The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-02-28

|
Schools Statistics"
He asked that the following bills pas
to third reading. no amendments hav
| ing been approved: Interest" 'LoaI
| Commissioners, State Engineer.
J Deputy State Officers" Telegraph,
Transfers" "Townsites" and Join
Debtor" which was agreed to.
Mr.. Nebeker called attention to {
few needed changes in the insurance
title, which were agreed to.
Mr.. Rideout asked that the poll ia,
law be amended. As amended it eX-
emDted all who had served in fire de
partments from the payment of pol
tax for period Of ten years after such
service. Inquiry convinced him thai
outside the cities in the smaller towns
! in ten years every man would be ex-
empt. The law was changed so as tc
exempt only during the term of serv-
ice.
THE LAND BILL.
The senate tool up senate bill No
As, by the joint committee on public
lands, AN act creating and defining
the powers and duties of the state
board of land commissioners, provid-
ing for the selection, location, appraise-
ment, protection, sale, rental and gen
eral management of the public lands
Of the funds arising from the sale and
leasing Of such lands, and for the sale
and protection of the timber on the
lands of the state
This bill makes some changes in the
personnel of the board as now made
up. the first section reading:
"A state board of land commissioners
is hereby created which shall consist
of the governor, the secretary of state
and five resident citizens of the state,
who shall be appointed by the COVER
nor, by and with the consent of the
senate. Not more than four members
of the board snail belong TO one po-
litical party Each appointed CON-
missioner shall hold his office for four
years and until his successor is ap-
pointed and qualified.
Each appointed commissioner shall
give a bond to the state, with sureties
to be approved by the governor, in the
sum of twenty-five thousand dollars,
for the faithful performance of his
duties, which bond shall be deposited
in the office of the secretary of state
One portion Of section 16 of the act
reads:
Provided, also, that sales of such
lands shall be made only TO citizens
of the United States or to those who
have declared their intention to be-
come such"
Mr.. Chambers moved to strike out
the words who have declared their
intention to become SUCH" and when
asked his reasons, said that many
aliens who come here declared their
intention merely to acquire title 70
property, and never did become citi-
Zens. If a native has to wait q years
to acquire title to land, surely a for
eigner can wait five years.
The senate however did not a gree
with Mr.. Chambers and declined to
strike out the amendment.
The bill provides that the governor
Snail be president of the board which
shall elect its own secretary. who shall
be paid nothing extra for mis- services.
The board has direction, control and
management OF all lands heretofore
cept those set apart for public build
ings, and have power to sell or lease
1t shall designate what lands shall
be assigned 10 each specific fund des-
ignatcd in grants made by the United
States.
Arid lands may be sold in amounts
not to exceed go acres agricultural and
saline lands 100 acres. Actual and bona
fide settlers can increase their holdings
by purchase from the state to an
amount not exceeding $50 acres.
The bill as reported provided that
grazing lands might be leased for a
period not TO exceed u years. Mr..
Nebeker OF Tooele moved to make it
20 years.
This brought up Mr.. Rideout with a
statement that such term was too
long; ten years was enough. Twenty
years was almost generation and he
believed it would foster monopoly. He
moved TO make the term ten years
Mr.. Nebeker withdrew his amend
ment.
The president called Mrs. Cannon to
the chair and Mr.. Evans rose to speak
upon the question.
Mrs. President said Mr.. Evans.
Mr.. Evans" said the chair.
Evans was then proceeding to speak
when Nebeker of Tooele rose to a
point of order.
THE gentleman will state his point
of order
My point of order is that under the
rules the gentleman must address the
presiding officer as Mr.. President.
THE point Of order is well taken"
said the chair.
Mister President" said Evans.
Mr.. Evans" replied the chair
Mr.. Evans said the question was
grave one. Long leases meant monop-
oily. The term of 20 years would be
urged by those who wanted to lease
grazing lands. Now the state will suf-
fer from this system. Take the graz
ing lands and lease them for ten years
and at the end of that time the lands
VIII be so improved, the range so much
better, that an advance in price could
De had The state would lose money
by the long lease. Besides leasing for
~ years means the shutting out of
competition and our children viii suf-
,t IL the legislature passes this bill
III lnis form it Will be held responsible
for the error.
ar. Nebeker of Rich said he had no
1oupe OF the condition in Utah county.
rsInaPs there the term of Eve years
w De better but in other counties
" years was none too much. 1t would