The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-06-30
STATE TIDE LANDS.
Land COMMISSIONS Rulings In
Port Angeles Cases.
APPEAL TO SUPREME COURT.
Nellie MeCsrDieks . Deaf Hsestis1sss
Knisa as Wiakessa b . Car-An
AsgYy Cslvuls CAisE

OLYMPIA. June 29.-i9pecial. THE state
land commission denied the motion 10 dis.
miss the contest and appeal Of ID. o. Finch
from the appraisement made by the local
board Of appraisers of Cialiam county Of
lands lying in front Of the city OF Port
Angeles. brought on the ground that the
board had no jurisdiction TO act upon such
contest The commission is Of the opin-
ion that II has jurisdiction over the sp-
rraisai of all tide lands. The appeal OF d.
q. Finch from the appraisement made In
Fort Angeles harbor vas dismissed because
the board was OF the opinion that no valid
survey and appraisement have been made
from which an appeal can lie and no sur
vey and appraisement have been fled
according TO law with tho board OF land
commissioners or its predecessors. as the
board takes the ground that the loca. board
feppraisement ceased to exist On March
Is. 1856. when the new Law went into
elect.
This matter will be appealed and an
agreed case will be submitted. Proceed
ings will De commenced in the superior
court. and 1t is understood every opportu-
nifty will be given to facilitate the matter.
that it may reach the supreme court at an
IL Is the opinion Of the board that the in
tent and effect Of the act Of the legisla-
ture. approved March l5 1898, and gener-
ally known as the state land commission
act. was to entrust to and place in the
power of the land commission full super.
vision and control Of such public lands Of
the state, Of whatsoever character, as are
referred to in the act, with view that the
board should devise comprehensive sys-
tenn OF selection. survey, appraisal and
sale of these public lands in the simplest.
speediest. most economical and most adj
vantageous manner, considering the inter-
ests of the state and its citizens.
II il further the opinion Of the board
that the interest and effect of the
act referred to above is to repeal the law
known as the tide land law and its amend
ment. except in 30 far A. the provision of
that law can be made consistent with the
present law, and the act. so far as 1t re-
lates to the tide land act. 10 to abolish the
county boards Of appraisers and transfer
the functions of these boards and those Of
the state board Of equalization and appeal
aud OF the commissioner Of public lands,
30 Tar as his duties under these acts are in.
consistent with those that may be pre-
scribed under the present act. The hoard
believes that there exists no legal survey,
appraisal or application to purchase the
lands referred to in preceding applications
and they should be rejected.
Applications to the number of 1872 to
purchase tide lands of the first class in
front Of Port Angeles. offered BY the COM
missioner Of public lands to the board for
approval and certification. were rejected.
The purpose Of the action was to lead to
securing definition Of the actual powers.
duties and functions of the commission in
this instance. especially 80 far as they re-
late to tide landA Some of the county
boards Of tide land appraisers hold
! that they are legislated out Of
office; Others that they are still in Office.
Other boards are divided on the question.
So. too, with the duties and functions of
the commissioner Of public lands in rela-
ton TO tide lands. Should appiica-
tions to purchase or for approval and
sale be addressed to the commissioner.
as under the old Law, or to the new board :?
These and other questions Of . like char.
acter are being asked Of the commission
and OF the commissioner and there is
no way to satisfactorily determine
except upon . stated case. which il
is expected will be raised upon this re.
lection. There is no desire nor any at
tempt on the part Of the commission to
prejudice the cases Of the Port Angeles
applicants. and the board can now
accept new filings of the same survey
and appraisal. The people of Port Anpe-
les will really have an extension of time
in which TO enter their filings and contests
ii the view OF the state land commission IL