Williams news., 1903-12-19
OUR PUBLIC LAND LAWS
Their Repeal Would Appear To
 Make Graft Easier.

In discussing, in the senate, the Quarles bill, which provides for the repeal of the desert, stone and tim bers acts, Senator Hansbrough among other things, said:
 'tLet us see what the effect of the repeal of these three important land statutes would be. The last con- gress passed national irrigation law, by the term of which the pro- ceeds from the sales of public lands are set aside for the construction of irrigation works. The public land receipts come wholly and exclusive ly from the sale of lands under the three statutes which the Quarles bill would repeal. The enactment of the bill into law would therefore put a sudden end to national irri- gation. The amendment to the desert land act, and the timber and stone act, as proposed by the bill which I expect to introduce, would increase the revenue from this source and thus further the project of national irrigation.
 "Again, the repeal of these laws would greatly retard settlement up- on the public domain of the Uni ted States, and turn the stream of home-seekers- a tive Americans and immigrants alike-to the Ca nadian provinces, where the land laws are much more liberal than are our own. Under the Canadian statutes no residence is required for the first two years after entry, ex- cept during the crop season. This allows the settler to absent himself at least six months in the year, affording him opportunity to earn little money by engagingin other pursuits, and the settler may com mute his entry in cash after eight cen months residence.
 "Let me call attention to another feature of the case, and 1 do so without desire to reflect upon the motives of any one. Over 5O,OOO,- 900 acres of land have been granted by the government to the land grant railroads. The greater part of these lands remain undisposed of. The repeal of our land laws would undoubtedly double their value. Furthermore, under the act of June 4, 1897, known as the lieu land forest reserve selection act, many millions of acres of scrip were authorized. This scrip may be located on any of the public lands of the United States. Ap- plication for more than 3,0O0,OOO acres under this scrip have already been filed in the General Land Office. Repeal of our land laws would naturally enhance the value of the scrip, which is held ex- clusively by two or three corpora tions.
 "In brief, I do not believe it wise to reverse our land policy. We rather should find the defects in ex- isting laws and remedy them."
 By vote of 735, to 336, twenty one more than the necessary two thirds, the tax payers of Phoenix have authorized the common coun- cil to issue bonds to the amount of $3o0,000 for the purpose of con- structing such system as will re- suit in credit to the municipality as we'll as the citizens, and also furnish protection from fire, and supply the water for all needs and purposes.
 A Washington dispatch under date of Dec 12, says: The repub- lican national convention will be held in Chicago, beginning at noon on June 21 next. The republican national committee reached this conclusion today and adjourned subject to call. Pittsburg and St. Louis were rivals of Chicago for the convention. Each city was well represented in oratory before the committee and each had cash offers l 1