The Delta independent., 1888-01-17
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
Judge Gerry Descibes the Peculiar
Methods of Sparks.

Judge NJ. r. Gerry, of Mentrose. has
returned froln u six weeks stay at
Washington. where he went in the in
terests of settlers in Muntrose. Delta
and Mesa counties. For some months.
ar rather since the peculiar administra-
ti"n OF the defnnct Sparks. settlers
weie retarded from securing patents
and Judge Gerry proceeded to Wash
ingtUn to lubricate the whels of justice
with II millitluuns supply Of real Colo
rado .rloquence. He thinks that lie
has sncrceded, or ut least greets the
Oincial decapit;ttion of his friend Sparks
aS II talisman that will revulutionize
fhe affairs of the land department and
bring order and Justice out of the chaos
that he created. The removal of Sparks
h- says.,is heralded all over the country
as 81 blessing. and the only man who
excerpts to the unanimity witls which
the president accepted it was Mr..
Sparks. Judge Gerry. in discussing
the difficulty with which land titles
We're secured, said that when forward
ed 10 Washington by the register and
receiver they were subjected to Il cur
riculum, which not only delayed, but
Mt times resultedzin adverse reports
upon really meritorious applications
After II system of examination by
boards of examiners. boards of review.
applications finally reached William
of the General Land Office. Interior
Department, uAiled States Govern
lnent. in his little isolated apartment
In the southwest corner of the depart
inent building Here his cratic high
ness subjected each and every applica
tion to the most rigid examination. A
slip of the pen or turned letter DOOM
I'd the application to AN adverse re-
port. as an attempt to steal the public
domain, and an application for Il quar-
ter section that came out approved was
due to two causes. Il faultless penman-
ship Or satisfactory condition of Mr.
Sparks liver
10000 CONTESTED PATENTS.
Judge Gerry arrived in Washington
just as Mr.. Sparks made his exit and
lad but little opportunity to study
tile personal characteristics of the great
DDS He SAW and cunversed with Act
Ing Commissioner Stocksiaser and Sec
ret;,ry Lamar before he returned.
Judge Gerry has high opinion ot both.
He is sure that there will he Il change
for the better when the new commits
sioner is appointed. OF Mr.. Stockslager
Judge Gerry says that lie enterlains
correct views upon the subject of pub
lie lands. and would revolutioniZe The
system of Sparks and consequently
give satisfaction. But his position is
N difficult one at present. and until Il
new commissioners is appointed cannot
mike any material changes.
..Th4r@ are in the land office to-day"
said Gerry, 10000 contested land pa
. tents. and Secretary Villas will have
1000 appeals from the commissioners
dIeiaion to consider when he gets down
10 work. 1t is astonishing To learn the
Aiiscori and apparent lack of harmony
bet&e-n the late commissioners of the
land office and the he;,d of the depart
mrnt. Secretary Lamar Knew all the
time il,xt the land Office was not being
property conducted. and his action in
overriding the commissioner decisions
u evidence of his position on the land
question. He snspicioned everyone,
and was. therefore very unpopular.
De,rer Ne,Ds..