The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1895-03-02
STATE GRANTED LAND
Selection, Survey, Manage.
ment and Disposition.
SOMEWHAT LENGTHY DOCUMENT

The Features Of the BiIi That Has Bss.
IntrsAses1 - Wsshisgtss's Lsgis-
lstsrs By sssster Lssh 81 Yakins
ssa Klickitst.
OLYMPIA, February "a bill which
10 likely 70 attract the attention and
consume considerable time Of the legis-
lature was introduced to-day in the SEN
ate by Senator Lesh, OF Yakima and
Klickitst 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.
pieting OF the several grants to the state
by the United States and creating .
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 o.
An administration measure intended to
carry out Governor McCsraw's recon-
mendations as presented in his message.
The framework Of the bill, and in gen.
eral its provisions, are taken from the
present Law, but there are such amplif-
cations and notifications Is experience
or needs have shown TO be necessary.
The bill 10 Of extraordinary length, has
l02 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 nov engaged in plating and ap-
praising first class lands, tO-wit: in
Pierce, King. Chehalis and Pacific; the
abolition OF the seven state land agents
or cruisers. who nov receive 10 cents An
acre to select granted land, and the ap-
pointment Of one At . salary OF 81 200
per year the abolition OF the seven as
eistant attorney-generals at land office
points TO contest land cases, who are nov
paid IS 600 and the imposition OF their
work upon the new board. Ample pro-
vision lie made for the prosecution OF
timber thieves and other treepAssere on
state lands.
The lands put under the control OF the
board are classified as granted lands in
GLIDING school, university and other ed
ucational grants, grants for other than
educational purposes and lieu and in
demnity lands tide-lands including AL
lands over which the tide Gibbs and flows
from the line OF ordinary high tide to
the line Of mean low tide, except at har-
berlin cities, where the tide lands are
made 10 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 aud 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
10 be synonymous. Besides this il lie
made the duty OF the board to super
wise ali officers who have anything to do
with the care or disposal Of state lands,
and excepting a. otherwise provided, TO
finally determine all questions arising in
connection with the administration OF
the laws. Provision lie 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 nov remaining for
eelection in the state, the cost OF survey
TO be repaid by the United States gov
eminent. Permission is granted to cell
timber apart from the land, provided
the timber lie appraised at least $40 per
acre, and fallen timber, natural hay OF
gravel may also be sold to the highes,
bidder after advertisement. Delinquent
school land contracts shall be declared
forfeited after two years delinquency,
but the purchaser may be reinstated ii
he pays up all delinquency within thirty
days after receipt OF notice of forfeiture
The word improvements" used in re-
ferring to granted lands 10 defined as
fencing, ditching, draining, houses,
barns, shelters, wells, elashing, clearing,
breaking done within three wears. Inn
provements, when referring to tide and
shore lands, or hArbor areas, lie 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.
tually covered by structures, provided
that ordinary capped piles shall not be
considered Improvements. Provision is
made for the certifcation Of the non.
mineral character Of school land, which,
II 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 tirst-class are to
be surveyed and appraised by the board,
with . proviso that where local boards
are now At work on firet-clAss lands-
that lie at Tacoma, Seattle or Gray's
harbor-they shall complete their work
forthwith. ApPeale from the appraise-
ment TO the superior court are allowed
to any person. Any person may insti.
tu,e contest on the grounds OF fraud
or conflicting right In case prefer.
ence rights are not exercised sixty days
from the filing Of the plats the surveyed
and plated tide lands may be cold at
public action.
The survey and appraisal of sub
merged and other lands, which lie be-
Of high tide, wherever omitted by Local
boards, 10 provided for. Lands Of the
second class are to be sold at Is per acre
uniformly, unless three persons protest
by affidavits that the value Of the lands
is more; euch lands are to be surveyed
BY the applicant At his own expense.
Third-class tide lands are to be sold at
. minimum rate OF . cents per linear
loot Of the government meander line,
~ith the came exception % 70 increased
value ~ 10 provided for second. class