The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-01
HIToHcooK Is PLEASED.
He Will See to It That No Homestead
Rights Are Transferred.

Washington, Aug. 1.-Secretary
Hitchcock viii leave the capital this
evening for Boston, Mass. He will re-
main there until Sunday evening and
then go to Canada for a three weeks
fishing trip It will be recalled that
the secretary had an invitation two
weeks or more ago to engagein such an
excursion with Boston friends, but he
declined in view of his desire to be at
his desk until all of the details of the
opening Of the new country in the
southwest had been disposed of. The
secretary says everything has passed
off satisfactorily, and he feels free to
leave the work of the department in
charge of assistants.
The secretary expresses keen SatlS-
faction with the manner in which the
departments plan has worked out in
the opening.
The secretary thinks this argues we'll
for the future of the territory. The at
titude of the people would indicate that
instead of the spirit of bitterness and
strife which has retarded the immedi-
ate growth of communities in previous
openings the new territory will have
the advantage Of a good start In the
way of order and lack OF occasion for
litigation.
About 80 applications have come to
the depart rtment for the location of
town SITES and it is expected authority
Will be granted within the next few
udHS. ne secretary mas given his per
sonal attention TO them, and will leave
the final adjustment and decision In the
hands of Mr.. Ryan, assistant secret Try
of the interior. In deciding upon the
tOwnsite location the department has
not wished to be severe. It has care
fully investigated all applications in
every connection to determine whether
the proposition involved IS intended to
permanently develop. the country. or
whether actuated solely by speculative
methods The aim of the government
from the first has been to eliminate
speculation from the opening. The de-
partment has desired that the country
be settled by people determined to re-
main on the land and improve it. create
homes for themselves and become use
ful and permanent citizens of the ter
ritory.
TRANSFERS NOT ALLOWED.
All accounts of the value of the first
chances secured in the drawing being
worth several thousand dollars are dis
counted at the department Officials do
not think that the holders of the choice
homesteads viii be able to dispose Of
their holdings to advantage, even
though they find purchasers. It is re-
allied that in the past it has been the
custom OF homesteaders who secure
homesteads and get offers for them to
make an arrangement with the prOSpec-
tive purchaser by which he can file
on the land at the moment he re-
lnquishes his claim. To do this there
must De Qeun1le understanding or
coilusiOn between the two parties in
interest 1t is exceedingly probable the
homesteaders who attempt anything of
this sort in the new country will find
the present opening is different in this
respect from other openings The de-
partment will not countenance the
transferring from one individual to an
other. The holder makes an affidavit
that he expects to improve and live on
the homestead acquired. He will be
faced with this affidavit if he attempts
to dispose of the mnd
All of the circumstances surrounding
the relinquishment of holdings will be
carefully noted, viii amy attempts to
immediate enter upon such relinquished
claims All transfeSS must be passed upon
nnally IN the office of the secretary OF
the interior The reason they may have
been successfully put through in the past
may have been that the supervision OF
the department has been purely perfume
tory II that be so, 1t will not be the case
IN the future The secretary will carefully
investigate all ACCOMPLISHMENTS and all
new filings or attempts at new filings.
and both parties may find themselves in
preo1caments. with returns to either.
The law was most specific in stating that
the opening was TO be under such rules
and regulations as the secretary should