The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1906-03-03

Ignorance is no excuse for non-com-
pliance with law In the past it has
been the policy of the general land Office
to supply local land Offices with thou
sands of type written circular letters
making clear the law to would-be home
steadels. This. was not much of sue
cess. They were lost or misplaced and
the land Offices. were kept busy straight
ening out complications. The PRESS
some time since called attention to the
new arrangement. Every homesteader
now, when he gets the receivers dupli-
cate receipt. will find printed on the
back of such receipt the law relating to
the entry of public lands. This receipt
he is supposed to keep until final proof
is made and he has ample time to
aoquaint himself with its provisions. He
cannot plead ignorance of the law if
contest is instituted to cancel his entry
because he has not done all that he
should He has the law in black and
white in his possession and the state
ments are plain.
The new change of affairs is expected
not only to familiarize the homesteader
with the law. as relates to homesteads.
but in the natural course of events, it
is believed, will result in much less work
for the legal branch of the interior de-
partment. In other words, less cancel
lations ofhemestead entries are expected
as aresult of the new order of things.
We give below the full text. of the
instructions printed on the reverse of
receivers receipt and we, call special
attention to the sections relating to
fraudulent entries, bona fde residence
which means maintaining an actual
residence on the land to the exclusion of
a home elsewhere and that relating to
attempts to improperly obtain title under
the commutation law, which may result
not only in the cancellation of the entry
but in indictment and prosecution as
we'll.
There was time, perhaps, when the
land in this section was not so valuable
and in such demand for actual settle
ment, when hap-hazard residence
passed muster. But that time is past.
The general land Office is very particu-
lar and the local office must be, and it is
far better for the entryman to read up
and comply with the law than to ignore
it. see contest instituted and have his
entry cancelled.
TEXT OF RECEIVERS RECEIPT.
WHEN LANDS MAY BE CLEARED.
Timber land embraced in a home-
stead, or other entry not consummated,
may be cleared in order to cultivate the
land and improve the premises, but for
no other purpose. If, after clearing the
land for cultivation, there remains more
timber than is required for improvement,
there is no objection to the settler dis
posing of the same. But the question
whether the land is being cleared OF its
timber for legitimate purposes is ques-
tion Of fact which is liable to be raised
at any time. If the timber is sut and
removed for any other purpose it will
subject the entry to cancellation, and the
person who cut it will be liable to civil
suit for the recovery Of the value of said
timber, and also to criminal prosecution
under section 2461 of the Revised Stat
utes.
WHAT is REQUIRED OF SETTLER.
1t is required of the homestead settler
that he shall reside upon and cultivate
the land embraced in his homestead
entry for period of FIVE years from the
time Of filing the affidavit, being also the
date Of entry. Further, within twosyears
from the expiration Of the said Ave years
q he must file proof Of his actual settle
ment and cultivation, failing to do which,
his entry will be cancelled. If the set
tier does not wish to remain FIVE years
on his tract he can, at any time after
fourteen months, pay for it with cash
upon making proof Of settlement and
cultivation from<iate Of filing affidavit to
the time Of payment.
ss LANDS MUST. BE SUBJECT 70; ENTRY.
Any entry must be Cancelled if it is