Tombstone epitaph., 1890-05-10
The Wickham Land Bill.

reported favorably in both houses
 The bill as it will pass the house is
 known as the Wickham bill, and as this measure will in all likelihood be
 come law within a short time, the
 New Mexican herewith presents to
 the people short, but correct and
 comprehensive synopsis of this to
 them most important measure. The bill establishes & land court, to
 consist of one chief justice and two
 associate justices. These are to hold
 office during good behavior and are to
 receive salary of $5,000 per year.
 There shall be chief clerk of the
 court at Washington and a deputy at
 the capitals of the states and terri
 tories where the court is to be held. A
 stenOgrapher for the court shall also
 be appointed The U. S. marshals of
 the several districts shall attend the court, and serve it's processes.
 The court shall hold one term an- nually in Colorado, New Mexico and
 Arizona, and such extra and special terms as may be found necessary.
 Within sixty days after the appoint ment of its members, the court shall meet in Washington and organize. Thirty days notice of the holding of the term shall be given prior to each term.
 The bill provides for the appoint ment of an attorney to repre- ent the United States before the court and for an official interpreter.
 All testimony which has been here tofore lawfully and regularly received by the several surveyors general or the commissioner of the general land of- flee, upon all claims presented to them, shall be admitted as evidence in all trials under this act, when the per son testifying is dead, and the court shall give it such weight as in its judgment it ought to have.
 Persons interested in land claims derived from the Spanish and Mexican government shall present petitions set ting forth the nature of the claims to the lands, stating the date and form of the grant, concession, warrant, sur vey or order. under which they claim, by whom made, the quantity of land claimed, in whose possession. where situate, with map showing the boundaries, also if already considered and passed upor, whether favorable or otherwise, and pray in such petition that the validity of such title or claim be inquired into and decided. General rules of procedure are prescribed, and the court is to adopt set of rules Questions Of fact may be submitted to juries if the court so sees fit; all sub sequent proceedings shall be conduct ed as in courts of equity of the United States. The right of appeal to the supreme court of the United States is given either party in interest.
 Whenever there is a final decree af- firming the validity of any claim given, the clerk of the court shall so certify to the commissioner of the general land office, who shall cause the tract so confirmed to be surveyed delay at the cost of the United States, and when any such survey shall have been finally approved the United States shall issue patent for the claim.
 The provision of the act shall ex- tend to all town grants. colony grants, community grants, etc.
 All claims of any and all descrip- tions must be presented within three years from the taking effect of the act.
 The following provisions are estab- lished: No claim shall be allowed that shall not appear to be upon a title lawfully and regularly derived from the government of Spain and Mexico, and that the United States are bound | by the principles of public law or by the provisions of the treaty of cession ,o respect and to become complete md perfect No claim shall be al lowed that will interfere with or over throw any just Indian title or right to my land.
 All mines and minerals shall remain ,he property of the United States, but nothing shall authorize the working of any mines on the grant by any person except the cOnfirmee or his a>- 'ignees, un'il congress shall provide ,y law there'or. Nothing shall affect he right of any private pers III 10 any ,f the lands in ques ion. and decrees of confirma ions shall only operate aS | release of title, and of the United States to the land confirmed
 In case it should happen tbat any ands decreed to any claimants shall lave already been disposed of by the