The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1911-07-22
VOL. xxxv
A Candidate Who Proposes Something
Practical.

presume you are aware that am
u candidate for the position of Reg
lister of the State Land Office in the
coming Democratic primary, and !
write to ask that you give me your
earnest support in my candidacy.
Ii elected know that you and your
friends will not be disappointed in
the work that l will accomplish for
the people and the State Of Louisi-
ana.
For nearly ten years was Receiver
o Public Moneys of the U. s. Land
Office at New Orleans, La, having
been appointed by the late President
Cleveland, and ever since have de-
voted myself to the practice OF land
laws. am familiar not only with
the U. S. land laws, but with the
Acts Of Congress relating to the pub
lie lands granted to the State of Lou
isiana. am thoroughly acquaint-
ed with plats of survey and Land
Office records, and l will endeavor to
push vigorously the selections and
approvals of the swamp lands to
which our State il entitled.
BY plats Of survey of the Survey
ors General of the q. S., and their
Deputies. the area of land surface in
the State of Louisiana is estimated
al 29,061, 760 acres. According to
the reports of the Interior Depart
ment the surveyed lands in the State
amount to %, 176, 996 acres, leaving
unsurveyed Jan. 1, 1911, 1884, 764
acres.
The swamp and overfowed lands
in the State of Louisiana, rendered
thereby unfit for cultivation, were
granted to the State of Louisiana by
Acts Of March 2, 1S49 and Sept. %,
1850. These grants were in PRESENT.,
and operated as to their respective
dates to invest the State of Louisi-
ana with equitable title to all such
lands which remained unsold at the
date Of the acts. The swamp land
acts were passed 81 and 81 years
ago, and the Government has not as
yet approved or patented all OF the
lands. In fact, the State has not us
yet made all its selections under the
grants.
The Interior Department has
greatly neglected the State of Lou
isiana. 1t has at this time more
than 1854, 764 acres yet unsurvey.
ed, and |, among many other citi-
zens, believe that the u. s. Govern
ment should finally adjust the States
claims, and that surveys should be
be made by the g. s. Government,
and that the State should be allowed
to make selections of all lands CON-
ing under the swamp land grants.
In addition to this, the State of Lou
isiana IL entitled to indemnity for a
number of acres, of land, and this
question, which lays dormant in the
Interior Department, should be agi-
tated. Should be the choice of the
people as Register of the State Land
Office, Iexpect to revive this question.
All of the lands in the State oil
Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas
have been surveyed by the U. s. Gov.
ernment, and these respective States
have been granted the lands given
under Special Acts, and each of these
States had more land urea than Lou
isiana. ! think it is high time that
the State of Louisiana should be
given her just dues, and my greatest
efforts and endeavors would be to
that effect. This question is one OF
vital Importance TO the people oil
the State, and should be handled by
one with expert knowledge in land
matters.
have tried to be the friend OF the
people of your parish, and / hope
they will in turn be my friends and
supportrne in nv ASPIRATIONS.
Yours truly.
CHARLES P. JOHNSTON.
Ee~s Nd with uss sfo