Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-08-25
CARRIERS LAST REPORT
hOltana'S FaV0rite Son Tells Of Genera
Land Affairs.
HIS LIBERAL AND JUST POLICY.

The annual report to the secretary
of the interior OF the operations OF the
general land office for the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1892, has been made
public.
"a careful reading OF this report"
says Commissioner Carter, "wili
demonstrate that the liberal and just
policy toward the settlers upon the
public domain adopted by Secretary
Noble at the beginning OF his admins
tration has been productive OF very
satisfactory and beneficial results. l
felt justified in predicting in my
annual report OF last year that with
the force then at my command the
business of this bureau would be
brought up abreast with current work
by the end OF the fiscal year just
closed. 1t is gratifying to me now to
be able to report to you that literal
fulfillment OF that prediction has been
fully consummated. In order that the
magnitude OF the work done during
he last fiscal year may readily be
comprehended and the results accom-
plished fully appreciated, l feel war
ranted in referring to and discussing
briefly the policy that governed and
controlled the business of this office
under the last administration from
$50 to 1883.
SPARKS NOT FORGOTTEN.
Commissioner Sparks, in his an
nual report for the year ended June
30, 1855, said: AT the outset of my
administration | was confronted with
the overwhelming evidence that the
public domain was being made prey
OF INSCRIPTIONS speculation and the
worst forms OF land monopoly through
systematic fraud carried on and con
summated under the public land laws
| He further stated in the same report,
i'll discussing the subject OF commuted
| homestead, that the proportion OF
fraudulent entries of this kind could
be more nearly estimated at the whole
number OF such entries than III any
other manner; that the average pro
portion OF fraudulent pre-emptlon
filings to the total number OF filings
made and relinquished should be esti-
mated in round numbers at exactly
/ 90 per cent, and that 9Oper cent. of
all timber culture entries were
! fraudulent Having become imhued
with the idea that nearly all, or al
least u very large proportion oil the
entries made upon the public domain
were fraudulent, and that the great
body of well disposed settlers were un-
scrupulous spectators, 1t Is not sur
I.ising that Commissioner Sparks OH
April 8, 1855, issued an order sus-
pending action on all entries Except
on certain script locations and onp prl-
vate cash entries) in tine whole ofColo-
RADIO, except in the Ute reservation,
and in all of Dakota, Idaho, Utah,
| Washingt on, New Mexico, Montana
and Wyoming, and portions OF Kan
sas, Nebraska and Minnesota.
THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT
of this and other sweeping orders, and
of t he mistaken impression and policy
which prompted them, upon the bust
ness OF this office, was very great, and
as u consequence this administration,
on assuming the reins OF government
in 1883, was confronted by land
Office greatly demoralized in all It's
ramiiications. Injustice, or II denial
| of Justice, under the machinery OF the
law, was its dominant feature. The
settler who had honestly and laborl-
ously and at much hazard and heavy
expense complied in good faith with
all the requirements OF the laws, out
RACED and indignant at the multi
piled indignities inflicted upon him by
maladminIstration, demanded pat
ent, IL title to the land he had, by set
Element, cultivation and compliance
with the law, fully earned. Thus, by
reason OF this mistaken and erroneous
policy, the legitimate channels OF bus
mess III this office had become clogged,
and bs reason of wrongful delays a
vast amount OF work had accumu-
lated, there being at the close OF the
fiscal year ended June 80, 1883, $50
953 entries of all kinds pending OF
awaiting consideration. Under these
circumstances IA change OF policy was
deemed necessary. Hence, shortly
after March 4, 1889, a new admins
trative policy, based on a liberal and
enlightened Interpretation OF the pub
hc land laws, was adopted by you
and has been continued during the i'll
tervening fiscal years. Under this
new policy settlers are presumed TO bt
honest and well disposed toward tin
government and the laws, and public
land bushes has been expedited Will
marked beneficial results
..On March B, S91 "a law was passed
entitled IAN act to repeal the timber
culture law and for other purposes,
IN which congress manifested its ap
proval OF the new policy. Under anC
: by virtue OF section Z OF that Law
large numbers OF cases long suspende;
on the merest suspicion OF fraud o
under harsh technical rulings. havt
been and are being passed to paten
in manner which, while greatly facil
itating business, also supplies ampl
safeguards against all possible fraud
In virtue OF This marked and beneficial
change of policy and under the favor
able legislation mentioned, the larg
number of accumulated entries abov
: stated, together with an addition c
31S,0lS entries, received since til
present policy was inaugurated, ha
on June 80, 1862, been carefully col
sidered and proper action take
thereon.
Comparative tables aecompanyir
the report show an excess during til
four fiscal years ended June 80, 1S9:
over the four years ended June 81
d SIS, III the number of agriculture
patents issued of nearly 14S per cen
substantially clearing the docket, an
leaving the office on July L, 1892, vi
tually free to attend the current bus
ness as it arises.
As to mineral and coal patents IL
reports show an excess under sim
lar comparison in the number OF min
raj patents issued OF 9S per cent, an