The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-12

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| they belonged and have been OF great ben
eft to the general educational interests of
| he territory.
For 1897 the sum of Sis. 1T.55 was distrib-
uted to the various school districts for
common school purposes, being N-s4 per
| capita for each child of school age in the
territory.
For 1893 the sum of SOS, es5. % was turned
over to the treasurer for distribution, be-
ing sLO6 per capita.
Funds arising from rentals OF sections
g have been distributed to the use and
| benefit Of the university, normal schools,
| the Agricultural and Mechanical college
and the Agricultural and Normal univer-
sity, as seemed to be for the best interests
Of these several institutions. In the alb
sence of any law directing how and in
| what proportion this fund should be appor-
| toned, I have felt it TO be my duty to
make distribution Of these funds, using
my best Judgment in apportioning to each
! institution such amount as its necessities
| seemed to require.
| Each one Of our higher institutions Of
| learning could have made good use Of more
! than could be apportioned TO them, having
| in view the best interests and general well
| fare Of all. The responsibility of making
| this apportionment is not pleasant one,
| but I assumed it rather than hold back
| the funds until legislative action could be
| had, which would have retarded and OBJ
structed the advantages to be derived from
| its use for the purposes for which it was
| intended. I earnestly urge that you viii
provide by law for the apportionment and
| distribution of funds hereafter collected for
this purpose.
The fourth legislative assembly provided
by law that funds arising from the leasing
! of section 80 should be turned over TO the
territorial treasurer and by him used 10
redeem outstanding general fund warrants
and that the auditor should draw his war
rant drawing percentum interest per an
mum for such amounts, which should be
held in trust for the public building fund.
| Under this law there has been paid into
the treasury and warrants issued therefor
the sum of So, 900 and 1 hold in readiness
to turn over to the treasurer the further
sum of S37,357.02, which will be turned in
under the provisions of Nhis law and ap-
piled to the redemption of general fund
warrants unless you shall direct other dis
position of the same. I have thus held
this amount by reason OF the strong public
sentiment prevailing that some action
should be taken looking TO the erection of
pubic buildings and in order that ii might
be Immediately available should you desire
to make provision for the establishment
and erection Of territorial, penal, reform
atory or elemosynary institutions and
because its investment in general fund
O. 81 t.
available for period of about two years
unless other provision is made to refund
all general warrants.
The funds arising from the rentals of
sections Is and 80 in Greer county are held
by the treasurer and cannot be appro-
priated under the act of congress reserving
them, because said act provides that the
same shall be used for such purposes as
the legislature of the future state Of Ok
lahoma" shall provide
An act should be passed or joint resolu-
ton adopted requesting congress to amend
the Greer county act providing that rem
tails arising frem sections Is shall he do
mated to the agricultural college, univer-
sity and normal school purposes and that
funds arising from the leasing Of sections
SO be donated to pubic building purposes.
In this connection I call your attention
to the report of the secretary that about
1900 acres OF land is lost to these funds
by reason of previous reservations made In
the Cherokee Outlet lands and that no pro.
vision was ever made for the donation OF
these sections'in original or old Oklahoma,
nor in the Cheyenne, Arapahoe. Sac and
Fox, Iowa, Kickapoo and Pottawatomie
countries, nor has any provision been
made for the selection of indemnity lands
for the lands lost as above stated and for
the omission to make Reservations In these
countries.
In view OF the fact that large tracts Of
valuable land are lying vacant in the west
ern part Of the territory rot suitable for
lomesteads, and only used Iy cattle ra's-
ers, and for which no renta are paid By
them TO aE"C1 e. L recommend that you
make an effort TO secure =: the territory
a donation by congress of a sufi?I 4
quantity of such vacant lands as win equal
the amount lost as aforesaid and by rca-
son of the failure to reserve said sections
in the countries above named.
The reservation by the general govern
ment of the Camp Supply property.
or 40,32O acres. is no longer necessary. the
same having been abandoned by the mill
tary branch Of the government, for which
It was reserved. The buildings, dwelling
houses barracks and stables are rottinc
decaying and falling to pieces and the
lands are used only for the grazing OF
cattle by unauthorized persons and with
out authority of law.
Congress should be memorialized to do
nate this property to the territory for the
use and benefit Of the school fund, for a
soldiers home, or for such other public
purposes as you may determine TO be most
desirable
IF these matters are clearly pres sntei 70
congress by you, cannot douo. that it
will, in its wisdom and care for the general
welfare OF the territory and its usual pro-
vision for the public purposes namei. grant
your request and enact such laws rs wi
accomplish the beneficent objec;s desired.
The report OF the secretary Informs you
that the department OF the interior Is
Gaining and demanding payment Of lard
Office fees FOR The entering OF the ia5em-
nifty lands selected by the former terrific
rial administration. amounting 10 81 -
The title to these lands viii not he secure
until these payments are made or :1e same
is RENTED BY act Of congress. TIE ben
orable secretary of the interior has not
yet ordered 2 cancellation OF these en-rses
but is like,y 10 do 50 at any moment. and
7 suggest that you promptly memorable
congress for the passage OF an act remit
ting the charge.
/ recommend II your careful attention
the arious suggestions made By the secre