND oTHEl LANDS.
 Your committee have ascertained that large amount of the proceeds of the Inter nal Improvement, Common School, (l6d Sec } Saline and Seminary lands of tn State, is yet unpaid, though long sine due. And while the State ought at thi time to extend the time of payment, tn purchaser should be required to renew tn notes and pay the interest that may accu late.annually, or the lands revert to tn State. Tiey further recommend in thi connection that no interest be collected o charged on any such indebtedness iron May 9th 1861, to January lst, 1867 They ask time to prepare bill in accor dance herewith.
 HICKS, Chairman,
 Ona,a an Ntntc Inal1s.