Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-02-01
State Land Commission.

To the Editor
Please to permit as to draw the az.
teniion Of the public, through the colums
Of the News, TO IS, me Of the unjust aud
unwarranied propositions OF the bill
recently introduced in the House, by
Bo.itho, establishing a State Land Com
mission and defining It's duties, as out
lined in morning eolempoafy OF the
ssth inst.
We are Informed that the board shall
consist Of five members, a, salary Of
g, 500 each, to hold office for four years,
the first members TO remain for five
years; and that ior the purpose OF locat-
INK these lands, the board " empowered
to employ competent assistants, at %
salary OF q daily thus Indicating that
the duties OF the commission may be
merely supervisory, aud a host II EN-.
| pluyes hired TO do the locating OF
lands at unu ually large salaries. Why
so many commissioners at such high
salaries' Tor It seems evident that the
commissioners are not expected to put
IN al their time. as one Of their number
may be secretary, for which he may
dive into the public funds Tor another
| $500 per aunum. is this the economy
that the condition Of the States finances
calls lof'
This board Is given exclusive control
OF all state lands. with power to dispose
Of them In any way. Surely the Legs.
| latute will adopt some safeguard where
by the rights Of settlers and the public
trusts will be protected
Here's another calling provision Of
this extraordinary bill. WaIcrrghts are
| expressly stated 10 revert to the State
| upon the expiration Of lease. Can
that be true, and. u so, Is ii not bold
attempt on the part Ol the strong, to
wrest Justly acquired rights from the
weak, and that 100. IN face Of that pro-
tectiye provision Of our State c0nsiiiu.
ton, which confirms an existing water
rights to their owners2 Oris Il intended
to turn the State INTO a vast corporation,
To form the mil ions Of acres OF lbs vas.
domain, Tor all they are worth, and to-
keep rs citizens IN a state OF bUndagr2
For. whatever advantages may occur to
other states by leasing their agricultural
lands, here conditions are entirely
different, and, whatever disposition may
be made Of other lands in the State, Il IS
scii.cvldent fact that those farmers
who have right TO the use OF the water
in any district should also own the land
benefited by Il, or there would be a con.
ilct OF interests that would prevent the
leasing OF such lands, and a profitable
use Of the waters In such cases. Such
conditions would prevent lull develop.
ment OF the 81 at resources OF our State,
and repel the thousands OF hOmcseckers
who would otherwise settle within our
borders.
While said bill contains some fair pro
visions, there are many that indicate
that il will not be In the interests OF the
citizens nor particularly to the trust
funds OF the State. Il opens the fuan.
cial iloodgates In a manner to alarm the
taxpayers and every wclIwisher Of cur
State, IN such a way as will surely insure
the defeat Of is obnoxious provisions,
and lead to the adoption OF such a law
as will properly administer the great
endowment bestowed upon the institu-
tons OF our State. Respectfully
AARON HARDY.
A. l.. lENsEN.
JENs {. NIELSEN.
Mons Monsoon.
.ioRoNI, Utah, Jan 27,h 1896.