The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-01
STATES LAND CASES.
ATTORNEY GENERAL CLOSING UP
THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE.
Reviews Ordered, Covering Four
Townshfps-The Mcbride Contest
Still Hanging on--A Bill to Allow
Quinnemose to Convey HIS Title
to Land.

WASHINGTON, Dec. M.-Special.-At-
torney General Jones. of the state or
Washington. now congressTnan-eloct, who
has been in the city for the past two
weeks, has been very busy while here en-
deavorins TO clear up matters in the IN
Nerior department, in which the state IS
interested, preparatory to going out OF the
state Office, Januarys1. He has succeeded
in securing a review OF the decision of the
commissioner OF the general land office IN
the matter OF selections OF public lands
made by the state TO fiH out the several
grants. About four townships. or nearly
1000 acres, are Involved. In this partien-
lar case the governor made application Tor
the survey OF the townships desired by the
state to fill out its grade, under The pro-
visions Of the act of lS9l A large portion
OF these lands were acted upon favorab,y
to the state by the commissioner of the
general land office last January, but in
June the order was vacated and re-
versed. without notice to the state. on the
ground that contracts had already been let
10 survey portions OF it, and that the
Northern Pacific had applied fer surveys
for the rest OF II before the states applt-
cation was fled. The pending question,
therefore. before the department is, as to
the right Of the railroad company 20 Se-
lect these lands IN preference 10 the state.
The famous case Of Mcbride against the
state OF Washington. for possession of
school section No Is, adjoining the city
OF Tacoma, which was neglected month
after month by Secretary Hoke Smith, un-
I'll he went out OF office, has again been
brought up by Attorney General Jones be-
fore Secretary Francis. AS the matter is
still pending before the secretary. Mr..
Jones declines 70 make any statement
whatever relative thereto. The case how
ever. is one that is vel known 20 the peo-
pie OF the state OF Washington. and has
frequently been brought 70 the attention
Of the readers OF the Post-fus eillgeneer
through this correspondence. The delay
In this decision for so many years Il prob.
ably due 70 the fact that 1t ~ almost im-
possible for a secretary OF the interior
20 get time. amid al his other multlfarlous
duties. 20 stiy UP a case in which there
are already 1000 or 5000 pages OF record TO
be considered. This policy Of delay seems
TO he quite satisfactory 10 the attorneys
of Mcbride. who have constantly appeared
az procrastinators. probably for the rea-
son that the record e. all against the
claimant and ali in favor o. the state.
Outside attorneys. who are familiar with
the case. believe that this Motley Of delay Is
due 10 a desire TO wait until new men nj
the principal positions IN the interior de-
plrtment when an attempt WIZ be made
TO get a favorable decision for Mcbride
without giving an opportunity for a thor
oush examination Of the case.
~ wA bee reTuemoer3 shat Geo'og'st
Ind gren. H'h3 WAS sent out ~ Secretary
Hokc Smith over a year ago 70 make an
examination of the alleged mineral cnaT-
acter OF the land. made a report that there
vas no more gold 20 be found in the earth
IN this seotcgn than was - be found IN
the waters Of Puget sound, rfotwt hstard-
ing the fact that he had bad pos I've m
str1ctions from the interior department
20 take earth for examination froEn the
precise srot that m ght be pointed out BY
Mcbride or MS attorneys Mr L,n8Eron.
however. took pains. whae carrying out
she letter or ais fnstractsous, 20 60 so far