The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-11-10
EELEGRAPHIC NEWS
SENSIBLE SUGGESTIONS
Made by she Commissioners
OF the General Land Office.

Washington, 9.-The commits
sioner of the general land office, in
his annual report, makes the follow
ing interesting comments on the
subject of government timber lands.
The existing provisions Of the law
permitting citizens to fell and re-
move timber on the public lands for
mining and domestic purposes, as
found in the act Of June Sd,
1878, are, in my opinion, very
defective. The only lands from
which such cutting is author
lied are the mineral lands
which are to great extent, unde-
fined and necessarily must so re-
main. Second-large quantities of
timber are absolutely necessary for
the development of mines, while
said act authorizes theI cutting
thereon of timber for other purposes.
The purchaser of a mining claim
has as much, if not greater need, for
the timber thereon, as the agricul-
turalist; and the transportation OF
timber to the mines from distance
is very expensive. Third-the law
furnishes no relief to such as reside
at a distance from such lands. The
situation is practically this: The
settlers on lands devoid of timber
need timber for fuel and building,
etc. Very frequently they cannot
get it except from public lands. If
they cannot get it legally, still
they will take it, and when
taken solely for said purposes
under circumstances which largely
mitigate the technical legal ofenSe,
while parties who steal the public
timber for speculation and profit de-
serve severe punishment. Those who
use it solely for home purposes, under
imperative necessities as above men
toned. should have their privileges
accurately and reasonably defined.
[ deem the enactment of some law
which will accomplish this end to
be very desirable and in public in
tereSt.
Commander Mcfarland says, with
regard to private land claims, in the
territories of Arizona and New
Mexico and the state Of Colorado
Il feel disinclined, at this time, to
recommend any specific plan for the
adjustment Of said claims, whether
by a commission to be appointed
and the same provisions made as by
the act of March Sd, 1851, for the set
Element of like claims in California,
or by law enacted requiring pro-
eeedingS to be commenced directly
in the courts within certain time,
and left to the discretion Of Con-
gress. My present duty will be per-
formed when | shall have directed
attention to the pressing necessity
for some legislation which will be
adequate to the speedy ascertain
ment of just what lands these claims
embrace, and to their final
disposition within such period
as may be essential to judicial
proceedings. Colorado is already a
hourishing state, daily increasing
its population, its industries and its
wealth. New Mexico and Arizona
are becoming easily accessible by
reason of the construction of rail
roads and the mineral resources Of
both state and territories are draw
ing to them the wealth and enter
prise of large numbers OF our best
citizens. 1t is manifest, not only
that they are entitled to such legis-
lative relief as shall secure a title to
their lands at the earliest date COM
patible with due proceedings, but
that it is a matter of interest to the
whole country. The longer Con-
gress defers action in the pre-
misses, the more complicated and
greater are the difficulties which
must ultimately be met and over
come.