The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-07-09

OIlOtINE SAhtNAiSlO UdSNlhS aoapt uI'oh
the legality Of the entry in some other
technical particular. The general land
Office Immediately marks the case for
contest, and again it goes into the
pigeon hole for examination. Some
cases arc thus kept pending for lifc-
time, or longer"
us there any remedy for this condi-
ton of affairs?" inquired Senator Carey.
THAT is what ] am trying to ascer-
TAIN" responded the genial and cner-
getic man from Montana. st seems
to me that our rules can be amended in
some way SO as to protect the settlers
from unfair contests and give them
their titles without needless delay. 1t
has been suggested that rule be made
requiring every contestant to make afli-
dayit concerning his charges, subject to
prosecution for perjury; to require him
to deposit with the local officers enough
to pay costs Of contests, at least ten
dollars per day for attorneys fees, in
the event of his failure to prove fraud
upon the original entryman; or other
failure of compliance with law. Such a
rule it is believed would prevent all
spitework contests, and reduce the num-
Der of such cases to minimum. II
would work no hardship on the con-
testant, If he has good case; but it
would make him pay for his peculiar
pleasure If he were merely contestins
for the purpose of annoying his neigh
bor."
Hon. Thomas II. Carter, the recently.
appointed commissioner, is not unfamil-
lar with the land laws of the country;
and. having lived for more than score
Of years west of the Mississippi river,
he is in full sympathy with the pioneers
who penetrate the undulating wilder
ness toward the setting sun; and who
have made what was once known rs
the Great American desert bloom
and blossom with the fruits
Of industry, thrift and honest
toll, transforming an empire into
. modern wonder, vcritable ex
tended plain Of Esdraclon. lie has
less, tircless energy which is character.
istic of the man, which brought him
speedily to the front as leading work
ing member Of the house of representa-
tives during his brief career in the na
tional legislature. The general lane
Office is essentially work shop ant
every cmployc from the commissioner
TO the laborers and charwomen mus
needs be workers. Every township il
the entire country is intimately relate.
tn this Office. He.e are the records which
/ asw c$ hS1;<y 20 thu tttlnS IN oil nf fhf
lands originally peoplcd by the ad
vcnturcrs from European countries un
icr patents from potentatcs. Here ART
tie maps and plats Of original Location
and entry of every acre of ground which
has been taken under the homestead an,
other land laws in the territories whicl
have become states during the past tel
decades. To this bureau of the intcrio
department. all registers and receiver
Of land Offices throughout the countr
must make their reports, and from thi
office they receive orders. There ar
onc hundred and nine local land office
now in operation. In each one of thes
offices there is register and a receiver
D and there arc one hundred and eighteen
. clerks employed as assistants, MAXIM
: total of three hundred and thirty-si
: employees who seldom if ever are seen i
! Washington. There arc also three il
\ spcctors, four examiners Of survey.
T. seven examiners of swamp land:
v thirty special agents to examine fraud,
n lent entries, twenty-scvcn inspector
~ Of timber dcpredations and seven GU.
I todians OF abandoned military rcserv;
y tions; total of seventy additional Gil
7 ployes. making grand total Of fou
1 hundred and forty-four officials in III
c Geld who arc seldom If ever seen by IN
somIsissiopsr. yet all arc under his i