Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-01-17
MONEY
DUE
OREGON
Governor Expects 500, ,OOO
From Government.

salem special.-Governor Chamber
lain has begun an Investigation whicl
be believes viii result in showing tha'
1.-The state Of Oregon is entitled to re
eeiye from the United States more thar
lslo0.OOC, and perhaps double that SUN
on account Of public land sales in this
state.
Under the provisions Of the act OF
congress admitting Oregon to the I'm
lion. certain grants were made to TINS
state, among them being the grant Of
the 18th and 36th sections Of land for
school purposes, certain other land for
university purposes and still other
Hands for public building purposes
The fifth grant was as follows:
"That 5 per centum Of the next pro-
eeeds Of sales Of all public lands lying
within said state which shall be sold
by congress after the admission Of said
state into the Union, after deducting
all the expenses incident to the same,
shall be paid to said state, for the pur-
pose Of making public roads and inter
nal improvements as the Legislature
shall direct"
This grant was a pure gift without
consideration, but was made in re-
turn for certain concessions made by
the state. Among these concessions
we're that property Of the United
States in Oregon shall not be taxed
and that property Of nonresidents
shall not be taxed higher than prop. |
erty Of residents. This condition was
expressed in the act making the grant,
and the state passed an act granting
on its part the concessions asked for
by the United States in return for its
grant Of lands and proceeds of sales.
The state has received the per
cent. Of the proceeds of actual sales
~ provided in the grant, but the
United States has been disposing of
arge areas of public land otherwise
han by sale for cash, which convey
,nces were not contemplated. at the
ime the state made its concessions TO
he government. Among these convey
,nces are the large selections made by
holders Of scrip, the allotments to In
iians, and some minor couveyances. 1t
: chiefly on account of the large areas
II public land given to corporations
holding scrip that the governor thinks
he state is entitled to more money
rom the government.
The Northern Pacific Railroad com
ANY, for example, held large amounts
4 scrip obtained by the creation of
crest reserves in Washington and
iontana Because some Of the eompa
Us worthless lands in those states
'ere placed in forest reserves, the com.
any was permitted 10 select in lieu
them large areas Of valuable timber
md IN Oregon. Other holders Of scrip
ere given tho same privilege, and :
nus hundreds OF thousands Of acres .
the most valuable lands were dis 4
'sed of by the government without I
ny cash being paid.
Governor Chamberlain takes the I
.ound that when the government ex. 2
.angcs rs lands in this state for lands
other states, Oregon has a right,
Ider the agreement with the United (
ates, 20 receive 8 per cent Of the Z
asonable value Of the lands so dis :
sed OF. He has found that under J
hat seems 90 be very similar condi. Y
ms IN one or two other states. the B
vernmeut has fulduei its oblic,
ms IN this respect and he expects 10 <
'~ that Oregon should be paid II, (
oporiion Of What the proceeds would :,
We been II the laads had been sol5 -
.tead ot exchanged or given awav :
will take the matter vp with the
per government officials az Wash
.ton.
ne'r the terms Of the grant from
government Jats money must bs
~ tur road building up fer i-,.-,.,l
'r''emeniS snd nader the state law
81 be apportionsJ anon. the several
mites according TO their area. rbel
'' = portion oi the proceeds Of ,ale,
l''s was $4,000 aaj IN 1904 500
Governor Chamberlain estimate.
q 'hr amount o. vtitA the star,
''iei oa astola, ot land 5.,pas,ll
'a thc maanef described f,r r,,,
Us past eouia uo, be les, than ln,
. wwU. A#w.# H.u ~. 49,.