The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-07
OFFICE LAND FoRFErTUREs.


Land Commissioner Baker gives out ths
following:
desire to say to persons Interested in
the forfeiture OF school land sales. that
no forfeitures can possibly be taken before
late In the winter or early next spring
This course is absolutely unavoidable, ow.
ing TO the fact that the work in the land
office has accumulated so much In the last
three months that we can not hope to &c,
up with 1t in shorter time.
| wish to call especial attention Of the
public to the fact that applications are al
ready coming into this office to purchase
lands not YET forfeited, upon the assump-
ton That all sales delinquent on the non
payment OF interest were forfeited on the
iifet OF this month. All these applications
VIII have to be rejected or returned, and
II ls great burden. in view of the over
crowded condition OF the work here. 20 have
this wholly unnecessary work to do. no
applications which are filed for the pur-
chase or lands before tha forfeitures are
made and before the lands are put on tho
market with the clerk Of the county where
the land is situated, can be considered
desire also to ask all persons who make
flies for others 10 assist us by writing their
names on the blank margin at the foot OF
the application, SO that when writing No
may be able to know to whom to write
Many lawyers accustomed to sign their
names TO papers filed for their clients In
court do not sign the papers which they
send to this ofiice. The result is that
when we write to the only address found
on the application, which of course Is that
OF the applicant, the agent or attorney
writes us some very blietering letter. be-
cause we did not write to them instead OF
their clients. II will be seen at once that
for their own negligence we have to re-
celye unjust criticism. II they would sign
their names II would be unnecessary to ac-
company the application with any letter.
! would also ask applicants 20 fill up the
blanks on the back OF the application, Civ
ing their names ami describing the lands
applied for. This is small Job at home
or Office OF the applicant, but when they
reach this office from all parts of the State
II becomes whole days work for one OF
the clerks In the office, and much delay Is
thereby.
until the rush came up we had been 40
prompt Ia acknowledging all communlca-
tons directed 10 This office that the people
ware educated to expect as a matter Of
course continuation OF this accomplish
ment. ] do not therefore. blame them for
being Impatient now, especially when It Is
40 important that they should know
whether they are to get lands applied for
before the winter closes in on Them
nevertheless. beg my friends everywhere
TO MORN those less acquainted with the
conditions here that am hurrying and
pressing every energy possible to dispose
oil their business as rapidly rs can be done.
ana they viii be notified as coon as their
claims are reached in their order. Many
pcrnons now expecting to hear by every
man regarding the disposition OF their ap-
pilcations win not hear for some months,
ana trust they win not grow impatient.
further specially call the attention OF
all persons having lease contracts made
prior To August the goth last that unless
they ore recorded In the county where the
hnd lies or In the county to which such
county Is attached for judicial purposes
by the 20ih Of this month. their leases may
be cancelled, inasmuch as tho law provides
that upon the certificate OF the county
clerk. that II such leases are not OF record
In this county they may be cancelled In
such cases the former lessee would lose his
leasehold and the money he has paid there's
on. Respectfully submitted.
Andrew j. Bake
tt,,,,,t .sn.t