Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-05-01
THURSDAY, MAY l.
THE WICKHAM LAND BILL,


will pass the house is known Us the Wick
ham bill, and as this measure will in all
likelihood become law within short time,
the NEw MEXICAN herewith presents to
the people short, but correct and COM
prehensiye synopsis Of this to them most
important measure.
The bill establishes land court, to con-
sist Of one chief justice and two associate
justices. These are to hold Office during
good behavior and are to receive a salary
of 50, 900 per year. There shall he chief
clerk of the court at Washington and a
deputy at the capitals OF the states and
territories where the court is to be held
A stenographer for the court shall also be
appointed. The Z. 5. marshals OF the
several districts shall attend the court and
serve its processes.
The court shall hold one term annually
in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona,
and such extra and special terms as may
be found necessary. Within sixty days
after the appointment OF its members the
court shall meet in Washington and or
gsnize. Thirty days notice Of the hold
ing OF the term shall be given prior to
each term.
The bill provides for the appointment
OF an attorney to represent the United
States before the court and for an official
interpreter.
All testimony which has been hereto
fore lawfully and regularly received by the
several surveyors general or the commits
sioner OF the general land Office upon all
claims presented to them shall be admit
ted in evidence in all trials under this
act, when the person testllying is dead,
and the court shall give it such weight as
in its judgment it ought to have.
Persons interested in land claims de-
rived from the Spanish or Mexican gov
eminent shall present petitions setting
forth the nature OF the claims to the
lands, stating the date and form Of the
grant, concession, warrant, survey or
order under which they claim, by whom
made, the quantity of land claimed, in
whose possession, where situate, with a
map showing the boundaries, also if al
ready considered and passed upon,
whether favorable or otherwise, and pray
in such petition that the validity OF such
title or claim be inquired into and decid-
ed General rules OF procedure are pre-
scrlbed, and the court is to adopt set Of
rules. Questions of fact may be submit
ted to jurles il the court so sees fit all
subsequent proceedings shall be conduct
ed rs in courts Of equity OF the United
States. The right OF appeal to the su-
preme court OF the United States is given
either party in interest
Whenever there is final decree affirm
ing the validity of any claim given, the
clerk OF the court shall 80 certify to the
commissioner Of the general land otfire,
who shall cause the tract so confirmed to
be surveyed without 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 provisions of the act shall extend
to all town grants, colony grants, COM
munity grants, etc.
All claims OF any and all descriptions
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 title law
fully and regularly derived from the gov
eminent OF Spain or Mexico, and that the
United States are bound upon the prin-
ciples OF public law or by the provisions
of the treaty OF cession to respect and per
NIT to become complete and perfect. No
claim shall be allowed that will interfere
with or overthrow any just Indian title or
right to any land.
All mines and minerals shall remain
the property OF the United States, but
nothing shall authorize the working of
any mines on the grants by any person
except the conirmee or his assigns, until
congress shall provide by law therefor
Nothing shall affect the right OF any pri
vate person to any of the lands in ques
ton, and DEGREES Of the court shall only
be conclusive as between the United
States and all persons claiming any rights
or interests in the lands. DEGREES of con-
firmations shall only operate as a release
of title and right OF the United States to
the land confirmed.
In case it should happen that any lands
decreed to any claimants shall have
already been disposed OF by the United
States, land scrip in the proper amount
IN lieu Of such confirmed claims, for lands
within the proper state or territory
wherein the original grant is located, is to
be issued to the claimant by the commits
sioner of the general land office under
prescribed rules and regulations.
In township surveys hereafter to be
made, If it shall appear to the satisfaction OF
the deputy surveyor making the surveys,
that any person has through himself, bis
ancestors or grantors, been in actual bona
ode possession of any tract Of land not ex-
.edipp 100 acres for twenty years PEE
seeding the time of making the survey,
he deputy surveyor shall recognize and