The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-26
WILL LOSE THE FARMS
STATE AUDITOR DUNN TO BEGIN
THE SALE OF FORFEITED
LANDS
IT MAY WORK A HARDSHIP

But the Attention of the Legisla-
ture Was Called to 1t, and In
stead of Rectifying 1t n Criticism
Was Leveled ant the State officer
for Allowing the Interest to Ac-
cumulate.
State Auditor Dunn will commence his
first sale of forfeited school lands the
middle Of next month and continue until
all the lands upon which interest Is de-
linquent have been sold Is the section of
the state designated in his recent circular.
Sales have been advertised for May 10
at Elk river and May 20 at Princeton.
Considerable pressure has been brought
to bear upon Mr.. Dunn to have him re-
cede from his position. but he asserted
yesterday that he would carry out his
original intention and resell all contracts
upon which interest was delinquent
Dates would be fixed within the next few
days which will keep the land depar tment
busy until late in Juno. The argument
has been made to the ctate auditor that
the foreclosure Of tho state contracts on
the lands will work great hardship on the
people In the agricultural sections Of tho
state Mr.. Dunn does not deny this, but
he stated yesterday that the law was
from the start wrong, as it charged the
farmers an altogether too high rate Of
interest. Those farmers that could afford
to do SO paid up the amount due on the
contract, and under the money reached
the state treasury it was difficult to
obtain investments In good securities
within the per cent rate required by
law. On the other hand those who had
purchased state lands and could not af-
ford to pay up the principal of the purch-
ase price were charged high rate Of in
terest, resulting in an accumulation Of
delinquent interest and penalties each
year.
Mr.. Dunn suggested a remedy to the
legislature, that in his opinion would
alleviate the whole question and put the
farmers on same basis with other bor-
roWers OF money by a reduction of the
rate from to 4 per cent. Mr.. Dunn
argues that In charging per cent on land
contracts the farmer is Disseminated
against when the money that he pays in
Is at once re-loaned at 3 per cent The
legislature took exception to the state
auditors action in allow ing the interest
to go unsolicited, but at the same time
of the certificates.
A. Benham, of Hamline, who has been
engaged ir locating settlers on state
lands for twenty-five years, stated to the
u few days ago that MIR. Dunn's
circular would effect the holders Of about
$4,00O,C00 werth of state land.
Mr.. Benham felt that an injustice was
being done in not giving the farmers
longer notice in which to make good their
arrears. Mr.. Benham said that few peo-
pie realized what the resale of the land
certificates will mean to the farmers Hv--
ing on state lands. He took a very
gloomy view of the situation and assert
ed that the sales would be a severe blow
to the agricultural interests Of the state
In some cases the farmers are many
years in arrears and Mr.. Benham gave it
as bis opinion that many would loose
their homes, as a result OF the sale. He
stated that lower rate Of interest was
greatly to be desired, but since the legis-
lature had refused to make any conces-
sion he thought years notice should be
given Under the rule made by the state
auditor ali holders Of certificates will
have until the day Of the sale to pay up
their interest and penalties.
AS the land Is scattered over all the
counties In the first five congressional
districts and 1t is impossible to determine
just how many settlers are effected until
list fer each county has been drawn
up by the state auditor. Mr.. Benham
thinks that his estimate of a valuation
Of 81 100000 will come pretty close to the
state auditors final figures.
During the year 1897 patents were ap-
piled for upon 2S,6s3 acres of school land
and $132,5S476 paid into the state treas
ury, and in 1898 the state received from
patents perfected $279, 66o 70, or a total of
$412, 40 for the two years. The money
was at once relcaned at 8 per cent, berg
per cent less than the rate charged the
farmers Of the state.