The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-01-28
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
ACTS PROMPTLY
ASKS immediate Legislation on Land
Board Matter.
POINTS OUT THE DANGER
PEcURITlEs TURNED OVER nv
FORMER GOVERNOR WELLS.

4 Never again win the state hoard of
and commissioners place the securities
s 'f the board in the hands OF q nersen
Without requiring bond. even tbo,,sb
ne person hold so exalted a position as
ne goVernorship. Governor Cutler took
prompt action yesterday bv sending to
nc Legislature a communication call
hs attention TO the facts and calling
OF the immediate modification OF the
80, Inc Keeling is general that this
VII be followed by legislation before
ne close of the present session.
IN addltion TO this action of the gov
rhor' the board held a special meeting
yesterday and rescinded the action
iakfnS the governor custodian of the
#ecul1ties and placing that responsible
~ upon the secretary pending legisla-
8ion on the subject
The land board securities were turned
Ver in the afternoon by former Gov
rnor Wells TO Secretary Byron Groo
no recelpted for. They amounted TO
,076. 1886.
What Governor Cutler Says.
The communication of Governor Cut
IT TO the legislature was referred to
ne committee on public lands of each
81 ouse. The committee of the house
Ill hold meeting at noon Monday.
he communication is as follows:
l have the honor to communicate
Il 18th You regarding the statute of the
properties entrusted to the care of the
tate board OF land commissioners.
The report of the secretary of the
aand board, just received by me, shows
7hat there are in the possession OF the
BOARD at present bonds, mortgages,
tc-, to the amount Of over 81 .O00, 600.
lost OF this property consists of ne
Eotfable bonds. Each member of the
F0ard Is responsible for this property
the state, but am informed that by
&rder of the board the governor has
cen appointed direct custodian of this
property. In view of the fact that the
Governor is not under bonds to the
tate, and is not required by law to
the custodian of these securities,
3 his appears TO be a very unbusiness-
=. Ike way of conducting the affairs of
Inc state; and 1 do not wish to assume
he responsibility of being made the
custodian of these securities.
Secretary Handles Thousands.
THE secretary, Of the land board has
his possession at various times con-
derable sums of money. including the
payments made to the state on land
Purchases. interest, rental, etc, which
kloney belongs TO the state. In addi-
on to this he is custodian of sums
money made up of the deposit of %
s. snts per acre by each applicant for
Fl nd pending the patenting of such land
~ the state. mis- IS held by the sec
fatary OF the land board until the mat
3Pr OF patenting has been determined
&nd then the money is turned over to
be state or returned TO the applicant
the state fails TO get a patent. At
be close of 1904 the amount of this
ind was reported by the secretary as
&. 3S5. AZ.
IL viii be apparent to you that as
DC bond OF the secretary of the land
pard is only $4,000. the entrusting o.
large a sum TO him is inconsisteLit.
respectfully suggest that it woUGd be
ropsr for the law TO be amended inn
So -Sa-S@~sp-S rT9ke-the-~ 1terson.
81 g51N the secretary, responsible for
properties in the custody of the
bard. including cash. bonds. etc, and
make his salary high enough and
IS bond sufficient to cover his respon-
bilities.
since the above was written the
81 ate board of land commissioners has
II ct and rescinded the order making
be governor the custodian Of the
pnds. stocks, etc. and authorized the
Rlivery of all of them to the secretary
~ the board"