Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-03-02
To Define and Classify the State
Granted Lands.
PROVISIONS FOR DISPOSITION


is likely to attract the attention and
consume considerable time of the legis-
lature was introduced to-day in the sem
ate by Senator Lesh, of Yakima and
klickitat. 1t is bill to provide for the
selection, survey, management, lease
and disposition of the states granted
tide, oyster and other lands, harbor
areas, and for the confirmation and COM
plotting of the several grants to the state
by the United States and creating a
board of state land commissioners. The
general effect of the proposed law is to
concentrate the administration of the
states lands in the board of state land
commissioners, and it is looked upon as
an administration measure intended to
carry out Governor McGraw's recon-
mendations as presented in his message.
The framework of the bill, and in gen.
eral its provisions, are taken IRON the
present law, but there ar such ampllh-
cations and notifications as experience
or needs have shown to be necessary.
The bill is of extraordinary length, has
lO2 sections, and covers the greater part
of the old law into about thirty type
written pages additional. Among the
principal new features are these:
The abolition of the county boards OF
tide land appraisers, except where they
are now engaged in plating and APP
praising tirst-cass lands, to-wlt: IN
Pierce, King, Clehalis and Pacific; the
abolition of the seven state land agents
or cruisers, who now receive III cents an
acre to select granted land, and the APP
pointment of one at q salary OF 81 ,2OO
per year; the abolition of the seven as
sistant attorney-generals at land office
points to contest land cases, who are now
paid 50, 900 and the imposition of their
work upon the new board. Ample pro-
vision is made for the prosecution OF
timber thieves and other trespassers on
state lands.
The lands put under the control OF the
board are classified as granted lands in
Guiding school, university and other ed
ucational grants, grants for other than
educational purposes and lieu and in
demnity lands tide-lands including all
lands over which the tide GIBBS and flows
from the line of ordinary high tide to
the line of mean low tide, except at bar
bor-line cities, where the tide lands are
made to include the lands between the
high tide and the inner harbor line;
shore lands including lands below the
line OF ordinary high water on the shores
of navigable rivers and lakes, and also
including lands reclaimed by lowering
the waters of such rivers and lakes oys-
ter lands, harbor lines and areas, arid
lands not provided for by another body,
and all other lands including lands es
cheated to the state or acquired by deed
of gift or sale. All the foregoing classes
are described as public lands or state
lands" and the two terms are deemed
to be SYNONYMOUS. Besides this it is
made the duty of the board to super
wise all officers who have anything to do
with the care or disposal of state lands,
and excepting as otherwise provided, to
finally determine all questions arising in
connection with the administration OF
the laws. Provision is made for the
selection of ten townships of unsurveyed
land under the provision of the sundry
civil act of congress OF last year, which
gives the state an opportunity to select
from the best land now remaining for
selection in the state, the cost of survey
to be repaid by the United States gov
eminent. Permission is granted to sell
the timber is appraised at least $40 per
acre, and fallen timber, natural hay or
gravel may also be sold to the highest
bidder after advertisement. Delinquent
school land contracts shall be declared
forfeited after two years delinquency,
but the purchaser may be reinstated If
he pays up all delinquency within thirty
days after receipt OF notice OF forfeiture.
The word improvements" used in re-
ferring to granted lands is defined as
fencing, ditching, draining, houses,
barns, shelters, wells, slashing, clearing,
breaking done within three years. I'm
provements, when referring to tide and
shore lands, or harbor areas, is defined
as structures erected, and filled and
made ground; made and actually in use
for business, trade or commerce or resi-
dence prior to March 26, 1890, including
such reasonable amount of land as is
usually required for the ordinary uses
of the business, trade or commerce car
ried on in connection with the land ac-
tuallv covered by structures, provided
that ordinary capped piles shall not be
considered improvements. Provision is
made for the certification of the non
mineral character of school land, which,
if enacted, will prevent mineral claims
being filed on school lands.
Rights of way are granted to counties
or cities over public lands, provided that
timber on such right of way shall be
paid for and an official sworn plat be
filed. The lands OF the frst-class are to
be surveyed and appraised by the board,
with proviso that where local boards
are now at work on first-class lands
that is at Tacoma, Seattle or Gray's
harbor-they shall complete their work
forthwith. Appeals from the appraise-
ment to the superior court are allowed