The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1907-06-26

Whereas. The purposes of this con-
vention are to bring about the great
est possible development of the West;
and
Whereas. There are 2O,0O0,000 acres
of allotted land in Indian Territory be-
longing to the allottees. which, under
the present laws, cannot be leased or
disposed of except under the rules and
regulations of the Interior Department,
and
whereas, Such lands cannot be
taxed for any purpose. and the ques-
|tion of taxation is a most important
one in the development of the new
state of Oklahoma; therefore be 1t
Resolved. That we favor the immedi-
ate removal of the restrictions on the
sale and lease of all allotted lands in
Indian Territory. except the home
lsteads of full-bloods. and that until an
act of Congress has been passed pro-
viding for such alienation we earnestly
request of the honorable secretary OF
the interior the most liberal construc-
ton of the laws now in force to the
end that restrictions may be removed
in individual cases under the authority
given him by Congress for that pur-
pose.
Resolved. That we affirm the right OF
the several StdleS W Coitioi thV "p
preparation. use and distribution for IT.
rigation or other beneficial uses of the
waters of all public non-navigable
streams within their respective Dor
ders. and that the act of Congress APP
proved March 3, 1901. granting the
right of way through and upon the pub
lie domain of the United States for
bitches. canals and reservoirs for the
purposes of irrigation and all other
beneficial uses should be literally con-
strued to the end that the construction
of such canals and reservoirs by pri-
vate enterprise may be encouraged.
Resolved, That in view of the pres
ent urgent demand for coal in the in
terror states of the West we urge the
executive department of the govern
ment forthwith to modify any existing
orders preventing bona fide filings on
any of the public coal lands. and to
permit such filings to be made and al
low the same to proceed to patent
upon such reasonable Investigation as
may be necessary to guard against
fraud in the same.
We rejoice in the passage OF the ma
tional irrigation statute. and that un'
der it the nation has embarked upon
the task of reclaiming the waste
places to become the sites of fruitful
farms and thrifty communities.
The homestead settler is the first
and most important beneficiary of our
jpublic land system. Every effort
should be made to encourage and pro
! tect the man who goes into the wilder
ness to carve out a habitation and a
support for himself and his family.
I These pioneers are the forerunners Of
civilization and compose the sturdy
citizenship of the Republic. In the ad.
ministration of our public laws and in
the making of new laws 1t must never
be forgotten that the bona fide home
stead settler is the central figure
around which our public land system
is and should continue to be main
tanned
Resolved. That we urge upon Con
gress the necessity of the enactment
of law that will empower the secre-
tary of agriculture to appoint proper
inspectors of the forestry service, who
shall have power to summon wit
nesses. administer oaths and take tes-
ltimony in the Investigations of any al
LEGGED wrongs in forest reserve man
lagement
Whereas, There has been heretofore
granted to the several states of the
United States certain sections of pub
lie land for common school purposes
In each of said states; and
Whereas. In some Of said states for
est reserves have been established
which have absorbed all of the lands
of said states within said reserves:
and
Whereas. All remaining valuable
public lands within said states have
become reserved from sale, or other
cd hot
no land remains from which said
states may receive their apportion
ment as originally designed of lands
Ito which said states would have be
come entitled but for the establish
ment of said forest reserves within
said states; now. therefore. be 1t
Resolved, That Congress legislate
appropriately with respect to lands
within Said reserves within said states
so that each state so deprived thereof
may receive its full quota of lands. OF
the equivalent thereof. for the pur'
poses for which the same were origi
nally coded.
Resolved, That all inchoate rights in
tiated by any individual or state upon
IT pertaining to any of the public
Hands be recognized and protected by
the government, and that any such in
iividual or state be permitted to per
feet their or its title in keeping with
he laws of the United States and the
rules and regulations of the Depart
ment of the Interior and the general
land office in force and existant at the
time of the initiation of such rights
expressly excepting lieu land scrip.
We believe that in justice to the
people of the states wherein forest re
serves are situated and are not desired
and are excessive, the reservations
should forthwith be reduced within
reasonable limits, whether the land
restored contains timber or not.
We recommend that reports of spe.
cial and secret service agents of the
land department and of the Depart
ment of Agriculture be made under
oath and that Congress shall provide
suitable penalties for false state
ments.
Resolved, That the thanks OF the
convention are due to Hon. Henry A.
Buchtel, governor of the state of Colo
RADIO, for his action and aid in con
vening this assembly of states. and to
tho several officers of the United