FOURTH BIENNIAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONER

Publio Lands and Buildings

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.

DECEMBER IST, 1884.

- I - -.:C *.. LJNCOLN, NEB. :

JOUIINAL WMPANY, STATE PUNTEIW. 1884.

REPORT.

OFFICE OF COMMISSIONKR OF PUBLIC LANDS AND BUILDINGS, LINCOLN, NEBKASKA, December lst, 1884.

To His Excellkncy Eon. Janles W. Dawes, Governor:

I n compliance with the Constitutional requirements, I have the honor to submit herewith my biennial report of the business transacted in this office from December 1, 1882, to December 1, 1884, the first date named included.

Also the reports of the several State Institutions under the general control of the Board of Public Lands aud Buildings, with such remarks and suggestions a13 to me seem proper.

CAPITOL BUILDING.

Under the act approved. February 27th, 1883, which provides for the erection and completion of a new Capitol Building, tak- ing down old building, etc., the Board of Public Lands and Build- ings have to report, that acting under the provisions of the said act, the Board did, on the 4th of June, 1883, award the contract for the taking down of the old building to John S. Gregory, the said Gregory agreeing t~ pay the sum of $300 for the ma- terials in the same.

And upon the 9th day of July, 1883, awarded the contract for the erection and completion of the main Capitol Building, after due advettisement, to W. H. B. Stout, for the sum of $439,187.25.

Work upon the same has since progresaed aa fast as the funds therefor have been available.

For the continuation of the work, it is recommended that the

for payment of which had been given) has since been denied, and ; an action against principal and surety is now peuding in the

district court of Lancaster county, the decision in the lower courts having been in favor of the State.

It ie recommended that the Legislature make provision for prompt payment of such advertising bills, and not compel p

. lishers to wait the final action of the suit a t law. , During the construction of the main Capitol Building, it

building were in close proximity to the foundation walls o f the

The question of water supply and sewerage for the city of Lincoln not having taken final shape, i t was thought best t o provide a suitable cesspool, within the capitol grounds, for the accommodation of both wings of the Capitol Building, aud cou- nect with sewer to east wing of the buildings, a d to fi!l the old cesspool with concrete.

.. This has been done a t a cost of $3;029, and being an extm- .ordinary expense could not be met by the Bourd ftom appropri- ations for "Care of Capitol Building a i ~ d Broulids," and is, therefore, respectfully referred with the recomme'ndation that

'provisions be made by the Legislature for its pajment'.

HOSPITAL FOR INBANI.

The present crowded condition of this Institution will demand some action of the Legislature soon to convene.

1 On Novernbor SOth, 1882, there were two hundred and seventy- three inrrli~tes i n the institation, a41d although the Board of Public Lsn~lu-i~i~d Buildings have ordered the return of over

PUBLIC LANDS AND BUILDINM. 5

f the harmless incurable cases enumerated in the num- d many others have been returned to the care of friends

during the two years, there were, on December Ist, 1884, $hree hundred and sixty inmates still in the hospital. The hos- pital building, as originally built, has been from time to time extended to its present capacity, which is about fbur hundred. The care of this number would, however, compel the use of every basement and room in the institution. I t is doubted if public policy or humane consideration, in view of the extremely dangerous risk by fire of such institutions, would approve of an extension to the present building and compel an increase of oc-

Other considerations are to be had in this connection. The present building is, with a good supply of water lately discovered, a s nearly complete as to general arrangement of conveniences as may be considered possible to make it, having in view the piece by piece manner in which it has been built. The steam heating, a t large expense, has lately been taken out where necessary and changed t b the low pressure system, boiler house erected, and boiler capacity increased to the extent demanded for the build- ing as it now stands. The cost of additions or wings to the present building must of necessity be met by the cost of extend- ing and enlarging the capacity of the appliances necessary to run the building after such extensions are made.

I n view of these and other facts too numerous to mention, and the fact that the State is rapidly growing in population, the cen- tre of which is gradually taking itself westward, it has been thought best to recommend the establishment of another hospital building a t some central or more western point which might be found having railroad, water;and.drainage facilities, and the gen- eral elements of a healthy locality. That action of this kind must soon be taken, no one familar with the history of the western atates will depy ; that the time to act is now, can soon be deter- mind by examining the ratio of increase of our population of persons subject to confinement in hospitals for the insane, and the present condition, as I have iudicated, of the hospital building. .

I n considering this question, the Board of Public Lands and

REPORT OF C

Buildings have not been unmindful of the fact that the steady increase of the capacity of our State Institution8 has entailed the expenditure of large sums of money, although our experience in this direction will compare favorably with any western State. They desire me to call your attention to the law relating to keep- ing insane persons, referring to the clause which provides that the cost per capita per week shall be paid by the several counties from which the commitments are made. In doing so, I desire to refer to my last biennial report, which shows the sum from this source then delinquent and unpaid, amounting to $110,-

By reference to the report of the Auditor of Public Accounts, of this date, i t will be found that the delinquency has iiicreased.

