The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-28
It Will Probably be Repealed and
the Land Laws Generally
Amended.
Provisions OF a Bill Agreed Upon
BY the Conferoes OF Both
Houses.
Changes in tho Desert Land Aet-Ths PTs-
empftOn LAw-LAnds In Mineral
Regions.

WASHINGTON, Feb. N.--rhc confsrees on
tho bill for tho repeal Of the timber cultufs
law and smsndatOry Of ths land laws gen
orally, have practically reached sn sgYes.
ment ON an entirely new bill, which will be
brought forward at ths nSst opportunity.
The subject matter Of the bill has for the
past two congressss boon in dispute between
the house and senate, snd for . long time
the conferees during this congress failed to
come 10 nm understanding. The bill agreed
upon will change the general land system
Of the government. The bill first repeats
the timber culture act, with reservation
in favor Of bona fide cIsims heretofore in
itiated. in computing the period Of cnItI-
vAtiOn on claims already sccruing II II pro-
yided that the time shaIl run from the date.
the entire necessary acts Of cultivation
shall be performed within proper time; the
preparation Of the land snd tho planting Of
trees shall be construed ~ acts OF cuitiva-
tion. Persons who have complied with the
provisions Of tho timber culture act for
four years may prove up their claims by
the payment Of $1.25 an acre.
The desert land act 10 amended by re-
quirinR the fling Of a map showing the pro-
shall receive patents for land under the act
unless he has expended in the work Of re-
clamation st least % per acre, 81 70 be OK
pended within each year. After four years
title may be secured by the payment Of 81
per acre.
Section 22s5. revised statutes, is amended
so that any bona Ade settler may have the
right to transfer any portion Of his claim
for right OF way for irrigation purposes ss
we'll as for church, cemetery, railroad or
school purposes.
The presumption law 10 also repealed ex-
cept ~ to claims heretofore initiated and
as to preemptions by COUNTIES under special
law. lection 22sJ is amended 80 that
persons already holding lG0 acres OF lsnd. or
who abandoned their residence on their
make homestead entry. Entries may he
suspended for the correction Of Gle troy
errors. The United States IL estoppea from
the vacation Of any patent on claims here
tofors initiated unless suit il brought
within 67s years. and on future ciasims
within six years; provided that in Colorado
Montana. North and South Dakota, Wyo-
ming and the gold and silver regions Of
Nevada and Utah it shall be sufficient DC.
fence of any prosecution for trespass to
show timber cut for agricultural, min
ing, manufacturing or domestic purposes,
and not transported out Of the state. This
provision, however, is not TO apply to rail-
roads.
Provision is made for townsite entry in
Alaska and for the acquisition there Of
lands necessary for trade or manufacturing
purposes. Towns and cities, IL il declared,
may make townsite entries on mineral
lands. but this right zbail not interfere
with the working OF underground mineral
claims. Provision IL made for grants Of
right Of way for irrigation purposes, but
sites may not contain any land
necessary for construction and maintenance
The maximum amount Of land which any
person may acquire il limited TO $50 acres.
The president IL given the right to s%t
apart and reserve in any territory forest
ands a. a public reservation, not subject to
De entered upon. This will meet the prin-
,ipnl aim Of what il known IN the Yellow
,tone park bill.