Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-04-18
OKLAHOMA LANDS.
The Commissioner of the General Land
Office Explains the Manner of Entry-An
ImDortaut Opinion.

The Commissioner of the General Land
Office Explains the Manner of Entry-An
Important Opinion.
WASHINGTON, April 13.-The Commits
sioner of the General Land-office has
made public the following letters as be-
ing of general interest to persons contem-
plating settlement in Oklahoma:
o. N. wilson. Esq, ArkaRsas city, Kan:
GENERAL LAND-OFFICE. WASHINGTON April
12.-Sir: Your letter of the 4th inst, addressed
to the honorable Attorney General in reference
to the Oklahoma lands Which are to be opened
to settlement under act of Congress OF March
q 1889, has been forwarded by him to this office
for answer.
In reply, 1 have to state that the lands in
question are to be disposed OF to actual settlers
under the Homestead laws only. A party de-
string to become an actual settler under the
Homestead laws may initiate his claim by entry
at the district land-office, after properly exam
lining and selecting the land required, in viii h
case he is allowed six months from date OF entry
within which to establish his actual residence
on the land. Or, if he so elect, he may
initiate his claim by actual settlement on
the land, which must consist Of some
act or acts connecting himself with the par
ticular tract claimed, said act or acts to be
equivalent to an announcement of his intention
and from which the public generally may have
notice of his claim. Thereafter he is allo wed
three months within which to make his claim
OF record by entry in the district land-office.
inclose for your further information copies
of circular of January ], 1885, and April l, 1889.
Respectfully S. NJ. STOCKSLAGER,
Commissioner.
AN IMPORTANT OPINION
Hon. j. j. IegaLls, United States Senate:
WASHINGTON, April 12-Dear Sir: have the
honor to receive by reference from you and
herewith return a letter addressed to you by
Mr.. G. T. Sommers, dated at Oklahoma Station,
Indian Territory, the 29th ultlmo. In reply I
have to state that the act Of March 2, 1889, to
which Mr.. Sommers refers, provides as he
states that no one shall be permitted to enter
or acquire any right to any of the Oklahoma
lands to be disposed of Hereunder, who vio-
lates its provisions by entering upon and occu-
pying the same prior to twelve o'clock noon OF
April -, 1882 the date fixed in the Presidents s
proclamation Of March %, 1889, for the said
lands to become open to settlement The
statutes makes no exception to this provision.
I am inclined to think, however. that when a
person was already within these lands at the
date of the approval of the act by proper author
ity his presence there should not be regarded
as violation Of this provision Of the act The
primary jurisdiction to act upon applications to
enter rests with the district land officers. and
Mr. Sommers may present his application to
enter to them with proper proof Of his allega-
tion. Should they refuse to permit an entry he
may appeal from their action, which would
bring his application and proofs before this
Office for its adjudication OF the case. Respect
fully, S. NJ STOCKsLAGER,
Commissioner.