The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-26
AFTER STATE LAND
George Finn Lays the Case Down
to Secretary Hitchcock.
MUCH RED TAPE NECESSARY
The %Completion of the State Survey
Must First Be Provided For
by Congress.
From, The Journal Bureau. Room 20, Pess
i2sxiZ<Itp1, FuShE3l0toss- - e..

From, The Journal Bureau. Room 20, PesS
Building, Washington -
Washington, May 26.-George Finn, land
clerk in the state auditors Office, accom-
panied by Senator Clapp and Representa-
tive st evens, called on Secretary Hitch
cock to confer regarding the Indemnity
lands which the state wants IN lieu or
sections 16 and Sc on the Indian reserva-
lions of which it was deprived by The re-
cent decision of the supreme court. 1t is
within the discretionary power Of the sec
rotary to permit the state Ito make these
selections and the matter is to be set
tied perhaps tomorrow with Land Com
missioner Hermann and Judge Vandeyen-
ter, assistant attorney general for the
interior department, provided Secretary
Hitchcock is willing. 10 - = .t'+
Mr.. Finn made an interest ing and COM
prehensive statement to Secretary Hitch
cock regarding the situation in which
Minnesota is placed as result of the su-
preme court decision. There are 30o,3
acres in sections 16. and Sc of the Min
nesota Indian reservations just. referred
to, and until the supreme court ACTED, it
was supposed the state would be entitled
to them. Indemnity had been reserved for
1887 acres before the action of the COURT
and there remain 291,53S acres yet to be
provided for by indemnity selections.
There are in Minnesota to-day 1864 ,685
acres of vacant government land of which
1,07S,9S8 have not been surveyed. Near
ly all of it is in the Dulush and Crook
ston districts. There are 10000 acres of
unsurveyed township in the state and this
is increased to 100000 if the northwest
angle is added. Adding also the acres
surveyed, but not yet approved, the total
reaches 100000 acres. It is the desire
of the state audit or's office to have a
bill passed through congress this session
providing for the immediate completion
of the survey of public lands, which will
enable the state at an early day to take
it's Indemnity sections and recover from
the i'll effects of the supreme court de-
cision. ~. ~.
If Secretary Hitchcock, authorizes the
indemnity selection as il is assumed he
will do, land If congress will promptly
| authorize the completion ,of the surveys
| of public lands in the state, the effects OF
| the supreme court decision will nck be
/ lasting or serious. Mr. Finn will remain
| here several days, or until the matt err has
| been carefully presented to all interested
parties; The Minnesota delegation pro-
poses to gelt behind the bill for the COM
pletion of the survey of lands and push
it as rapidly as possible. 1t is believed
that it can be passed.
The Hansbrough Bill.
There is considerable talk at the cap
| fol about the proper name for the pend
ing irrigation bill, which has passed the
| senate and is soon to be considered by
the house. Friends of the National Irri-
cation association claim It should be
| known as he National Irrigation associa-
tion BILL as twas suggested by that
body. At "the same time, however, the
bill was drafted by Senator Hansbrough
and It's details were worked out by him.
BY many people in congress it has thus
far been called the Hansbrough bill.
The Increase of Salaries.
| Reports have been printed in the east
ern papers that Representative Morris wa
preparing bill to increase the salaries
of senators and representatives from S., OO
to 81, 500 year. Judge Morris denies an,
such intention, although believing in tn.
| justice of the proposition.
w. w. Jermane.