The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-11-24


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for a transfer of real estate. Lessees
residing within the territory will be
allowed TO rent for a single season
such portion Of their land as is deem
ed advisable by the board. upon ap-
pHcation"
During the year 303 new public
school houses were erected, making
2.1o2 school houses in the territory
The law providing for separate schools
for whites and negroes has operated
satisfactorily and the governor reports
that a better feeling prevails than ev-
or before in the territory.
The total amount Of land reserved
for the future state of Oklahoma und.
er the provisions of the various acts
opening the portions Of Oklahoma TO
settlement aggregates 2,O55,OOO acres.
practically all of which is leased for
agricultural and grazing purposes and
the revenue from same for the year
1898 viii amount to probably s375,O
or an average of over 81 900 day
when the privilege of renting the
school lcnds was first granted 10 the
territory il was considered a matter
Of little moment, but the caring and
looking after these lands providing
for their leasing, and The collection Of
the rentals has now come to be one
of the most important functions of the
| territorial government The respons-
ibility Of directing the carrying on OF
this work imposed by congress upon
the governor, secretary and superin-
tenjent OF public instruction has be-
come quite a burden when added 10
their other official duties and requires
much time and attention. The school
land department. as administered by a
secretary working under the direction
OF the board, is now one of the most
4 important parts of the territorial gov
ernment handling large sums Of
money, dealing with nearly 5000
lessees, ami entailing constant super
vision and watchfulness to prevent
the abrse OF the lands and the robbing
Of the future state by the Illegal cutt-
ing Of timber. quarrying OF stone, and
removing of mineral and other valua-
bic deposits.
While in a few instances lands
have been leased for townsite and
manufacturing purposes, the board has
maintained as a rule that the intent
was to lease these lands only for agri-
cultural and grazing purposes. and
has insisted that the timber. stone,
clay, cement, and mineral was a part
Of the land, and consequently intend
ed TO be reserved for the future state
of Oklahoma and not subject TO re-
moval az this time.
Rental for Leases.
THE rapid development; of the west
ern portion Of the territory has result
ed In the dividing up Of the leases
originally made there for grazing
purposes into smaller tracts. When
ever this is done the rental has been
nxed on the basis OF agricultural land,
and the revenue for the territory IL
constantly growing larger In the west.
'The legislature AZ its session the
past winter provided for a special dis
tribution from the school land fund
!. 70 the school children a the new
coun les who were missed In the dis
tribution last year. owing 20 q tech
nical failure 10 comply with the law.
The amount SO distributed aggregated
Sse 500 %. which cut down the per
capita distribution 10 be made to The
entire Territory this month consider
ably. hut Il Is matter y Justice hat
this should he done and there q 20
cause for complain frcr fne ether
districts Who had tho benefit oi the