The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-03-30

Total ............... .SOs4VV,4cO
This would leave surplus of unsatis-
fed certificates amounting TO zoos, $40
acres. III TO this be added the probable
amount of certificates to be issued be-
fore any legislative steps can be taken to
repeal the law, say at least 2 800, 900 acres,
we have q surplus of certificates over
and above the vacant domain subject to
location, of 7,50S, $40 acres.
From this surplus, however, is to be
deducted the approximate acreage OF
certificates issued and heretofore charged
against the public domain, but which
have been barred for not having been re-
turned within five years from the adop-
ton OF the constitution. This amounts
10 about SOL $40 acres on certificates Is
sued by this office, and, when deducted
from the surplus above. still leaves de-
iclency of public domain Of say 1000, 900
acres. BY comparing these figures with
the Indicated lands In the Texas Pacific
and Panhandle reserve. viz: $500 900
acres, we ind that, should the legislature
deem It best TO repeal the act reserylng
these lands, there would be q sufficient
amount 10 satisfy all existing liabilities
and leave about l 100000 acres for future
disposition.
In these estimates have taken no note
OF the vacant fragments Of $40 acres and
less In organized counties, because NO
the eserves above named be opened to
location, 1 would suggest that these frag-
ments be no longer reserved. They are,
as a rule, Of little value, and, under the
law governing the location Of alternate
certificates, they will absorb such certifi-
Gates much more rapidly than where the
land is In large bodies.
VETERAN CERTIFICATES.
Under the last act granting to the sur
viving veterans Of the Texas revolution,
or their widows, certificates for 1880 acres
each, nonresident survivors have been
excluded from the benefits OF the act.
This was done for the reason that the aci
prescribes penalties for presenting fraud
ulent CLAIMS, and as those beyond the ju-
risdlction. OF the state could not be
reached, certificates were refused. The
issuance Of certificates to another class
has been suspended for further legisla-
ton, because they fail entirely to show
any character of record evidence OF ser
vice. Their names do not appear upon
any of the muster-rolls or pay-rolls: they
received no discharges, and ne bounty
warrants ever issued to them. These
claimants can produce oral testimony OF
their services, and were doubtless In the
army but their claims are suspended. II
these claimants are to receive any bene.
fts, would respectfully suggest that
some further legislation be recommended
PUBLIC sHcooL LANDS.
From July. 1874, to November, 1879
when sales ceased under the act Of July
1874, applications had been received In
this Office for the purchase Of So 900 acrel
OF school land. OF which amount fully
twenty per cent was forfeited. From
November, 1879. to August 81, 1880, appli
cations were received for 800, $50 acres
From the last named date to March, 1881
applications have been received fol
i,3O0 900 acces.
The greater portion Of these sales have
been east OF the one hundredth meridian
for the reason that many OF the counties
west OF that line have not been appraised
or the embellishments have not been ap
proved by this office, and consequent,
the lard could not be sold.
Experience demonstrates daily the ne
eesslty for 4 change In the laws govern
Ing the sales OF these lands. The dutle
and responsibilities devolved by the pres
ent law on the commissioner OF the gen
eral land oiiice, are OF q character which
he cannot delegate TO his employees, ant
the proper discharge OF which demand
attention, TO the prejudice Of duties per
tanning exclusively 20 this once.
when it Is remembered that the stat
now has nearly $1,000 sections OF thes,
lands, situated In over two hundred
counties, and that OF this vast amount I
little over 800 sections have been applied
for, and thar these insignincanf sale
state the keeping Of nearly eight thou
some idea may be formed ofths amour