Arizona weekly citizen., 1888-10-20
SATURDAY. OCTOBER l3, 1888
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER SHOCK
 SIAGER

REPORT OF COMMISSIONER SHOCK
 sLAGER.
 5. NJ. SToCKsLGER, commissioner ot the general land office has submitted to the secretary of the interior report for the year ended June 30, 1888. Fig ures showing the amount of lands GOV cred by new entries during the year, and gross cash receipts already have been made public. The repors shows thRt during the year 6,6O5, ,SO6 acres of land hove been conveyed from the govern meut either by patent or by certiicstion under specific grants.
 4 detailed tabular statement shows the number of patients of each class is- sued by the states and territories, from which it appears that 4S.I50 patents have been issued during the year. Ds- kota received the largest number, 16,- 6S4, and Kansas next, S,754. This state ment does not include mineral patents of which 1,034 were issued. Lands were certified to the several states under swamp grant to 96, 5I5 acres and under school selections to 99,2O5 acree.
 After showing in detail the convey ances of title to public lands the con- missioner calls attention to the Rccu- mutation of work in his office. Undis- posed of July l there were pending and unpstented 23S,156 final entries and $50 953 original entries awaiting final proof. The number of original entries made during the year was 13.S54 and final proof was made on 70, ,i6S. Rail road selections aRgregatinR 25429,S66 acres, swamp selections to the amount of 7S1, ,857 acres and educational and internal improvements selections sPgre- gating 1,S50,000 acres are also pending. The statement of the lands restored to the pubic domain during this admin istration IS brought down to the close of the fiscal year and shows a total Of S3, 15S, ,990 acres restored and 65.020. 53S acres commended for restoration. The surveys of 2,9l2, ,342 acres were accepted after careful examination ln thsy ield-by agents of the land office.
 It is stated that it is impossible to ob- tain bids for survey of lands at estsb- lished rates, and increase of rates IS urged. Urgent recommendation IS slso made for an appropriation of 3,OOO,OOO to carry on the work of surveying the public domain. The part ot the report devoted to railroads is largely taken up in showing the condition of the work of adjustment under act Of March 8, 1887. The decision Of secretary ID the GuiItord Miller case is referred to, and It Is stated that there are 2.OOO similar cases pending in the land office. aud that lands iD indemnity on the lines of the Northern Pacific, Atlantic x Pacific, Southern Pacific. California and Oregon and Oregon and California roads to the extent of I7,S3O,0O0 acres are sf- fected by said decision.
 The report says that of ,429,o6o acres of land covered by selections pending at the close of the fiscal year, 2I,66O.S46 acres were selected by rail road companies whose roads were not completed in the time required by their respective grants. Forfeiture of all lands cotermineus with those parts Of the respective roads which were uncom- pleted at the expiration Of toe time limited for the construction is recon mended. The time of the agents em- ployed to investigate fraudulent entries has been principally occupied m ln- vestigation Of groups or clusters ot en- tries illegally Tn the interest of single individuals or of syndicates and cor porstions who desire to obtain title 70 large bodies of land. These entries are sad to be most of them of several years standing, and it is asserted that this class of frau Is has been slightly check ed.
 That part of the report which refers to work of special agents ss followed and supplemented by reports from 57 of the local offices in all parts of the west call cd for by the commissioner, June b, loSo These reports are almost unanimously in representing 6 decrease ID the at tempts to improperly acquire public lands. Attention is called to the fact ihst DO authority of la" exists for com pellipp the attendance of witnessest to testify m hearings had on behalf of the government or ID the contes: cases In proceedings before registers and receiv- CTS to ascertain whether entries are le- gal or whether the law has been compli- ed with. Congress IS urged to supply some Legislation on the subject, Legis- lstion is recommended for the purpose of making the practice uniform as to officers who may take final proof in pre- emption and homestead csses- The pending public lands bill. commonly known as ''the Holman bill" IS endorsed by the commissioner.
 The commissioner recommended the reorganization of the bureau by an sct of congress so as to provide for all or the necessary divisions by law, snd also to provide compensation for the officials of the bureau commensurate with the class of services rendered.