The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-10-10
UNCLE SANS PUBLIC LAND
MILLIONS OF ACRES ARE RESTORED.
Commissioner Stockslager Reports Tint
During CleveIand's Administration 3d.
100000 Acres Have Been Recov-
cred From the Land Thieves

WASHINGTON, Oct. Is. NJ. Stockslager,
commissioner Of the general land Office, has
submitted to the secretary of the interior, his
report for the fiscal year ended June 80, 1855.
The figures show the amount of lands covered
by new entries during the year, and the gross
cash receipts have already been made public.
The report shows that during the year 6, $685.
1914 acres OF land have been conveyed from the
government either by patent, or by certifca-
ton under specific grants. 4 detailed tabular
statement shows the number of patents of each
class issued by states and territories, from
which it appears that 47,lJ0 patents have been
issued during the year. Dakota received the
largest number-16.6Si, and Kansas next
S744. This statement does not include mineral
patents, of which 1904 were issued Lands
were patented or certified 70 railroad CON-
panies TO the amount of S29,162 acres in the
states Of Arkansas, Iowa, Wisconsin and Min
nesota. Lands were certified TO the several
states under the swamp grant to the amount OF
9619 acres and under school selection SO, POS
acres.
After showing in detail the conveyance of
title to the public lands, the commissioner calls
attention 10 the accumulation of work in his
Office undisposed OF. July there were pend
ing and unpatented 23S, l56 final entries, and
3JO,953 original entries awaiting final proof
The number OF original entries made during
the year was 1854, and final proof was made
on e, 463. Railroad selections aggregating %
429,S66 acres, swamp selections to the amount
of 1850, and educational and internal inn
provements selections aggregating 1,SJOOOO
acres, were also pending.
The statement of lands restored TO the pub
lie domain during this administration is brought
down to the close of the fiscal year, aud shows
a total of So, 800 acres restored, and O60 25S
acres recommended for restoration. Surveys of
2,912,342 acres were accepted, after a careful
examination in the field by the agents of the
land Office.
1t is stated that It is impossible to obtain
bids for the survey of lands at established
rates, and IN increase of rates is urged. Ur-
gent recommendation is also made for an ap-
preparation of $4,000 to carry on the work of
surveying the public domain. The commits
sioner discusses, at some length, the necessity
for extending the public surveys. 1t is stated
that the "surveyor-general' scrip has issued on
claims in Louisiana TO the amount of 81, OBS
acres. These are claims for indemnity by rea-
son of failure in obtaining title to the full
amount OF the original grants. An amendment
OF the act OF 1913, which provides for the iSsu-
ing of this scrip, is recommended so as TO pro-
vide for the payment OF Sl.25 in money for
each acre of the original grant, which is lost to
the grantee or his heirs or assignees, instead OF
issuing certificates entitling the claimant to
locate" an equivalent amount of land else
where.
That part devoted to railroads is largely
taken up in showing the condition of work of
adjustment under the act of March 8, 1887.
The decision of Sec'y Villas. in the Guilford Mil
Ter case Is referred to, and IL is stated that there
are 1000 similar eases pending in the land Of
flee and that lands in the indemnity limits OF
the Northern Pacific, the Atlantic & Pacific
the Southern Pacific, the California & Oregon
and the Oregon d California roads, TO the ex-
tent of II $50 600 acres are affected by said de-
cision. The report says that of the 25,429 S66
acres of land covered by selections pending at
the close of the fiscal year, 2l,660Si6 acres
were selected by railroad companies, whose
roads were not completed in the time required
by their respective grants. The forfeiture of
all lands co-terminal with those parts of the
respective roads which were uncom-
pleted at the expiration OF the
time limited for their construction is recon-
mended.
The time Of the agents employed to inves-
tigate the fraudulent entries has been princi-
pally occupied in the investigation of groups
clusters of entries illegally made in the in
terest of single individuals or syndicates and
corporations who desire TO obtain title 10 the
class of work in various states and territories
are set forth at length. These entries are said
to be most of them of several years standing,
and il is asserted that this class of frauds has
been largely checked.
The timber agents have investigated depre-
datiOns on the public timber in all the states
and territories in which timber is growing or
the public lands.
That part Of the report which refers to the
work of the special agents is followed and
supplemented by reports from fifty-seven of the
local offices in all parts OF the West, called for
by the commissioner on June 8, 1888. These
reports are almost unanimous in representing
a decrease in attempts to- improperly ac-
quire the public domain.
Attention is called to the fact that no au-
thOrity of law exists for compelling the attend
ance of witnesses to testify in hearings had on
behalf of the government or in contest cases,
in proceedings before registers and receivers TO
ascertain whether entries are legal or whether
the law has been complied with. Congress is
urged to supply some legislation on the sub
ject. Legislation Is recommended for the pur-
pose of making the practice uniform as to the
officers who may take final proof in pre-emp-
ton and homestead eases. The pending pub
lie lands bill, commonly known as the "Hol-
man bill, +" is Endorsed by the commissioner.
The commissioner recommends the re-Organi-
zation of the bureau by act of congress so as
to provide for all of the necessary divisions by
law and so as 10 provide compensation for the
officials OF the bureau commensurate with the
class of services rendered.
THAT WARSAW BUFFER.