Stikeen River journal. (Fort Wrangel, Alaska) 1898-1899, 1898-08-06
LAWS FOR ALASKA.
New Measures to Meet Changed
Co ditiOnS.
Commissioner Hermann Explains
the Provisions of the Land
Law Passed by the
Last Congress.

times, congress, during its last session.
passed bill extending to Alaska the
homestead laws and providing for right
OF ways for railroads in that territory.
Every bill passed by congress is in such
form us To be somewhat liable to be
misconstrucd by the ordinary reader,
and.to,makc more plain the meaning of
the Alaska bill, Commissioner Her.
mann, of the general land office, has
prepared complete set of instructions
setting forth the objects of the bill.
which he intends to distribute among
the local land officers of Alaska. and
among any persons concerned in the
provisions of the new law.
In addition to extending to Alaska
the homestead laws of the United States
the act provides that no entry shall be
made extending more than so rods
along the shore of any navigable water
and under no conditions may entries be
made of the shores of the navigablc
bodies of water.
Moreover. no homestead in Alaska
is to contain more than 50 acres of land.
nor shall any indemnity. deficiency or
lien lands pertaining to Il land grant
outside of Alaska he located within that
territory.
The existing homestead laws do not
authorize the entry of unsurvcycd pub
lie lands until public surveys have been
extended over them, but the new law
authorizes such entry through the eN-
crcisc of soldiers additional homestead
rights. although this does not apply to
the general homestead right.
The act extends to duly authorized
American companies the right to con-
etruct railway lines through the lands
of Alaska. provided their application is
approved 10y the interior department.
Railroad companie, will be allowed to
take from the public lands adjacent to
their line of road any material. stone or
timber that may be necessary for the
construction of their road and may oc
cupy such additional land as may be
necessary for stations. shops. sidctracts,
terminals, etc.
No railroad company will hc allowed
TO retain possession of minerals or coal
which may be found within the limits
OF it, right Of way.
Permits will lac issued to any rcspon
sible parties or corporations for using
right of way not over loo feet in width.
on to those wishing to construct wagon
roads aerial and other iramways and
ike passages, but no single company or
party will be allowed to monopolisc any
canyon or dctile through which i. may
extend its line. to the exclusion of any
other lines.
No tolls shall be collected upon any
wagon road unless at least 5000 per
mile ha, been expended in its construc-
ton. in which case collectors will be app
pointed by the department.
Labor and material men and con-
tractors performing service or furnish
ing material in the construction of the
roads shall be first lein on the rights
and property of the companies, and
shall take precedence to any mortgage
or other lien.
Any United States citizen, or associa-
ton of citizens. may purchase one claim
only, not exceeding 50 acres each, the
price to be s.. 80 per acre. This is only
to be done when proof is submitted that
the area contains Improvements of the
claimants and is needed for the prose-
cution of some branch of trade or manu-
facturc in which they may be engaged.
Annette and Pribylof islands, and other
islands which have been leased or are
occupied by those persons who are en-
gagged in the propagation of foxes are to
be excluded from entry under the pro-
visions of the new act.
All surveys of lands, before or after
entry, are to be made by United States
deputy surveyors, appointed by the in
terror department.
y necessary provision relating to
public roads sets aside a tract 60 feet
wide parallel to all shore lines, and no
grant will be allowed to obstruct or cut
off such roads. Settlers who select lands
lying across such tracts do so at their
own risk.
Settlers, residents or miners in Alas
ka will be allowed to cut. for domestic
use, such timber as they may find nee
essary from the public lands. without
any specific permission from the depart
ment.