, 1889-09-05
JUSTICE TO SETTLERS.
The Comn,issioner of the General
Land once Modiies an Obnoxious
Order,

on July IS 1882 the following letter
was sent from here with reference to the
Withdrawn townships in Stevens county.
IL was addressed by Register Adams TO
the commissioner of the general land
office, at Washington;
SiR-By your letter e. dated April
80, 1888, Your office directed this Office
to Withdraw from further entry. or
tiling twenty-five townships of land in
the northern portion of this land dis
trct The action of your office in this
matter was based upon II report of Il nlr.
H.. >. Martin, who was ut that time
serving the government as a special
agent. Mr. Martins report was,
In substance, to the effect
that the surveys of these town
ships were fraudulent and grossly de-
fective, thus rendering the plats of no
value for Official use. The plats thus
withdrawn from use had been on file for
a long time-some OF them for several
ycars--and filing and entries by settlers
had been made in accordance thercwlth,
and in Some instances patents had been
issued for lands, after the required resi-
donce under the homestead and precmp-
ton laws In many other cases persons
living within these townships had COM
piled with the law for tho required Pc
rod, and had submitted, or were about
to submit, proof in support of their
claims.
The withdrawal of the plats from Off
cial use put stop to all further action
with reference to lands within the vast
district included in Mr.. Martins con-
demnatory report, and i'll many instan-
ces this has worked hardship to set
tiers interested. A cloud has in the
meantime hovcred over all titles
have been held in annoying sus-
pense awaiting an adjustment or in
uuiry into this alleged defect in surveys.
| The prolonged delay on the part of the
government In making this inquiry and
adjustment has occasioned much dis.
content and a widespread feeling OF
mistreatnient of those who have com
piled with the law respecting their
claims, and are thus delayed in obtain
ing titles
Many difficult questions are con-
stantly presented as to what will be the
effect upon the claims described and
held under the old survey in case a new
survey should make Il radical change in
lines, and the general anxiety for early
action in this matter is constantly urged
upon this Office.
1t may be that the surveys sre as de-
fcctive as thespecial agent reported them
to be, and possibly even worse. have
made inquiry, however, of Il great many
persons acquainted with the section
| lines or corners, found in these town
| ships and have not yet met any person
other than special agent Martin who has
found any defects in the surveys.
In conformity with the urgent requests
of settlers and others interested, permit
me to again respectfully suggest that the
order Withdrawing these township plats
from use be revoked, or that the work O.
examination in the field be commenced
and carried forward rs speedily as pos
sible. Very respectfully,
J. Nj. ADAMS, Register.
In response to- the foregoing letter thu
commissioner at Washington has ad
dressed the register on the subject re
ferred TO, and has modified the order o.
withdra wal SO as to "allow all persons
who, priorto the date of the order, hat
! inaugurated claims in the several town
ships and who still continue to reside
upon their claims, to appear and com
pfete their entries by making the prope
| proof and payment .
The foregoing paragraph, which IS II
the main quotation from the commits
sioner's letter, will be good news TO man,
settlers in the townships that have beeI
SO long withdrawn. The revocation o
the withdrawal order is only partial
but the commissioner will be urged t
make further and complete revocation
of the order as soon as practicable