Rocky Ford enterprise., 1895-02-14
Leasing State Lands for Fifty
Years.

In the last issue of the La Junta
Times, Hon J. H. Crowley had n
very strong letter showing the
evils which would result from
leasing state lands for so years.
Mr.. Crowley's letter was brought
out by the newspaper reports that
Mr.. Randall had introduced a bill
providing for such extended lease.
The following letter was written
in answer to Mr.. Crowley's strict
ures, and will appear in the Times
of to-morrow-the editor having
courteously permitted us to use
the letter in advance of it's publi-
cation in the Times:
Rocky FoRp, Oono., FRB., 18th, 1895.
My attention has been called to COM
munication in your issue of 9Th inst, from
j. H. Crowley, in regard to House Bill
No. 4O6 concerning the leasing of state
lands.
This bill has not been printed and Mr..
Crowley article seems to have been writ
ten from a supposition of what its pro-
visions were, and which am in posi-
In Justice to our Representative I ask
space in your columns to make state
ment of facts concerning this bill and
other measures which MIR. Randall has
introduced ut the present session of the
Legislature.
In letter dated Feb. 9Th, Mr. Randall
writes me as follows:
81 have introduced bill amending
Sec IL. page 1872, Sec. Ses. Laws OF 81,
to give the land board authority to sell
land, if they think it is for the best inter-
ests of the state and the promotion Of the
settlement thereof. As the law now
reads they cannot sell the land unless
they consider it for the best interests of
the School Fund.
had q talk with Attorney General
Carr on the matter and he considered it a
good amendment.
1 also introduced bill, by request of a
member of the State Land Board, to
lengthen the limit of the leasing of land,
but it was laid on the table in the Com
mittee on Public lands, of which am n
member, at my request, as covered by an
other bill by Mr.. Harper.
That bill provides for the leasing of
land not to exceed 10 years. think this
is good plan. and it will encourage bet
ter improvements, the planting of ORCH
ards, etc. As I understand tho law the
land can be put on the market at any
time so it will not hinder the sale of land.
am in favor OF the selling of all state
lands to actual settlers as provided in
Sec. page 33 Ses. Laws of '89.
Yours Truly
W. N. RANDALL.
The act last referred to by Mr.. Randall
provides for the sale of lands in parcels
of not more than 160 acres, to actual set
tier only, or to persons who ahall i'm
prove the same, as they deem for the best
interest of the state, and the promotion
of the settlement thereof: land to be sold
to citizens OF the United States only, and
the sales to be advertised for four weeks
in the county in which the land is Bituat-
ed.
Most of the state land in Otero county
is what is known as Indemnity land, hav-
ing been selected by the land board in
lieu OF Sections 16 and SO lost to the
state in the Ute reservation. This places
it under the same restrictions as to sale
that surround Secs 16 and 36, and the
amendment proposed by Mr.. Randall re-
moves these restrictions, and would make
it possible to get the land sold and settled
up.
As far as am advised there is no di-
vision OF sentiment of our people in TO-
gard to the propriety OF selling state
landa and of the great benefit which
would accrue to the community and to
the county by the increase in taxable
wealth, and the organization Of schools
in localities where it is not now possible;
and also assert that the holders OF the
present leases on this land are the most
anxious of all Of our citizens to have this
accomplished.
1t appears from Mr.. Randall's letter
that there is prospect OF an act at the
present session of the legislature for the
selling ofthese lands: it also appears that
the policy to which our representative
commits himself in his letter OF the 9th,
is the same as that advocated by Mr..
Crowley in his communication of the 9Th.
Respectfullv