The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-04

to renew his lease without competition at
the appraiser rental value. The appraise-
ments should be subject TO review by a dis
interested board. should any lessee feel
aggrieved at the value fixed upon his
land"
NEW SYSTEM RECOMMENDED.
Under the head Of Needed Legislation"
Secretary Filson suggests:
1.-THE best interests Of the territory, as
well as the fairness and pustice to the
lessees of our school land demand the early
enactment Of legislation regulating and
governing the leasing and care Of school
and other public lands of the territory.
In preparing such legislation the rights
Of the lessees should be fully recognized
and a system established based on fair
ness and equity both to the lessees and
the territory; at the anne time there should
be full realization Of the fact that these
lands are sacred heritage to generations
yet to come and all personal, political or
class interests should be, for the time for
gotten in a general endeavor to properly
guard so sacred a trust. The easily fail
ures Of many of the states in dealing with
their public lands makes it more apparent
that Oklahoma should at once establish
a permanent public land system on
strictly business basis. The character Of
the work TO be done seems to demand the
creation of the office of commissioner Of
public lands, who shall be clothed with
authority TO lease the lands under certain
regulations. having, however, discretion
airy powers in certain matters sufficient
to prevent frauds and sharp practice under
the guise of technicalities. He should
have ample authority to protect lands from
depreciation and be authorized to issue his
warrant for rent in arrears to the sheriff
Of the county wherein the lands are loca-
ted. Rent should be first lien on growing
crops and improvements and summary
process for removing trespassers or ten
ants whose terms have expired or lease
has been forfeited.
"All Of the acts Of the commissioner
should, Of course be subject to review, I'M
der proper limitations, by a board Of COM
missioners, and from point Of economy
to the territory and ease of access the
present official board of the governor, sec
rotary of the territory and superintendent
of public instruction seems preferable to
separate board, the members of which
would draw per diem and mileage and be
difficult of access. This board should meet
at certain stated intervals that parties
having matters to present before them
may know when to appear that the bust
ness may be transacted with that dispatch
which insures prompt possession always to
the rightful party"
RECEIPTS GRATIFYING. "a
The receipts of the office during the
past two years have been most crafty
ing, and show a wonderful prosperity in
the farming industry of the territory. The
total receipts from the beginning to jan
uary /, 1897, the date Of the last report to
the legislative assembly, were 1898, 025.07;
from January l. 1897. to May %, 1897 the
total receipts were $31, So 90; expenses for
the same period, S42O6. "a; money return
ed to applicants. $43547. the net receipts
being $26.S75O9- From January /, 1897, to
November so. 1898. the total receipts We're
1910. 6S4. 81, and of this sum $3.50, 1874 has
been received during the eighteen months.
The total receipts of the office from the
beginning to November 80. 1895, were $685.
709 Il. During this administration there
has been turned over to the treasurer
S126. 953. II for the support of the common
schools, and there is now on hand No
vember 30, 1895 SIS % awaiting distri-
button for the same purpose. During this
period the treasurer has received $26,
792.1S for college and universities and on
November 80 there was $S,556.S2 on hand
in this fund. In the public building fund
there IS $34,S457 20 cash on hand. About S40,-
coo of the cash receipts are advance pay
ments on lands heretofore vacant that
have been leased during the past eigh-
teen months. The amount of interest col
lected on past due notes from June 80,
1897, to November 80. 1898, was $7,09l15.
EXPENSE INCREASE NATURAL.
The expenses of the office have in
creased, but the increase is natural and
largely due to the wonderful increase in
office business, demanding more office
room, new safe and fling cases, additional
supplies and new records, land office fees
for indemnity lands and the employment
of a special agent. These items alone rep
resent $3.50 additional expense, all OF
which were absolutely necessary to prop
erly conduct the office business.
The fixed expenses of the office are
about $1,000 per year. and classified as
follows:
Secretary ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. y 500
Assistant secretary. ---..--.--...-....-.. LUZ
Special agent. Luz
BOokkeeper .-..---.-..-.----.-'-- Suu