Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-02-10
INSTRUCTIONS
ARE RECEIVED
Register and Receiver of the U. S.
Land Office Get New Orders Con-
corning Final Proofs.
RESPECTING SPECIAL AGENTS.
All Cases Thought to be of a Fraudu
lent Character Must be Reported
to This officer.

The register and receiver of the To-
cal land office yesterday received the
following instructions from the com
missioner of the general land office:
l.. You will carefully observe the
manne and form governing the max
ing Of final proofs and require appli-
Giants to proceed strictly in accord
ance herewith.
.. Where, in the submission of fin.
al proof, il is shown otherwise than
by special agents report that such
final proof is fraudulent or illegal.
you will reject the same and give due
notice thereof in the usual manner.
3. Where you believe the proof to
be fraudulent or not made in good
faith and in violation Of the law, you
will suspend the proof and report the
case 10 the special agent of your dis
trict, if there be one. with a state
ment Of all material facts, including
the names and addresses of claimants
and OF witnesses and also your reason
for the suspension. Thereafter you
will regularly transmit the proof to
this office with a report OF the facts
in the case.
l.. With respect to final proofs TAX.
en- before YOU. no investigation by a
special agent will be required unless
requested by you or directed by this
office or where the special agent has
reason to believe such an investiga-
ton Is necessary. Should an inves-
tigation be deemed necessary. upon
motto" thereof you will suspend action
On the case and forward the proof to
this Office in the usual nne
8. In the absence of any investiga-
ton of any case in which final proof
is made before you. and if the proof
is complete. you will allow final re.
ward the record in the case TO this
office in the regular tanner.
q. With respect to final proofs TAX.
en- before other officers YOU will, upon
issuing notices Of intention to make
such proof, furnish a copy thereof to
the special agent in your district. II
there be one. Upon receipt thereof
the special agent will take such &C
tion as will serve the best interest of
the government.
Z. In any case where the special
agent Is satisfied without personal ex
animation that the claim is in good
faith he will so advise you. when you
will consider the proof in the usual
manner. II. on the other hand, he
has reason to believ" that the claim
for which final proof ia offered was
moi made in good faith or that for any
reason the law has not been complied
with. and thar investigation should be
made. he will advise your office. in
which event you will suspend the
proof upon its receipt and forward
the same to this office.
s. In all cases of final proof made
befor" other officers. YOU and the
special agent in your district. if there
be one, NUT agree as to the bona
fides of such proof. If you are agreed
at the claim is in good faith ant
that the law has been complied with
you will allow the claim to pass Il
entry. II you find to the contrary
you will suspend the proof and pro
coed as above indicated. In the cas-
OF disagreement between you and tn,
special agent. or either of you, 20,
will forward the entire record an,
await instructions.
9, With respect TO the officers 9th
err than yourselves before whom fina
proofs may he taken under the law
you will report to this office any 9th
er such officers who You have reaso,
TO believe fail to comply with the lay
IN the matter of final proofs or ar
charged with any misconduct in cor
nection with such proofs or compli,
ity in an effort To defraud the go,
eminent. Upon receipt of such repor
such action will be taken as will r,
suit in removing the cause of con
plant.
10. You will advise applicants d,
string TO make final proofs before oil
er officers that such a curse ma
cause delay in the completion of thei
claims, inasmuch as they may requ'.
examination by a special agent.
IL. With respect TO final proofs /
timber and stone cases, the crosse!
animation required in accordance wit
the rules in such cases must he r.
duced TO writing by the officers IN
fore whom final proof is taken, an
submitted as a part of the final proc
In all cases, however. the crosse,
animation, whether written or ora
must fully and completely test I'll
bona fides Of applicants. With r
spect thereto you will proceed on III
lines heretofore followed. as theI
must be NJ departure from the polio
of the Office in requiring II to be sa
isfactorily shown that the law h;
been complied with.
Perfect Confidence.
NnApa fharn t,CpI a. no N eaaIt,