Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1904-07-02
LAND COURT RECORDS
Turned Over TO the u. 5. Sur.
VeyOT General at Santa
Fe for Safekeeplne.
ARE VALUABLE FOR REFERENCE

Yesterday was the last day OF the
existence of the United States court
oi private land claims. Tho records.
and They are of great value FROM n
judicial and historical standpoint.
we're turned over by trcnu L. Chavca.
clerk Of The court. 20 the United states
ruryoyor general in New Mexico nt
Santa Fo They were 90 have boon
bundled up and sent Co the iniu.icr
department nt Washington. according
20 the following letter.
June 20. igOt
THE Clerk of the Court of Private
Land Claims. Santa Re. Now Mex.
leo.
"sir-By the act Of congress OF
March 3. 1891. t2g stats. S5D by
which the court OF private land
claims was created. and by the sup.
elemental legislation extending the
life of me court. 90 was provided that
when the powers and funct ions OF the
court should cease. an papers. files
and records I'm the possession of said
coult belonging 90 any other public OF
flee Of the United states should be re-.
turned tu such office, and an other pa
pers. files and records IN the posses
sion OF or appertainlng 90 said court
should be returned 90 and filed IN The
department OF the interior
ny tho act Of April rs. 1904. t33.
Stats fs1l @ was provided that Ger.
tain functions of tho court should de-.
yolvo upon the commissioner OF the
general land office. when tho powers
and functions of the court should
cease.
Under these provisions of law the
records apporiainlng 90 the court
which DO aot properly belong 10 any
other public office OF the United states
should be transmitted to this office. az
the expiration OF the life of the court
on the 3oth Of the present month. aud
therefore. have tho honor 90 request
that the necessary action be taken by
the proper officer OF the court 20 carry
ont these provisions Of the law while
70 Is necessary that an the records be.
longing 10 the court. and which DO not
belong or appertaln 20 any other pub.
llc office Of the United states should
be transmitted here Il is equally nee
ossary that no records should be trans.
mittod here which belong 10 some 9th.
or public office.
u have addressed a letter 90 the
United States surveyor general at
Huutu IL. NFu.afrUs4 H,Fs, g.. 800 A. a. ~
court such assistance az he can. 60
wards offocting tho execution of the
law pertaining 10 this matter
Very respectfully.
-. II. TIMpLE.
Acting commissioner"
"P SIT q suggested that the rec.
crds after being properly wrapped.
2 ay DO transmitted by mail IN sacks
procured from tho city postoffico"
When Matt O. Reynolds Of 81
Louis. United States attorney with
the court, arrived az Santa Re. and
found what was 20 be- done with the
records. he interested himself and
wired the commissioner OF the general
land office setting forth that Santa Fe|
was the best place for the records. as
IN the future Il was very probable that
reference would often have 20 bo made
10 thom and that they would De need.
cd in judicial proceedings. affecting
land titles IN New Mexico for many
years 10 come, The commissioner ovi.
IDENTIFY Acknowledged tho strength and
correctness Of Mr. Reynolds views
and wired Mr. Chaves. clerk Of the
court "a follows.
Washington. ID C.. June 2s, 90t
CLERK Court Of Private Land Claims
Santa Fe. New Mexico.
Referring 20 office letter. twenty
fifth. and Mr.. Reynolds letter. fif
teenth. deliver records 90 surveyor
general tsignod)
-. II. Tlmple.
Acting CommiHal0nor."
Mr. Reynolds idea is the correct one
and his action was very timely and
proper, as should litigation arise and
should lt become necessary 90 consult
or examine the records. IA regard to
titlos 90 New Mexico land grants. this.
can and will be- promptly done as the
records will be on file and ia charge
of the United States surveyor general.
at Santa Re-