Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-01-15


ing sac, 1881 The leases cover graz
ing lands with few insignificant excep-
lions. The selections made are
largely OF grazing lands, practically the
only other lands taken being those em-
braced IN Accomplishments Of homestead
and desert entries,
The general land office at Washington
has acted more promptly than formerly
on State selections, having approved or
patented within the two years 343,25s
acres, the patents being distributed
among the respective grants.
Since my last previous biennial mes
sage sales OF State lands at public auc-
ton have been held ia Sanpete, Emery
Davis. Willard, Cache, Weber, Iron,
Washington. Rich and Utah counties
the total offerings In these counties
amounting TO 1Ss, 3i6. 81 acres, and the
sales aggregatlng 81 ,926 acres. The sales
OF State lands for the years lSsg-ls
were 1856. sos 20 acres and the price $780,
SEQ, making the total sales from all
grants to the close OF the year 1900, 49,
032 acres and the total price. Sl,O6l,tU,
The commissioner OF the general land
Office has courteously permitted me to
designate areas Of unsurveyed lands for
public survey without cost to the State,
and under the advice OF the state board
Of land commissioners ! have In each
year designated tracts for survey TO
the limit Of the government approprla-
ton for surveys in this State. The state
thus acquires a preference right TO Sc
lect these lands after survey, and THIS
right has been judiciously exercised
upon the filing OF the official plats in
the United states land Office.
BY act OF the Legislature, approved
February "a, 1899 the State board OF
lsnd commissioners was required 70
'1entert ,esfsieisHt Investments OF the
University " Utah permanent land fund
into cash and loan the diversity $780,
900. The board OF regents gave notice
OF its requirement OF the money early In
1900 and the securities were converted
and the money loaned at the periods re-
quested. Instead OF dlsposing OF the
University securities 10 outside parties
they were purchased as investments OF
the other land grant funds, the result
beng the suspension during the latter
part OK the year Of farm loans and the
purchase Of such lands az the State
board Of land commissioners Is author
lied to buy. The loan 10 the University
having been completed In December
1900. there was a resumption Of farm
loans. II Is believed that the funds Will
be sufficient 10 take all safe farm loans
that may be offered and TO buy such le-
Ultimate local bonds as Il may be
deemed wise 10 purchase 1t Is proper
here 20 say that the investments here
t0fOre made by the State board Of land
commissioners have proven TO be safe,
no losses Of principal or interest having
occurred and no legal proceedings been
necessary 20 make collections. Lists Of
the investments will be found In the an
nual reports by the secretary OF the
board.
By the provisions OF the act OF the
Legislature above referred 10, the State
board OF land commissioners was re-
qulred 10 take charge and possession Of
the lands and buildings formerly occu-
pied by the University Of Utah when the
University was permanently located on
the site granted bv Congress. The
buildings and grounds were turned over
20 the state board OF land commission
ers on December LIST, 1900 the same be-
ing conveyed 10 the State by proper
deed. Arrangements were at once
made for the temporary care Of the
property. The buildings and grounds
were appraised and notice was pub
HNHtU 0Hklluk AlltHi at RuHhN NdA' ~
the highest bidder az not less than the
appraised value on January 70. 1901 No
bids We're presented. II will be neces-
sary for you TO make provision for the
care and custody Of the premises until
such time as they can be advantageous
ly disposed Of
In November. 1900, the commissioner
OF the general land office. with the APP
prevail Of the secretary OF the interior,
withdrew from settlement, entry, sale
or other disposal all the present unap-
propriated public lands within great
area, extending from township north
TO township IA SOUTH and from ranges
west TO east. the withdrawal being
nominally for a forest reserve, but was
really made at the solicitation OF par
ties ostensibly as a protection for the
water supply of certain cities and
towns While all good citizens Will
cheerfully acquiesce In and applaud
any action looking TO the proper pro-
lection OF the water supply for our cit
les, this. reservation Is so dispropor-
tomato 10 the benefits 10 be derived,
and effects benefcially such a small
area as compared with the extensive
tracts as may affect the mountain
drawal appear almost ludicrous. Good
VIII follow limited reservation, the
withdrawal being confined TO such
tracts as may effect the mountain
streams from which the water supply
of the towns and cities Is derived; but
10 withhold from entry or selection such
a vast area as has been designated by
the government is certain to work great
hardship on our citizens In depriving
them OF grazing grounds and In taxi
ing from them the right and privilege
OF making settlement and homes upon
lands which can In no manner affect
the water supply OF cities. In my opin-
ion, this reservation was made under
a misapprehension Of the situation.
and the withdrawal should be revoked
as 10 all the lands withheld save the
comparatively small tract which may
properly be held from entry and settle
ment Furthermore this reservation,
and others which are liable TO follow.
will materially reduce the value OF the
state land grants bv compelling the
State 20 select comparatively worthless
lands In remote parts. / will be pleased
TO cooperate with the Legislature In
such action as may be deemed proper
10 secure a revocation OF the withdraw
al as 10 all lands not necessarily with
held for the benefit OF the citizens.