As this fund, and this alone, has been ueed to build extensions and make permanent improvements a t the institution, it would

made is respectfully asked.

STATE PENITENTIARY.

During the past two years there have been made some valua- ble permanent improvements at this 11.1etitution. The old sys- tem of sewerage has been replaced with an entirely new one,

e secured, and an entire new system of water supply ided, which is operated by steam pumps and ele- , and furnishes sufficient supply fbr hygienic and

ntiary building, which had been without repairs for 1 years, has been sometvhat renovated and improved. A fire-proof

solitary and hospital building has been erected within the enclo- sure of the Institution; an engine and pump house of brick has been built and furllished to perfect the water supply system; and the Institution has been generally improved. The repairs made

PUBLIC LAND8 AND BUILDINGS. 7

were under the direction of the Warden and Board of Public Lands and Buildings.

The report of the Warden is herewith enclosed, and attention called to the recommendations therein made, which have my ap- proval.

I

Tba report d the '1P.riaeicipd' of the l$&i&%e Pw the Deaf aad Dumb is herewikh aai~llmd, q d d 8it&mboa sr?sp~a&llg wlled ta the ~emmmeadatjme made,

Improvemesta pravided for by tbs laat legidatare have been made under the &reation of the f Bncipal and ths Boa;pd of Pubc lie Lands and Buildings, The Institatioo is meellenk bands, and while it has mPLintainled but s t d g growth a~ ta numbem, its new sys%em of tew'Ex4ng p%rtirt'ly d e d mutes to hear and speak bas snddanl~ grown 'b have a aatioilal reputz&dn, and b qprored by t h e dmacetl &&kern iix dtB& ,kbd of sdnmtionrtl work. It; Is g & W g bra&& Ia@tit~&e-one, srnong the gozlm&sE b $ha3 ~D.datz?p-&@ a m ~ ~ f u l l g di~im the b ~ n o r of having been. th& fimt &I d b ~ ~ r ~cT~.aitian4 @hls&$ng for this ;elam of unfortuna%e p%ildydp.

f

When Pmt Gillespls first I g $ ~ v~ppji~atioll i~ B e Eomd df Publie Lands axid Buildt~g5 fog & skpendi~xrm d money SD&-

cieat, with what msonmse he &rdd!mmaud, l;rr inetitate a dms ta be taught by the then propadd Q&&B, he w w directed te pee his own beet judgment his% 2& &I@ withib the am?oanB &ppro- priated by the l e & d ~ t + & .'.%IIB ~ e & i t was, thet t h~oagh hb an- tiring eneqg mnd the al&imeg biF a kindly d%pawd citizen of another steite, be WID sueef~sfa1 2~ procuring an aaml and a d taeher and the u$e of aiudighapaa 4ia teach rr, e l m m1~x:ted &om the Institnte. With the u5e oaf the audigh~e came the discovmy of thhe h ~ &

eibility of educating the d o m i s t sense of bfearjna aud orgme of ape&, and the Board now f ~ e l that the rolnhocl and povar of aeney bare no comprarissh with the good efF8ot possible in the ~velopment of s latemt' buman eeose. The recommenclsr.t;ion~ ~ a t a i u s d in tbe Prinoipsl's report are for the good of the hati-

,f& I (9 REPORT ay < d i r - OF COMMIM3IONEIElR OF ' k b . I I

tute in its several branches, arid are approved by the Board of - Public Lands and Buildings.

I desire to call special attention to the rccomnlendations con- cerning the feeble minded. The fact cannot be denied that the time is now here when some provision should be made by the State for this unfortunate class of people. There are now in the Reform School, Institute for the Blind, Hospital for the Insane, State Penitentiary, and Inetitute for the Deaf and Dumb, persons under age who beloug in an Institute for the Feeble Minded in- stead of where they are now provided for. To presume that this class of people can be provided for, scattered as they are through all the state iuatitutions, without serious damage to the desired effect of such institutions is an error. Such children sooner or Iater become a burden on their legal prbtectors, and then waifs, and are sent to and kept at state institutions iuterrded for a dif- ferent class entirely, and the associatioll of tt feoble-minded child in institutions with other children causes more trouble and actual harm than can readily be imagined.

