Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-01-10
A BILL FOR MICHIGAN
IN THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE.
Michigan Congressman Get the House
Committee 10 Agree 10 Report a
Bill in Land Grant Cases.

DErEoTT, Jan. "A dispatch TO the Nslss
says: The delegation of Michigan land own
ers that is here trying 10 secure a modifca-
tion OF recent ruling Of the Secretary Of
the Interior with reference TO certain land
entries are making good progress. Messrs.
Maybury and Cutcheon have secured Speak
er Carlisle's promise to recognize them at
an early day on this subject. This morning
Messrs. Maybury and Cutcheon appeared
before the House Public Lands Committee
and made an argument in favor Of the com
mittee at once reporting the bill covering the
points involved.
1t seems that in 1862 Law was passed fX-
ing the price to be paid for public lands at
$1.25 per acre. Before that time the law
required that all public lands reopened by
the government after the withdrawal of the
grant should be through executive order, and
the land be sold at public auction. When
the law fixing the price paid for lands of this
character was passed, the department ruled
that II was no longer necessary TO dispose
of the land by public auction, as the price
could not be changed. Under this ruling
over 100000 acres In Michigan alone have
been entered by homesteaders and 9TH
ers. short time ago, however, party
IL
claiming his title to be void. as the law had
not been complied with. On an appeal to
Secretary Teller the point was sustained,
which makes all entries for the last twenty
five years practically void. Since Secretary
Tellers decision over 400 applications have
been made at the land Office at Marquette
by would-be homesteaders. The Marquette
agent has refused to issue patents, but the
cases have been appealed to Secretary Teller.
and, to be consistent with his former ruling,
he must sustain their claims. Messrs. May
bury and Cutcheon desire to relieve the sec
retary from his embarrassment.
The Public Lands Committee, after listen
ing to their arguments, decided to report the
following bill at the earliest opportunity and
ask its immediate consideration:
THAT wherever offered lands have been
heretofore withdrawn from sale or DISPOSE
tion by the United States by reason of grants
made to aid In the construction of railroads
or other works of internal improvements,
such Withdrawals having been terminated by
executive order, or by act of Congress; or
where lands have been directed to be re-
duced in price to $1.25 per acre, officers of
the Land Department have allowed en-
tries, locations or selections of the same and
have issued certificates or patents thereon
without such lands having again been pro-
claimed by the President offered at public
auction vhereon (blank) day there were no
conflicting claims on record thereto, all such
entries, locations, selections, certificates and
patents issued thereon, and all other sales at
private entry which are regular in all re-
spects except as to time, entry or amount of
purchase money paid, are hereby confirmed
and declared to be valid and legal.
THAT wherever lands gave been sold or
disposed of by officers of the Land Depart
ment, as set forth In the preceding section,
there were conflicting claims thereto on
record, the Secretary of the Interior is here
by directed and required to ascertain by
hearing before the proper district land of
fcers, in the usual manner, with full notice
to all parties interested, the facts
in regard to all such entries, locations or
selections, and all claims of any kind assert
ed to any such lands prior to said date, and
to report the testimony SO taken to Congress
at its next session, together with full state
ment of the action In his department relat-
ing thereto and his recommendation as to
what legislation, if any, is necessary in the
premises"