Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-03-18
THAT REFUND TO EARLY
SETTLERS ON SCHOOL LANDS

To the Editor.
The sentiment expressed In the
state constitutional convention was
that settlers ON school lands prior To-
the United States surveys thereon
sh ould have the right to purchase
their holdings at s1,25 per acre. or at
greatly reduced price from present
value. but finally referred the subject
to the lie legislature.
The first state legislature, 1886 en-"
acted that these settlers should DC
permitted to- purchase their holdings
at 'one-fourth the appraised value
In 1897, these lands were appraised at
current value, and the state LAND
board held that all settlers thereon
that could not prove settlement prior
10 the time the United States survey
ors drove their first stakes upon satd
lands could not have this speciai
preference n number of such set
tiers. principally in Utah county. made
this proof and secured their hoidings
al ''oile-fourth OF the appraised value,
but the ma ority of school land OWN
ers held that the United States surveys
made in the early 5o's were not COM
pIeted and in effect before the plans
and notes" thsof were filed IN the 10
cal United States land office establish
cd March /, 1863. This position Is
upheld by the courts. But during 1897
and 9S. the land board being very
persistent iM its cons truction of the
law of 1895. urged all these settlers
TO take their holdings at the full APP
praised price (upon which basis all
their certificates had been written ana,
ia many cases issued), or lose all their
rights to purchase these holdings
Some compiled, but many refused:
Sonle had their holdings forfeited
and sold to others, while the majority
stood npOn their rights. In the early
part of 1892 a number of this de-
termined class" after their repeated
appeals TO the land board had been
rejected. decided to take the matter
into tho courts, but as the third s'ate
legislature was in session, ITS members
offered and did enact a law (Chap $50
granting the special preference TO all
settlers on school lands prior to March
1. 1862 and further provided that
where lands thifs settled had been SOLO
by the state for full appraised value
or certificates had been issued on the
full price basis. such settlers and pur-
chasers should have their rights ana
money restored to them, after their
holdings had been fully paid. by Hing
their claims and proof before the sue
ceedIng legisla lures.
Thereafter. during the year 1899, q
great NUMBER or THESE settlers luI-
chased their holdings at 'one-fourth
the appraised value" others took 10
years. time at the fun appraised value
to- pay for their lands, When full pay
ment has been made these settlers
have filed their claims and proof and
recovered tl1rae-fourths of the pur-
chase price paid, and In some cases,
the interest paid. II is estimated that
nine -tenths Of such settlers have all
ready secured their rights and the re-
manning one-tcnth Is appealing to the
present legislature for the same rights
accorded their neighbors in the same
class.
Some members OF the legislature
and some state officers. however feel
disposed to reject these claims but
it must he because they have not fully
gone into the facts and merits of the
matter.
No citizen Of Utah and. least OF all.
state officers and mem beers OF its Leg
fsature would have our fair state
'repudiate" these Just and leFal -
legations entered into with her early
settlers
These settlers are NOT asking a do
nation OF public funds but only for
the return to them OF their own
mon ey. according to state obligation
enacted into law.
Respectfully submitted by
INTERESTED PARTIES.
Salt Lake City, Utah. March Ii, 1907,