The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-11

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The governor said no delegations had
appeared before him asking for the Sc
lection of Lee, but that messages had
been received asking for such action.
Of course, no one save the senders
and the governor himself, knew whose
names were signed to the kilograms
and he will doubtless never make them
public.
There is nothing new in the matter
except that it is unofficially announced
that Grant H. Smith will codify and
compile. The only doubt as TO the
membership of the commission is as to
Lee, and concerning him the governor
viii not speak. But in all probability
he too will be retained and the origi-
nal appointments will stand as an en-
tirety.
RUSH FOR LANDS.
Governor Wells said yesterday that
the land commission would get to
work at as early a date as possible.
He could not fix a definite time, but as
far as can be learned from outside
sources, il is believed the commission
will meet on Monday and get action.
1t will be besieged with business of
various kinds as soon as it meets. All
over the state are settlers, who for
years have been living on lands which
properly belong to the school allott-
ment and every individual is anxious to
learn what is going to be done. All
such questions were very properly left
to the commission by the legislature,
and its members will have to act.
There are many instances in Utah
where school lands were settled prior
to the survey made by the general gov
eminent and those who reside thereon
cannot help being anxious to learn
whether they can get the same with
out paying high prices, or whether they
will have to go into the courts for a
title. It will be remembered that the
majority of the many constitutional at
torneyS in the two houses were of the
opinion that a test case made in the
courts will result in favor Of the actual
residents upon these lands.
Take the case of those at Ephraim.
Sanpete county. Outside the limits OF
the city there is a tract which was set
tied many years ago. The people who
occupy it have farmed the land for a
long time. Their work has reclaimed
1t and made of desert ground fine
farming territory. But many of them
have not actually lived there all the
time, II the reports be true. Others
have remained there constantly In
stead of tilling the soil during the
warm season and moving in town in
the winter a great many have occupied
their small holdings continually. 1t
is stated that these people are entitled
TO title from the general government
ana could get one were a trial had in
the courts. But as litigation is ex-
penSlFe, even when one wins, the folks
want TO get along, if possible, with
Out, and with those who have worked
N summer and lived in town in winter
hey viii go to the board and make a
showing for title and offer to pay the
state fair compensation for the
ground.
1t looks hard to take these lands
away from those who have lived ON
them so long, but the argument adj
Vanced IN favor of compelling a pay
ment IS that these settlers have resided |
there for years without having had to |
pay taxes Since the surveys have |
oeen made and the sections occupied |
have been deSigna ted as school lands |
Of course they were not taxed # is
DelleVed the commission will act fairly |
ana the matters in question will all be |
ad1udlcated to the satisfaction of both |
the state and the individuals.
There are several instances of the
character alluded to in this state.
ogden has a section OF school lands
within its city limits and to conpel the
settlers thereon to pay the market
price for the land would mean confis-
catlon, and nothing else. At Hunts
VINE, IN Weber county, is another sec
tion. rms has been only partially set
tIeo- Ihere is one portion of the land
which is valueless for farming pur-
poses. That which has been occupied
however, is extremely rich and fer
TIE ana TO compel the men who have
improved it and made it what If is To
pay at its full value would be an in.
justice. Nearly every neighborhood IN
the state has instances of the kind
and the commission will have it's hands
1uu Tor time determining these
questions
Cattle men are making preparations
Tor besieging the commission with an
pications for leases. One gentleman
from the northern portion of the state
INFORMED Herald man yesterday that
several leading range men were en-
route to this city and would file with
Ine board as soon as it convened.
mere are many coming up from the
south and when the commission meets
1t will have its hands full for a time.
STATE WARRANTS.
Holders of state warrants are becom-
ing agtated. There are no quotations
to be had at present 1t appears thar
the revenue bill passed by the legisla-
ture provides that warrants shall NOT
be receivable for taxes. This appIies
TO state as well as county paper Then
a Dill was passed during the latter
days of the session which provided {
that state warrants should draw in ,
terest at a rate of per cent per an
NUN. The governor has this bill in
his hands yet and it is not known {
he will sign or not AS a re- ,
suit the banks are chary of state paper.
One banker said yesterday that he !:
would not give over 80 cents for state
warrants and another placed his mar
gin at go. The scalpers, the men who
make business of shaving paper. as
a rule priced warrants at S71b cents.
IL the governor should happen to re-
fuse to sign there would be a further
drop in prices
There is a feeling abroad that the
finances Of the state are not in as good
condition as they should be, owing to
the character Of the legislation had
Ii is not generally known for what
purpose the bond issue was authorized
Some believe the 100000 is to be used
n funding outstanding warrants.
while others maintain they can be ap-
Piled to paying off bonds outstanding
1nly. AS result, bankers and brokers
10 not want to handle state paper un-
Ill the questions involved are definitely
settled.
Many bankers incline to the belief
hat the lawful money clause in the
oill providing for bonds was a mistake.
they hold that 4 per cent bonds with
q roll y.10