The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-11-08
UNAPPROPRIATED LANDS,
SCHEME TO SECURE THOSE NON.
MINERAL FOR THE STATE.
Expressions of Opinion From State
Land Registrars and Land Boards
of a Favorable Mature.

The scheme for the accession by the
general government to the various
states of all unappropriated non-min-
eral lands within their borders seems to
have met with considerable favor.
From the Helena independent it is
gathered that H. D. Moore, land regis
trar of the state of Montana, recently
addressed letters to the land depart
ments of the various western states
asking for an expression of opinion on
the subject, and the replies SO far re-
ceived have been of a nature favorable
to the scheme.
The Independents article on the sub
ject is as follows:
Less than two weeks ago, as was an
nounced in the Independent at the
time. State Land Register H. D. Moore
addressed q letter TO the land depart
ment of each of the western states CIV
ing details Of a plan, which it was
hoped, might eventually secure to the
states all public non-mineral lands re-
naming unappropriated Mr.. Moore
desired an expression of opinion from
the officers Of the land departments Of
other states as to the desirability for
an act of congress surrendering the
public domain to the states in which
that if all the states interested should
cooperate on some plan with that OBJ
ject in view, the thing could be accom-
plished.
1t is possible that such legislation will
be brought about. Register Moore yes
terday received letters from land Office
officials representing Minnesota, Wash
ington and Utah. and each one eX-
pressed his approval of the idea and
no Yn1l1G
any movement having the end eX-
pressed by Mr.. Moore in view. Mr..
Moore did not lock for such prompt re-
sponses and while only three states
have been heard from he feels encour-
aged at the outlook.
ENCOURAGING LETTERS.
These letters are. encouraging, to say
the least ne said yesterday. 'Tney
indicate that the necessity Tor some such
action as that suggested exists ana ln1t
the idea, in the opinion of the writers, at
least, is practicable. ! feel more Than ever
conVined that the pan IS feas-Bte ana
highly desirable. / scarcely expected SO
favorable a reply as came from the state
auditor OF Minnesota. If his opinion IS
representative OF those or the otner off,
GERS Of that state. 1 think that the large
congressional delegation OF Minnesota
could be depended upon to support any
prospective legislation designed for the
RELIEF of the states as suggested
1ne letter received yesterday by Mr.
Moore from the state auditor OF Mime
sofa, r. G. Dunn, was as follows:
Dear Sir-To your letter of Oct. %.
1897 ! have given careful consideration.
and l have reach sd the opinion that your
suggestion is both valuable and practical
bic ana is execution would nrove of
great benefit to the northwestern states.
Minnesota has received many grants
OF lands for educational and other pur
poses from the United States, as you VIII
see from the copy Of the last biennial re-
port Of this department which | send you.
The purely agricuturaI lands remaining
TO the government and subject 10 the
homestead ana other public land laws are,
to Il large extent. exhausted. and the bulk
of the remaining land is 'timbered and
much OF it IS 20 doubt secured II the lum-
beImen and others in the way you de-
scribe. And as the mineral laws OF the
United States are not extended to Mime
mineral are no doubt secured under the
timber and stone and other acts, not Tor
the purpose of legitimate settlement. but
for mining purposes or by spectators.
II think it would DC wise move on
the part OF the state of Minnesota to
CO. op5rare in an-elfort such as YOU sug-
geSl with . view TO secure for tie bene-
Ill of the permanent school fund of the
state the remaining lands lying east of
range 81 west OF the fifth principal me-
ridian and north of township ".
Il would be glad TO discuss this matter
further with you and viii be glad to hear
how You progress in other states.
FROM WASHINGTON.
Robert Bridges. commissioner of public
lands ana chairman of the state board of
land commissioners, Of Washington, wrote
/ a. follows:
Dear Sir-ReplyiDg to yours of the 23rd
ult with reference to public lands, permit
me TO state that ! am fully in accord with
Your views as expressed therein.
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, intro
duced bill in the senate think the
same is now on the calendar of the house
-apDroprating all Of the pubic lands
( remaining IN the various states to the
states in which the same lie. / nave seen
one OF our members of congress. and
should | not meet, | will communicate
with the others. ! Will also interview
| Senator Turner of this state in relation
to this matter, believing. as | Go, THAI it
! is : public necessity. l realize that gil
ganIic frauds have been perpetrated upon
/ the general government, especially in
western Washington lg syndlcates, cor
! porationS and wealthy individuals using
/ individuals in Strengthened circums tances
to file upon timber lands and holding over
policy pursued in this state since che pres
! ent administration has taken Office has
! been TO withhold from sale all school
! lands. al efforts on that line being sent
on the leasing CT sucn lands for the bene-
! tit of the common school fund.
Il think it would be well for all the
] land Departments of the west to make
| some concerted action upon this PROPOSE
! ton and secure from Senator Morgan. or
any other. copies of the bill above men
toned and have some suitable memorial
prepared upon which all may agree, ad-
I dressing same TO our senators and repre-
/ sentatives. l will hold myself in readiness
! to cooperate with you on this subject
matter at any time. For any assistance
that may be able 20 render you, do not
! hesitate to command me-.
UTAH APPROVES.
Wesley X. Walton, secretary of The
I Utah state board of land commissioners
! in acknowledging the receipt of Mr.
/ Moore's letter. wrote that he would pre-
sent the matter 10 the board, and he had
no doubt he said, that the board would
cooperate with any movement having for
! its object the securing of public lands for
! the use of the states within which tfiey
/ are located. He said that the Utah board
had been anticipating some such move
ment with q great deal of satisfaction.
An Interesting Combination.
Weather, Christmas, furs, immense
stock. exclusive styles, low prices
! courteous trea tment. Mehesy, the fur
rier, Knutsford.