The Lamar register., 1900-10-17

acter and number, who acquired title
to land in the county under the home
stead and pre-emption laws and at
tempted to make homes by tilling the
soil. After repeated failures Oh ac-
count of drOuth. this idea was practi-
cally abandoned and many of the set
tiers in turn abandoned their homes,
not even paying taxes upon the land to
which they had acquired title. So rap
Id was the depopulation that in few
years after the egress began, there re
manned in the county II population of
not exceeding three or four hundred
families, almost all of whom We're en-
gagged to II greater or less extent in the
live stock industry. Upon the homes
that these families had acquired, and
upon their small personal holdings fell
the burden Of taxation for state and
county purposes. Around them lay
vast amount Of open range. the title to
which was in the government, and
which they could not acquire under any
of the existing government land laws at
any price, as their rights had been cN-
hausted Year after year they saw
large herds of cattle and sheep turned
into their county upon the open range
to devour the range to which they
thought they were entitled. These
after the time for listing property for
taxation has passed, thereby avoiding
their just proportion of the county bur
dens, Notwithstanding the fact that
they are getting the benefit of the
range, to which the resident property
owners feel that they are justly enti-
tied.
In my annual visits to the comfy in
the discharge of my official duties,
many citizens have frequently convers-
ed with me upon this condition of af-
fairs. and have expressed their desire
for some relief During some OF such
conversations | suggested to them n
plan of procuring legislation which
would enable them to purchase these
lands. so far rs they We're able, and as
sist them in inviting capital into the
county to purchase the lands. over and
above that which they desired for
themselves and thereby divcst the gov
ernment of title and vest 1t in people
who would stock the same aud become
tax payers but upon the real aud per-
sonal property which derive the benc-
fits therefrom. This met the appro-
batiOn of almost every citizen of Raca
county with whom | conferred upon
the subject, and to the end that they
real estate holdings and control Inc
property within the county and make
it all pay its just proportion OF state
and county burdens. | drafted the bill
in question and sent it to you. which
you kindly consented to introduce, and
for which am satisfied II large major
ity of the people of Baca county feel
grateful.
1t would be well to advise the public.
and the governor in particular. that this
bill is not sleeping, to be pressed to sue
cessful legislation later on, but that the
same has been reported upon adversely
by the public land committee, and |
presume 1t is forever dead.
1t will he observed that this bill, in
stead Of being designed to freeze out
the citizens of the county, expressly and
particularly protects and gives n decid-
ed advantage to every resident land
owner in the county Section 8 thereof
provides as follows: "SectiOn o. That
every citizen of the United States living
in the said Baca county, and owning
land therein, shall have. and is by this
act granted. n preference right for the
period of sixty days from the taking eff
feet of this act. to purchase at private
sale. at the appraised value thereof.
land adjacent TO and adjoining the
land owned by him or her. to the
the number of acres owned in fee by
such person: all purchases at private
sale. as provided by this section shall
be in legal subdivisions of not less than
forty acres"
On the contrary of a provision for
cash payment being intended to mill
tate against the residents of the coun-
ty. section 10 of the bill provides that
said residents shall within the said six
ty days file with the register of the
land office their written application to
purchase the land. etc.
Section II provides: st shall be the
duty of said register, on receiving and
filing said application. to withdraw
the public lands therein described from
entry under the public land laws, or
from sale to any person other than said |
applicant. his heirs. executors or ad- |
until the expiration of |
one year after the return of the report |
of the appraisers. as provided for in |
section 6 hereof
Section ~ provides: "That every PEP |
son to whom n preference right is |
granted by this act. and who has filed |
his application as herein provided. |
may at any time within one year after
the return of the appraisers. as afore-
said, and upon his proving to the sat
his residence, citizenship and owner
ship purchase said
land at the appraised value thereof"
Thus it will be observed that while
non-residents-large cattle syndicates.
rs the interviewer would have the pub
ic believe-are subjected to competitive
bids, inter sese. and are required to pay
,ash for their purchases. the residents
Of the county are permitted to buy at
The lowest appraised value. without
and may at any time with
n sixty days after the enactment of
he bill. designate their preference for
purchase. and then have the period of
)ne year from the return of the ap-
)raiser's report in which TO complete
heir purchase and make their pay
nent. They are not only given the adj
of the relief from competitive
but are given at least one
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