The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-09-29

Fraudulent Entries Responsibility ~
Sefffers~Enorfs If Lind de-
Parfmeaf "a Prcrrnf.

Almost ever since the the passage Of
the presumption law, the first Congress
sional enactment intended to protect the
poor man against the rich purchaser,
and TO secure homes for actual settlers,
complaints have been rife respecting
fraudulent land entries.
The homestead, timber-culturc, desert I
land. and other laws have afforded addi-
tional opportunities, for the preparation
Of frauds which have not been allowed 70
pass unused.
From every quarter the cry of fraud"
is heard in connection with disposals Of
the public domain. So far as fraudulent
entries under what are termed settlement
laws are concerned, the people OF every
section have the remedy in their own
hands.
The aquirement of title to public land
under fraudulent presumption, home
stead, timber-culture or desert land en-
try, is n matter OF impossibility unless
the transaction be winked at and the
perpetrators OF the fraud be aided and
Allotted by persons in the immediate
neighborhood.
Under nearly all of these laws the en-
tryman is required 60 publish notice
of his intention TO make final proof, nam
ing the time when, the place where and
the officer before whom the proof will be
submitted. II this entry has been fraud
ulenty initiated, oriiheh has not complied
with the requirements Of thestatute gov-
erning such cases, his neighbors surely
know it, and with very little trouble or
expense they can, either before or on the
day OF making final proof. enter protest
against the issuance Of patent on the
entry, which will put the government on
inquiry, and innine cases out Of ten de-
feat the attempted fraud. But il seems
that the men who are willing to put them
selves TO "A little Inconvenience for the
public good are very scarce. as few II any
protests 81 this kind are filed for the sole
purpose OF protecting the public domain
from spoliation. At least seven tenths
n the protests enterd are the result OF
spite, neighborhood quarrels, or desire
upon the part Of the protestant TO secure
the land himself
Robbery Of Uncle Sam by taking his
lands without giving ian equivalent does
not seem TO be considered by the mass OF
the people very serious offence. Men
who would fire guns, ring bells and rouse
the whole country should they detect a
thief with his hands in the national
money vault helping himself, viii, with
out concern, or smiling over the trick
that is being played, witness the conis-
sion of perjury 10y three men, and u rob
berry OF the people Go the extent OF a
qnarter Of II section OF land valued at
from $500 To 500
Men who are known 10 have perjured
themselves i'm connection with land
claims, either as a principal or witness,
80 that 100 acres or less OF land might be
stolen from the government minglc freely.
in society and are honured and respected
by their icllowncn, while the man who
steals horse from his neiehbor is, by the
same community, summerily hanged to
the first tree
The government has in it's employ
special agents whose duty il il to investi-
gate fraudulent entries, and the land
department is making every possible
effort TO suppress and prevent frauds.
Any citizen cognizant of nm attempt 10
fraudulcntly acquire title 20 land may
secure an investigation and bring the
offender TO justice, by SIMPLY reporting
the facts TO the Commissioner OF the Gen
eral Land Office. So long as they fail TO
DO So frauds will continue 10 be perpe-
trated, and the people must take the
blame. Henry y. Corr