The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1892-04-30
Public Land Surveys.

The state and government officials at
Boise have sent the following petition
10 Congress, which should be Supplement
ted by petitions from every town in the
state:
ITO the Honorable the Senate and
House Of Representatives in Congress
Assembled:
'fEe undersigned, on behalf of the
people Of the state OF Idaho, most earn
estiy protest against the appropriation
of 80 paltry sum as ssOOO for surveys
Of public lands In the United States for
the next fiscal year, as proposed in the
appropriation bill reported by the CON-
mittee on appropriations, of the house
Of representatives Of the United States.
THE state Of Idaho has lab0red under
many discouragements regarding the
survey Of public lands within her bord-
ers. Settlement of the state is very
much retarded because Of uncertainty
Ia the minds Of home seekers as to pro-
curing title to their lands.
THE appropriation of $4,000 for the
year 1880 and S35!OU for 1881 was
barely sufficient to defray expenses Of
surveys absolutely necessary TO meet
the necessities Of actual settlers In the
more thickiy settled portions of the
state. The urgent necessities of the
people Of the state call for all increase
rather than decrease in the amount
appropriated for surveys this year.
ASIDE from the amount required for
ordinary surveys. the state should re-
ceive the consideration Of congress in
this years appropriations. Under ex-
listing conditions it is impossible for the
state TO avail herself of the grants of
Land made by congress In the act of
July 3, 1880. The area Of agricultural
lands subject to selection by the state is
wholly inadequate to the satisfaction of
the grants, selections of such lands be-
ing restricted to such as are "Cnoccu-
pied, surveyed and unreserved." A very
large part of the lands OF the state is
mountainous and included in the mill
erai belt. Such are not subject to the
operation Of the grants, but are especi.
ally exempt therefrom.
Unless liberal appropriations are
made, the will Of congress as indicated
in the granting act will be defeated and
the grants rendered valueless.
Wherefore, the undersigned. while
demonstrating against the small amount
recommended 10y the said committee
on appropriations, would earnestly
pray that al least a sufficient amount
be appropriated to provide for the i'm
mediate necessities Of Of the people of
the state. At the lowest estimate.
s.5."O should be appropriated for pub
surveys in the state of Idaho alone
Even the sum mentioned above is in
adequate and would only be sufficient
to make surveys of land already settled
upon. There is, perhaps, no county in
the state SO urgently in need OF surveys
As kooienai. where the odd sections be.
long TO the railroad. Many people come
TO this county TO take up land, but
when they learn that the land is not
surveyed and that they stand even
chances of getting on railroad lands.
they turn away disappointed and either
return TO their eastern home or 60 TO
other sections of the country. and Idaho
and kootenai have been the loosers.
II the present bill becomes iaw idaho
would receive about SI5Un. of which
perhaps 81 .5n would come to this coun-
" TO do s3ono worth of surveying
which is now absolutely needed Give
his matter your immediate attention.
md we may yet loosen the cords that
bind lIollman's heart and secure a |
'ittance that would at least he worth |
Mr.. Holman may he make.
ng political capital for the democratic
'arty in the east: but the west will not
Ne greatly inspired with his course in
his matter.