Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-07-12
The Leading Question.

| The Territorial School Board now il
session in this city, is disposing of
good many hackneyed questions, bu
that which seems to be the most diff
cult of solution is the disposal OF tn
school lands of this Territory. Thi
subject was ably discussed yesterday
and yet hardly beginning was mad'
in the matter of final and satisfacto
ry contamination.
According to the Enabling Act, III
school land can be sold for less thar
ten dollars an acre. Hence it will b,
seen that thousands OF acres of tn,
more ordinary lands must inevitabl,
remain long time the property of tn
State. 1t was shown by several speak
ers from both Eastern and Western
Washington that if the cheaper land
could be sold for no more than five
dollars an acre, or even at government
price, fund would be realized, the in
terest of which, if properly invested
would increase good deal faster
than the natural increment of the
lands. Another redeeming circum
stance would be the fact that, the
the lands once disposed of to private
owners, the State would be receiving
an annual revenue from taxation.
This is point well worth deliberate
thought. The higher grades of land
will probably likewise remain dead
property for time and unproductive
of capital, fact quite contrary to bus.
mess thrift and the principles of sound
political economy.
As to the school sections contiguous
to large and growing towns, the matter
presents altogether different aspect
Such lands will take care of them.
selves. They are to all intents and
purposes the best possible forms oil
capital, and the State need be in no
hurry about selling them. The cash
value of several of these sections is al.
ready estimated by millions of dollars
and the price is steadily advancing
Indeed, there is no use in Disgusting
the gratifying fact that the value Of
the school lands in Washington Terri.
tory far exceeds that of any other
State or Territory in the Union.
But, as stated, the absorbing question
is, "What shall be done with the school
landsi" 1t was shownsin the discus.
sion, yesterday, that valuable tim
Der is constantly being stolen
from these lands, and that to adequate.
ly protect them by "foresters," ap-
pointed for that purpose, would require
an army of men. involving a large ex-
penditure of money. The question is
surrounded by difficulties that may
we'll nigh battle and distract sound rea-
soners. Probably no subject requiring
more careful deliberation will come be.
fore the Constitutional Convention fol
adjustment, and we, already begin ia
feel deep sympathy for the commit
tee that shall be appointed to consider
it. Sound judgment would seem to
dictate that the school lands should
be gradually disposed of to meet the
growing demands of the school system
Of the Territory. When it is remem.
bered that there are about two millions
Of acres in the total number Of sections,
the magnitude of this provision for 9
grand work becomes apparent, and il
provision is made for disposal of the
agricultural lands first, to promote the
settlement and improvement of the
country and enhance the value of the
remaining sections, it will be probably
be as wise course as could be pursued.
One thought should be borne in
mind. In selling the agricultural
lands special care should be taken that
none other than bona fide settlers are
purchasers. In these transactions we
should give wide berth to willy spec
ulators. Let the lands be sold 1T q
fair price to fair-minded, law-abidine
settlers, in such quantities to each pur.
chaser as shall preclude the possibility
of speculation, and all parties con.
ccrned will be mutually benefited.