Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-02-20
Looks Like Trouble.

perjuring themselves.
Rumors are adoat from various
sources that United States marshall
is expected in the county any day to
make arrests, and certain citizens are
contemplating trip to the U. 5.
court at Portland. In trying to chase
these rumors down and get at the
the bottom of the furry, we found a
difficult job, and have come to the
conclusion that there is nothing au-
thentic in the matter that can be
termed news. Ii such a thing should
occur, we predict gteat deal of
trouble. There probably has been al
ready a number of resolutions to act
ually establish residence on their
homesteads, or to relinquish them and
proceed no further. The numerous
possible things that might happen
should the government conclude to
invC stigate how the homestead law is
being interpreted in this county and
put in practice won be startling.
As matter Of news and general in
formation valuable to every citizen of
the United States, we print the follow
ing extract from the affidavit required
of person who files on u piece OF
land as homestead:
/, do solemnly swear,
that my said application is honestly
and in good faith made for the pur-
pose of actual settlement and cultiva-
ton, and not for the benefit of any
other person, or persons, or corpora
ton, and that / will faithfully and
honestly endeavor to comply with all
the requirements of law as to settle
ment, residence, and cultivation nec-
essary TO acquire title to the land APP
piled for; that | am not acting as
agent OF any person, corporation, or
syndicate to give them the benefit of
the land entered, or any part thereof,
or the timber thereon: that do not
apply to enter the same for the pur-
pose OF speculation, but in good faith
to obtain a home for myself, and that
| have not directly or indirectly made,
and will not make, any agreement or
contract in any way or manner, with
any person or persons, corporation or
syndicate whatsoever, by which the
title which / might acquire from the
Government of the United States
SHOULD inure, in whole or in part, to
the benefit of any person except my
self, and further, that since August
30, 1890, ! have not entered under the
land laws OF the United States, or filed
upon, quantity of land, agricult ural
in character, and not mineral, which,
with the tracts now applied for,
would make more than three hundred
and twenty acres"
When homesteader goes to make
final proof in support OF his claim to
certain tract Of land he has to an
swer to list of questions as TO his
actual residence and cultivation OF the
land as also have tie witnesses to
swear TO the answers to the same
questions. As warning to all again
st false answers, the following section
OF the T. S. statute is read to them:
Sec. 5392.-Every person who, hav-
ing taken an oath before competent
tribunal, officer, or person, in any case
in which law Of the United States
authorizes an oath to be administered,
that he will testify, declare, depose, or
certify truly, or that any written testi-
mony, declaration, deposition, or GER
tificate by him subscribed is true, will
| fGl, and contrary to such oath, states
or subscribes any material matter
which he does not believe to be true,
is guilty of perjury, and shall be pun
ished by fine OF not more than two
thousand dollars, and by imprison-
ment at hard labor not more than
five years, ard shall, moreover, there
after be incapable OF giving testimony
in any court Of the United States un-
til such time as the judgment against
him is reversed.
There are many theories and ideas
advanced as to how to circumvent or as
it is called, to comply with the law"
in the matter OF actual and bona fide
residence. OF these we have nothing
to say. But we do know that tech
nical construction OF 3 law very sell
Gom amounts to much in the courts