The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-12-11
PATENTS ISSUED.

IOtal.... IL 'o4, 1910
There can be found in the commissioners report
tables assigning these different selections to the
proper states and territories in which they are stu
ated.
The final entries made during the year covered
90SS 592 acres; the original entries s9S9, l09.44
acres and the railroad and other selections, 45l4
SOTO acres. The total amount of cash sales
mounted to sS,319, 4lO40 The number oil mai en-
tr es disposed OF during the year reached $4,000
There remained pending in the Office on thu Both
of June, 1889, 1s06lS hnai entries OF all classes OF
orig nal entries of all then pending 35 3,364
Railroad selections undispOsed Of % 444 5lGi acres
ian increase the amount pending at the begin
ming OF the year Of 40l4 So aeresl. This does not
include 3J4 92667 of Oregon wagon-road selec
tions. Swamp selections OF the various states
irg over 100000 acres were pending and edu-
cational and inter al-mprovement selections, cover
The cash receipts for the year, from all sources,
we're $685. 90l "a, decrease as compared with the
previous wear Of So sol, Do o. This decrease the
commissioner explains, was due mainly to the fall
ing OF in cash entries.
Irrigation calls for good share of the Sec
rotary attention. After reviewing the work
of Investigation so far conducted, he con-
cludes with the following recommendation:
The present statute should be supplemented by
some general law with such other provisions will
meet The different difficulties apt TO arise from any
national system Of irrigation intended.
The general subject OF irrigation will no doubt be
fully discussed by the director of the geological sur
vey his special report required by law 10 be
~
TO recommend that the attention of congress be in
vited the necessity determining at the present
SESSION whether 1t will establish permanently the
reservation OF all the irrlgaole arid region and II
so, what general laws il may deem best adapted to
regulate the supply and use of water under govern
ment control. Action, it is recommended should
be taken without delay; and the system, If prose-
cuted by the national government should be based
on con- prehensve, liberal and practica provisions.
Many of the big Arizona and New Mexico
private land claims are still pending and legis-
-, oh lyffa
in order that the treaty obligations of the
government may be carried out and the public
domain protected from inroads upon it, that
are constantly being attempted by the pre-
sentation of fraudulent claims.
In this legislation two prominent features
should be observed: ~ The importance of
terminating this class of claims; and ~ of
providing board or commission for their adju-
dcation such as shall insure full and thorough
investigation. These grants are based on very
ancient transactions and the interests of the
government as well as of bona hde claimants
require that there shall be some conclusion to
their litigation. 1t is becoming more difficult
yearly for bona fide claimants to make such
proof as should be required in support of their
claims, and also more difficult for the govern
ment to produce evidence showing the fraudu-
lent nature OF those which are baseeSS or ex.
aggerated. Provision should be made to bring
parties and witnesses before the tribunal
intruSted with the decision OF these important
questions; for, in er parte proceedings manu-
featured grossly exaggerated claims can be
easily supported by periured testimony.
ON the subject of railroad land grants, the
secretary says:
If congress intends to forfeit the lands all the
facts are before IT, The failure TO act may be well
taken as an indication the part OF the govern
that the forfeiture will not be ins sted upon.
such would be just conclusion on the part OF the
officers Of this department and these patents may
be issued upon the presumption that congress
does not intend that the forfeiture
shall he exacted, and that there is
no need of further delay. There should certainly be
found somewhere the moral courage to give the evil
dence OF title railroads it given the
divdua If il is intended that any possible forfeiture
will not be insisted upon. The obligation. however
failv rests upon congress- and ii is hoped that the
latter will IL and act without further delay
Not only the railroad cOmpani are interested In
the decision of these MATTERS but also the govern
ment in order that its business may be disposed of
the citizens, who have purchased from the company
relying upon the grant, and the settlers, who, in
antcipaiOn of the restoration Of these lands 20 the
public domain have settled upon them under the
homestead or Other laws.
approve the recommendation of the commits
soner that the Ffty-hrst congress should give some
expression Of legislative opinion, by joint resolution
or other wise TO whether not action should be
taken In the land Office seec. ions now pend NC.
As TO such portions Of land grants As are cotermin-