The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-02-02
TIDE LANDS BILL.
Outline Of the Senate Commit
tee Plan.
clARk's SCHEME eMsoDlED.


OLf1bIA, REQ. I.-IEcre y are lew sub
jects before the legislature in which greater
interests arr involved than in the methods
cs disposing OF the tide lands of the state.
Il Is altogether probable that during the
ensuing week bill viii be formulated.
agreed upon and presented to the two
houses simultaneously for their considera-
ton. The special committee Of the House.
il viii be remembered. after number Of
sittings agreed upon bill which was re-
ported to the House and referred to the
standing committee on tide lands. This
measure is elahorately drawn and contains
many excellent provisions, but from pres
ent indications It is not likely to meet with
much favor in either house.
1t asserts the states ownership cf the
lands in question, and makes elaborate
provision for their appraisal and DISPOSE
ton. ono Of its features being the division
Of the state into tide land districts. It
does not. however. contain any provisions
recognizing pre-emptive rights Of purchase
Is existing in the abutting upland owners.
Mainly for this reason, representative
Clark of Spokane. one Of the members Of
the special committee. presented = minor
ity report embodying his own individual
ideas in respect TO tho question. He now
has the sstistaction Of seeing strong pro-
liability that his ideas win be embodied in
the bill which the legislature finally cnacts
into law.
The Senate standing committee on tide
lands has been 1t work drafting bill. and
il 10 understood has practically agreed on
. measure which will be submitted on
Monday evening pext ct . meeting Of the
standing committees Of the two Houses.
This bill is substantially the Clark bill.
with few important additions. Instead
Of the commissioner of public lands being
authorized to sell the lands to applicants.
as in the Clark bill. the governor 10 to APP
point three appraisers, who are 10 serve at
. compensation of S. day for each day
actually employed.
All applications to purchase must con-
tain description Of the lands applied for
by metes and bounds. The pre-emption
rights Of purchase are given to the parties
IS provided In the Clark bill, but IL Is fur
ther provided that in case they fall to pur.
chase within the prescribed time (six
months). they are estopped by law from
further equities, and in such case the lands
are to be sold 1T public auction.
The lands are to Be appraised regardless
Of Improvements, - provided In the Clark
bill.
The owner or owners of lands abutting
or fronting on or bounded BY any bay,
harbor. etc, ore given the right for SIX
months following the fling Of appraisal to
purchase all or any part Of the lands %
owned, provided that II valuable improve
ments IN actual use for commerce or busi-
ness have been made upon such lands, the
owners Of such Improvements shall have
the exclusive right to purchase the land 20
improved for the period aforesaid.
There is the additional proviso that when
the abutting upland owner has attempted
to convey by deed to bona tide purchaser
any portion of the tide lands in front Of
his upIands. the pre-emptive right Of pur-
chase shall be construed to belong TO such
grantee TO the extent Of the tract 90 sought
TO be convened