The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-08
THE PEOPLES LAND.
How Cleveland Has Dealt With It.
Over Eighty Million Acres of the
Public Domain Restored,
. And Over Sixty Million Acres Rec
commended To Be.
A Splendid Feather in the Cap of
the Administration.
The Week in Congress-The Tariff Bill
To Be Debated in the Senate
The House and Adjourn
ment.

WASHINGTON, Oct. Us. NJ. Stock
Slayer, commissioner OF the general land
office, has submitted TO the secretary OF the
interior his report for the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1883. The figures showing the
amount OF lands covered by new entries
during the year, and the gross cash re-
ceipts have already been made public.
The report shows that during the year
S,605, 1914 acres of land have been conveyed
from the government, either by patent or
by certi.ication under specific grants. A
detailed tabular statement shows the
number Of patents OF each class issued, by
states and territories, from which it APP
pears that AZ, $50 patents have been issued
during the year. Dakota received the
largest number, 1864, and Kansas next,
S,74i. This statement does not include
mineral patents, OF which 1904 were is
sued. Lands were patented or certified TO
railroad companies TO the amount OF
$50, 1872 acres in the States Of Arkansas,
Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Lands
were certified TO the several states under
the swamp grant 10 the amount Of 065l5
acres, and under school selections, 99,205
acres.
After showing in detail the conveyance
Of title to the public lands, the commits
sioner calls attention TO the accumulation
OF work in his Office undisposed Of. July
there were pending and unpatented 23s,-
1855 final entries and $50. 9j3 original entries
awaiting final proof. The number of orig
inal entries made during the year was
1854, and final proof was made on TO-
4GS. Railroad selections aggregating 26,-
42g, sec acres, swamp selections TO the
amount Of ISL, $50 acres and educational
and internal improvements, selections
aggregating $4,000 acres, were also
pending
The statement OF lands restored TO the
public domain during this administration
is brought down 10 the close of the fiscal
year and shows a total Of So, ljS, 800 acres
restored and Gj, 09O, SIS acres recommended
for restoration. Surveys OF 2,0j2, 5i2 acres
were accepted, after careful examination
In the field hy the agents u the land Office.
4
bids Tor the survey Of land at established
rates. aud Am increase Of rates IL urged.
Urgent recommendation Is also made for
an appropriation OF $4,000 10 carry on
tine work oi surveying the public domain.
1hecommis.ioncr discusses at some length
the necessity for extending the public
surveys.
II Is stated that the ''surveyor.general"
scrip has issued on claims in Louisiana 10
the amount Of 81 03S acres. These arc
claims for indemnity 10y reason Of failure
In obtaining title 10 the full amount Of the
original amounts An amendment OF the
act Of 1858, which provides for the Issuing
oi this scrip II recommended, ~ ~ 10
provide for the payment 81 II - In money
Tor each acre Of the original grant, which
j. lost 20 the grantee or his he N OF as.
sgnccs instead oi Issuing certificates en-.
iuing the claimant 20 locate an cquiya.
lent amount oi land elsewhere. That part
oil the report devoted TO railroads Is largely
taken mp In showing the condition Of work
OF adjustment under the act Of March 3,
1857. The decision Of Secretary Villas In
the Guiliorl.M Miller case is referred 10, ami
Il Il stated that there arr 1000 similar
cases pending IN the land office, aud that
lands In the indemnity limits ~ the North
crn Pacific. the Atlantic 4 Pacific, tho
Southern Pacific, the California x Oregon
and the Oregon aud California roads to
the cxiont oi 7.S3O, 900 acres are affected
by said division. The report says that Of
~,hc 2j,2t0S acres Of land covered
by selections penling nj the close Of the
fiscal year "a ,gD, $40 acres were selected by
railroad companies whose roads were not
completed M tie time required 10y their
respective grants. The forfeiture OF all
lands cD-tcrminous with those parts Of the
respective roads which were uncDmpctrd
At Tie expiration Of the timo limited for
their construction b. recommended. The
time ~ the agents employed 20 investigate
fraudulent entries has been principally oc-
cupiel IN ,hu investigation Of groups OF
clusters 81 entries ILLEGALLY made IN the iu.
topst II single individuals or oi syndiCatcs
and corporations who desire 10 obtain title
10 laigr bodies oi land. Illustrations Of
this class OF work, iu various states and
Territories, arr ut out at length. These
entries are said M br most ol them ~ sew.
cml ycnn- standing. and Il Is asserted that
This class Of frauds have been largely
checked. The timber agents have inycsti-
gated dcprclpii0ns on the public timber IN
an the States aud Territories In which tim.
Der Is growing on the public lands.
That part Oi the report which refers q
the work NJ The special agents IL followed
and supplemented by reports from City
sc,cn 0f the local offices m I'll parts Of thJ
West. called Tor by the commissioner on
June q. lSSs. These reports are almos
unanimous in ruprcsynliuya decrease b
attempts To- properly acquire the publ,
domain.
Attention il called 10 the fact that NJ
authority ui law exists for compelling 10,
attendance Of witnesses 10 testify IN hear
inys held ON behalf 81 the government, VI
10 contest eases. In proceedings before reg
is,cu aud receivers. 10 ascertain whcihc
entries are legal % whether the Law hu
boon complied with C0ugnN is urged &
supply some legislation on the subject
Legislation ~ recommended !sr the put
pose oi making the practice uniform ns &
Tie officers Who HAY take hnal proof II
prr ciupiion aud homestead cases.
The pending public lands bill, com
monty known IA 'thc HOLMAN bill, wa
rulofpd uy the commissioner.
Inc commissioner recommends the re
organization Of the bureau 10y act Of Con
Vrr.., ~ ~ to provide Tor al OF the ncces
ury divisions ~ law and % "a " prJyid