The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1879-10-03
Paying for Government Timber.

J. A. Williamson, Commissioner of Pub
lie Lands, has issued the following circular,
showing how those who have cut Govern
ment timber may escape prosecution. The
instructions are addressed to registers and
receivers in the land offices: :ssa .
The fact having been brought to the
noticeo of the Department that many parties
who have cut railroad ties, cordwood and
logs upon the public wooded domain, are
desirous of relieving themselves of liability
to prosecution for violating the statutes re-
.ating to illegal cutting of timber. by pay
ing for the same. you are hereby authorized
and instructed to make settlement with all
persons who have trespassed upon the pub
lic timber lands in your district, prior to
the 17th of June, 1879, by cutting railroad
tles, cordwood, or logs therefrom, and who
propose to settle therefor, upon the follow
ing terms, viz: Egags g5 .H
1st. For all railroad ties, two and one
half cents per tie. 3D. For cordwood, so
cents per cord. Sd. For logs, one dollar
per 1000 feet (board measure1.
As condition precedent to such settle
ment; you will require each and every per-
son seeking the same, to submit to you q
full statement under oath, showing the
time and place where the trespass was COM
mitted, and the quantity of ties, wood or
logs by, him, or them, taken and removed
from the public lands. sGa
If q proposition is accompanied with the
statement that a portion Of the ties, wood
or logs was taken from railroad lands, you
will not allow any deduction for that reason,
exceptit be couclusively shown that all the
trespasses for which settlement is desired
were within railroad limits. You will also
make special reports of each settlement
thus made to this Office, and will also for
ward o consolidated monthly report of the
same. .at8 gi8s xTe~jse Mfads Va
The foregoing instructions do not apply
to cases where criminal or civil suits have
been instituted against the parties in inter
est. In such cases you will receive the
propositions to settle, when conforming to
the requirements above set forth, and trans
NIT them to the o. 8. District Attorney
having charge of the suits, accompanying
the reference with . copy of these instrne-
tions, and a report of facts as you may
find them; at the same time forwarding to
this Office copies OF allpapers sent to the
US. Attorney, and in your monthly con-
solidatedo statement ofscases noting those,
SO REFERRED Nor are they to be construed
as conflicting with the provisions of the act
authorizing the citizens of Colorado, Ne
'vada, and the Territories to fell and re-.
move timber on the public domain for min
ing and domestic purposes, approved June
50, 1878, IS
In cases involving q conflict of identity
as to the proper party or parties to pay the
stumpage rates. and in all cases Of illegal
cutting of logs, ties or wood upon govern
ment lands, you viii seize the same and
hold the property until the stump rates
above announced are paid.
Z In all cases where there are costs Of
watching over and caring for the property,
they must bs ens braced in the settlement
and ,iquidated By those seeking It.
Yon are further instructed TO report,
with 40 much detail as practicable, any and
all trespassas upon timber lands, committed
after the t7th Of June, 1879, that may
come to your knowledge, in order that
criminal proceedings may be instituted to
punish the parties guilty Of such trespasses.