Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1888-09-05
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


It would appear to the casual readei
of decisions by the Secretary Of the Id
terror in cases Of presumption and com
muted homestead entries, that very little
regard to consistency, reason or logic il
exercised in their preparation; but to the
careful, analytical reader, it is quite EVIL
dent that the decisions are the result Of
thorough examination of the smallest de-
tails and that every circumstance con-
nected with each particular case Is care
fully weighed and has bearing upon
the conclusion reached.
In some cases the greatest clemency
appears to be shown to persons who have,
as would appear from q casual examine
ton of a proof offered, been absent from
their claims for periods OF great length,
and whose improvements are OF the most
meagre character. In others, where alb
sence from. the claims have been of short
duration and where improvements to the
value of hundreds of dollars have been
placed npon the land, the decisions seem
very harsh and to go to the limit Of the
law in the severity Of the requirements
made.
Take two such cases and examine care
fully the proof in each 1T will be found
that the intention OF the entrymen, as
evidenced by his acts and the circum-
stances in the cases respectively, to the
foundation upon which the secretary's
action rest. The intention to use the
land for the actual purposes of home
is what constitutes faithful compliance
with the spirit Of the presumption and
homestead laws, and the settler who be-
cause of poverty, sickness or other mis-
fortune is unable to place valuable inn
provements or be continuously person
ally present on his claim, may and
generally does-have more earnest de-
sire and honest intention to secure the
land for an actual home for himself and
family than the man well-to-do in the
world who, by reason Of his better finan-
cia1 circumstances, good health and
other advantages, is able to place val
liable buildings upon and cultivate ex-
tensive acres of his claim, whilo he fits
back and fsrth between some favorite re-
sort and the land covered by his entry,
as fancy dictates, having no actual bona
fide residence upon the claim, but still
being personally present thereon great
er number Of continuous days than his
(as the world sees thern) less fortunate
neighbor. One is struggling in the face
Of poverty. sickness and distress to ac-
qnire Iittfe Iand which he may call his
own, upon which his family may look as
home and cease to be wanderers upon
the face of the earth, while the other is
endeavoring TO rescue title to tract of
public land for purposes of speculation
that the fairness of his purse may become
increased. The former can do but little
in the, way Of Improvement, while the
latter knows that for every dollar he ex-
ponds upon improving his claim he will
receive three in the near future.
Tic well do are not the only class
wise attempt (oftcn successfully to ac-
qasre title to public land by mere COM
pkance. with the words of the statute
while ignoring the spirit. Tho poor and
needy often go and do likewise; some
tiaacss as private speculations and again
as tile paid agents of rich men who
profit by their unlawful practices.
II is the ferreting out Of intention and
Judging accordingly that gives TO the
secrctary's decisions an air of inconsis-
tency, and while it will be impossible to
ascertain beyond doubt in every case
THE intentions which prompt mems ac-
tions. it is fair to presume that the de-
.cisions are usually correct, never with
out reason, and where reasonable
ground for doubt appears respecting the
intention of settler, the settler always
receives the benefit thereof.
HENRY N. Corr.
Blue ribbon beer at Ammon's.
Congressman McShane of Omaha, has
been nominated by the democrats of Ne
braska for governor of that common
wealth, according to the orders received
from their national committee in New
York
A new equine disease has broken out
at Elk Point, Dakota. It somehow re-
sembles tho bottom disease. The horse
suddenly seems to lose strength, refuse
food and drink, and finally dies in terri
BILE agony.
THERE is girl in Michigan six feet nine
inches tall, and when her lover stands on
his tiptoes and pleads for kiss she st0ops
to concur.
TIE judge and the shoemaker have one
notable point in common. You don't APP
Dreciate the merits nf either until vou GOO