The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-25
STATE LAND SURVEYS
Aliens Persistent Efforts on Be-
half Of Washington.
THE FIGHT FOR APPROPRIATIONS
work That VIII Result to the Benefit
Of Commonwealth and Settler Alike
-NiggardIy Policy OF Democrats.

WASHINGTON CRY. July 24-TSpecial. i
A speech recently made by Senator Allen
for an increase of the appropriation for
surveys. brings to mind some of the labor
and devotion the Washington delegation.
and particularly Senator Allen, on ac-
count of tie opportunity afforded through
the public lands committee, of which he
is a member, have given in aid of the sur
vey OF public lands generally and the state
of Washington in particular. Following
Immediately after the memorial of the Leg
islature of the state of Washington asking
large appropriations in order that the
state lands might be selected Senator
Squire introduced q bill appropriating
$4,000 for that purpose in the state OF
Washington, which was referred to the
committee on public lands, and by this
committee given in charge of Senator AL
len. Correspondence with the interior de-
partment favored liberal appropriations
generally, according to the established
policy of the government, TO be appor-
toned by the interior department to the
several states and territories, in the dis
cretion of the secretary. As result, Sem
ator Alien was authorized by the public
10 the sundrv civil bill increasing the
amount to be expended in making surveys
from 500 900 to 10000, and providing
that sos. 900 should be expended in the
states OF Washington, Oregon, Montana,
North and South Dakota. 1t further pro-
vided that for the survey of lands heavily
timbered, mountainous or covered with
dense underground in the states
of Washington and Oregon SIS
per mile for standard lines should
be allowed. the highest rate pre-
scribed in any appropriation bill. The
amendment came before the Senate and
was earnestly discussed, Senator Allen
taking an active part. The result was
Senate amendment liking the amount at
500, 600 and the rates as asked. After a
number of days in conference the Senate
committee was compelled 10 yield, and the
amount was reduced TO Si25. 900, OF which
amount $500 was allowed the state of
Washington. Learning that it was
claimed that the rates were not suffi-
GENTLY high to secure surveys, Senator
Allen early in the second session OF the
Fifty-hrst congress introduced a bill
amending the appropriation act, increas-
ing the rates of Washington and Oregon
10 $25 per mile. On The "a day of Feb
ruary he was permitted, by the committee
of public lands. to report a proposed
amendment TO the appropriation bill fix
ing the rates for the unexpended balance
a. SIS.
Great anxiety was shown by the senators
from the new states to make some pro-
vision for securing state grant lands in
their respective states. The only way that
could be devised was to place the state
lands upon the same footing with those
for actual settlers, the Senate and its pub
lie lands committee being unwilling to
close the public lands against actual bona
tide settlers. To accomplish the most that
could be done, the following provision was
inserted in the bill, which has subse-
quently been retained:
Provided. that In expanding this appropria-
ton. preference shall be given in favor of sur
veying the townships occupied in whole or In
part By actual settlers and of lands granted to
the states by an act approved February -, 1889,
etc.
Senator Allen frequently applied to the
interior department, taking the ground
that IL had the inherent right to withdraw
unsettled lands in certain cases to enable
the state to make its selections, and in the
second place il was authorized TO order the
survey of lands not settled upon as freely
as those actually settled upon in order for
the state to make its selections, and that
equal rights over surveys for other pur-
poses be given TO the state and the actual
settler, and in furtherance of his applica-
tion wrote the following letter. under date
OF March ii. 1891, TO the secretary OF the
interior:
BY the act of admission there were granted to
tho state of Washington for different public
purposes an aggregate OF lands exceeding $4,000
acres, exclusive OF those for common schools.
As yet none Of these lands have been selected
and the public domain is being absorbed by
actual settlers az rate rapid as to cause
grave apprehension that this muniticent gFaut
may prove utterly uuavaiiag and practically
worthless. Whatever is done TO secure this
munihcent donation TO the state must be done
quickly. Public feeling ana solicitude is being
aroused throughout the state on the subject and
eeusure from certain sources is being visited
upon the delegation in congress tina. something
Is not done to prevent this wrong. Section -
OF the act ot admission provides as follows:
That ali lands granted ia quantity or as in
demnity by this act shall 30 selected under the
direction OF the secretary of the interior from
the unsofSeyed, unreserved and uuappropriated
lands OF the nlted States, within the limits OF
the respective states entitled thereto. And
there shall be deducted from the number of
acres OF land donated by this act for specific OBJ
iectS 10 said states the number OF acres in each
heretofore granted by congress TO said territor-
los Tor similar objects. (See section 10 of the
set OF congress, approved February -, 1859, page
es2, volume =, United States statutes at large.l
SO, 10 meet the existing order OF things III the
staie OF Washington and enable the state 20 OBJ
tain her granted lands, the following proviso
was inserted in the statutes making appropria-
ton Tor public surveys, and also II ike provision
Tor The coming year;
Provided. that in expanding this spprop-ia-
uon. preference shal. be gwen in fsyoF OF sur
Noylug townships occupied in whole or IN patt
by actual settlers and the lands granted 70 The
states 10y the act approved February p, IS>9 anu
the acts approved July aud JutS 10, lSS9 etc.
teSe statues, hTst session, Ftity-tTst congress,
page 50
Il viii be remembered that the estimates Tor
public surveys. submitted by the interior depart
laeni was s10d.Oa, and the increase by congress
to SseA.l0o WAS fer the purpose IF enabling the
newly admitted states IL secure their respective
grants. In view ol the grant of lands by con.
Gress being followed vp by the express purpose
on its part hat the grant must lie
made eheciually, as shown in this ample
appropriation wAich i declares ~ he for the
specie purDoss OF enabling the states 10
OBTAIN teese Sisnted lands, believe that the
most hoefai Interpretation should De placed
npon the statutes to carry ous tho clearly indt-
Gated snd eeniaceut purpose OF coagle>S All
these tSnds taOs given AID whose survey Is prl-
vtded Tor sre 30 D. selected under The direction
Of the secretary q the interior" who also has
fun control % the public surveys. Tae Incl.
cents - TINS end are within tie uuquestiope.
authority Of the secretary. Therefore, I claim,
IL is the right, and may add the duty Of the
secretary. To direct his surveyor general u SIR.
ycy the unoecuped lands. And. Il lie sees IT.
either 20 call upon him or the executive % a..
state &c designate where the surveys may r.,