Volume 9 , Issue 23

1905 - School Land Matter Settled

This 1905 article was taken from The Alva Pioneer, Alva, O.T., Woods County, Friday, October 13, 1905. The Alva Pioneer was successor to The Alva Star, Alva Chronicle and The Alva Republican. The headlines read: "School Land Matter Settled"

The territorial school land office, the secretary of interior and the lessees, it is given out, have adjusted their differences to the satisfaction of everybody. It was found that no strict rule of preference right of only 160 acres could be observed in the grazing district west of range 13, lessees in the three new counties, whose leases were to be renewed the first of last January, but were held up pending the discussion of the new rule of cutting down holdings to a preference right of only 160, and to whom afterwards a temporary lease of one year was given, will be given two years at the expiration of the one year to all such as are entitled to it by compliance with the general equity of tennants. This will give them their original renewal of three years.

The lessees, take it all around have done better this year than any other year. They have raised good crops and have made money. There is hardly any complaints at the school land office. The renewal of leases in the balance of the territory is now going on the old basis, with such adjustments as individual conditions demand. In conformity with this order Secretary Fred L. Wenner is sending out the following circular letter.

"While there is a strong sentiment looking toward the cutting down of large school land leases held in western Oklahoma and the board feels that in many instances it would be best to reduce the holdings of the lessees both for the school fund and the community in which the land is located, they do not feel like confiscating the rights of any lessee or causing himany loss.

"Preference right leases will be issued to any lessees west of range 13 to as much as one half section. Any lessee can relinquish out any part or all of the school land under lease to him to other parties, and preference right leases will be issued to each person to whom he relinquishes, provided they do not hold more than a half section.

"In the case of lessees holding a section or more, whose circumstances are such that they can not divide up or relinquish at this time without loss or great inconvenience, the board will generally allow them to renew their leases on their full holding for another term of three years, but beyonnd one-half section will grant them grazing leases only, with no preference right in them reserving the right to cut down their holdings at any time they may deem best.

"In the case of any lessees having very large holdings of purely agricultural lands on grazing leases, if the board should deem it best to have them divided up or cut down their leases they will be given ample notice so as to have an opportunity to do so without causing them any loss. Of course, no lessee will be disturbed in any of this holdings during the term of his lease and the board will endeavor in every case to be as liberal as possible with every lessee and to administer the rules on the principals of equity and justice to every person concerned. -- State Registrer."
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