The St. Johns herald., 1898-04-30

sued from the office of the territoria e"nerintendent of pnblic instruction
 MESA ARENA, AprlI. 1888. 1 To the County School Superintt ndents. Asses
 sors, Boards Of Snperyisss7 end Public schoo
 Teachers of Arizona
 Ladies and Gentlemen--Yorl attention is re ! spectfully directed to the provisions of Act No 1 6e uf the Nineteenth Legislative assembly o Arizona, passed and approved March IS, 1897 entitled An Act Providing for Leasing schoo, and University Lands of the Territory of Ari zona."
 | The assessors of the various counties of this territory are now, no doubt tusily engaged il assessing the taxable property. Their duties in regard to assessing and returning school lands are set forth in section IS, of said act
 It is the duty of every one now occupying school land to lease the same from the board of supervisors of the county in which the land is situated The successful applicant and board of supervisors enter into written contract or lease, and the lessee pays the rent in advance for each year.
 My attention has been called to the fact that a large number of persons whn are now occupy ing school lands in this territory have not taken out any leases and are paying no rent for said school lands at all. The aItert tion of all persons interested Is hereby directed to Section It, of said act, which reads as follows:
 Section 16. Any one occupying school land and cultivating or grazing the same and refus- ing to lease or pay any rent, said rent will be- come a lien upon any crops or personal property he or they may own. and the same may be col leeted as personal property taxes are collected by the county assessors ''
 All school officers and teachers are especially requested to do all in their power to assist the assessors and supervisors in leasing the school lands of the territory The county superinten- dent of schools in each county is hereby reoues- ted to appoint at least one teacher in his county to look after this important matter This is in accordance with the joint county institute, held at Tucson, on December 29-S1, 1897
 It is unnecessary to say that our schools need money. That fact is apparent to all The pro- visions of the above mentioned act ought to bring in very considerable revenue to the public schools provided they are carried into effect
 This office has been informed tbat large mum Der of persons claim exem rton from the pro- visions of this act. stating as reason for u cir aOn-compiyiug that they settled 0u the school land prior to the time 1t was surveyed by the United States. From reliable inform atiou re ceiyed, ..nI Of the opinion th,t mary eeuuot escape on tais ground, as ve y few persons have occupied school land contnuou ly for so long. will deem it favor if all such ca es be repo l. ed to this office, that proper nv, stigation and inquiry may be made to determine tie truth of the matter shall be leased at any ime to give any aid in my power to carry into efectthe provisions of said act, aud when OccOsiOc re- quires it, will personally visit the county con cerned, if possible.
 Trusting that all will kindly assist to make ths act success, am,
 Very respectfully yours,
 P. SHEWMAN,
 Superintendent of Public Instruction.