Legislative attention should also be called to the necessity of a water supply at this Institution. I t cannot be expected that $75,000 worth of state buildings and in~provements can be pro- tected to any degree fro,rn fire when water must be hauled long distances in barrels to feed the l~oilers f'urniehing steam heat and fdr general use at the Institution. Nor is this feature more es- sential than the one of hygiene, when a hundred or more children

. .: are lo be cared for. The present condition of affairs is not the ' result of fault of the Legislature or Board of Public Lands and - 1 , Bnildings. The water supply during the past year suddenly ' I failed, and the u~oney at the disposal of the Board would not re-

' '4 1 produce it. ' I The Legislature of 1883, by clerical error or omission, failed to

appropriate money for teachere' wages, matron, foreman, and physician, for the year ending March 31st, 1885, amounting to $6,500. Other appropriations being made for the running of the Institution for the year, the Bor~rd of Public Lands and Build- ings could not allow the Institution to be closed by reason of such evident error, but succeeded in making arrangements with several banks in Lincoln and Omaha whereby the vouchers for

PUBLIC LANM AND EUILDIXGlh3. 9

teachers' wages, etc., when audited by the Board of Public Lands and Buildings and adjusted by the Aud'itor of Public Accounts, could be cashed at their face value, the Board agreeing by raso- lution of May 5tb, 1884, that vouchers so cashed by. the b~btlks should'bear the legal interest from the date of thkir payment un. ti1 the money was available by legislative appropriation. The resolutions and orders of the Board are too voluminoue tor a place in this report, but will be submitted to the proper legisla- tive committee.

INSTITUTE BOB THE BLIND.

Since my last report this Institution has been provided with steam heat and gas, which has materially added to the comfort of the officers and inmates.

I t is growing slowly as to ~~umbers , compared with the other State institutions, but is doing good work in the education of the blind.

Further provision should be made for a good supply of water, an estimate for which has been included in the amount askctl tbr repairs and improvements.

REFORM SCHOOL.

This Institution, located near Kearney, Nebraska, is the yout~g- est the State has, and although dwarfed as to the number of in- mates by reason of lack of room f ~ r accommodations, soot1 will be the largest in the State.

The building provided for at the last session of the Legisla- ture has been built, and is now being furnidhed for immediate occupancy. . The old building has not been converted into a workshop, as was possibly intended by the act providing for the new one, for the reason that i t has been, and is now, the only one occupied by officers and inmates.

The Board of Public Lands and Buildings would recommend that it be kept for a family building, for which it was or i~iaal ly intended, aud for which i t is needed. A workshop is needed, but could be built for one-half the cost or worth of the old build-

ing. A brick boiler house, with bath room and laundry co nected, has been built, and the boilers for steam heating and hot water pipes placed therein, in preference to the basement of the

Prof. S. C. Mullin, of Georgetown, Nebraska, who has had lon

and girls have been kept in the same building, and no serious

Attention is called to the Superintendent's report, and to the ecommendations made, which are approved by the Board.

Although fhe new building is not yet occupied, it is known, y the large nnmber of applications on file, that it will soon be

full. I f action is not taken by the Legislature soon to convene, i t will be four years before additional room could be ready for occupancy. Provision should be made for the erection of a small

HOME OF THE FRIENDLESS.

Since the date of my last report, the building contracted for by the Board of Public Lands and Buildings, under the act of 1881 providing for the location of such an Institution, has been

Tt~c titlo to the land upon m-11iuh the legislative appro

PUBLIC LAJSDS AKD BUILDINGS. li

was expended, runs to the State of Nebraska for the use and benefit of the Home for the Friendleu#.

I am in receipt of a communication from the President and Secretary of said Bociety, making a partial report of their action, and asking for the following appropristions, which are respect- fully referred for such action as the Legislature may deem proper:

Building new wing ......................... .. ...................... $5,000 Steam heating apparatus and gas .................................. 3,000 Furniture for wing ..................................................... 1,000 Painting .................................................................. 500 Laundry machinery .................................................. 500 Curient expenses for two years, ending March 3,l, 188 7... 2,500

SALINE LAKDS.

I n pursuance of an order of the Bonrd of Public Lands a ~ d Buildings, under date of April 7th, 1884, I desire to c;ill to your attention the following application to lease for a tern1 of' ~ e i r s , eleven hundred and twenty acres of the Saline lands, lying in and about what is known as the salt basin, near Lincoln, Ne- braska, for stoc!k yards and manufacturing purposes.

The application and the order of the Bonrd are given in t'ull in the following words and figures, to-wit:

To the Honorable Board of Public Lands and Buildings: The undersigned, " The Nebraska Stock yards Compauy of

Lincoln (limited), of the state of Nebraska," hereby make applica- tion to lease for a term of years the following described Saline lands of the state, to-wit :

The south half of section No. fifteen (15j, all of section No. twenty-two (22), and the north-west quarter of section No. twenty- three (23), all in township No. ten (lo), range No. six (6), east of the sixth principal meridian, in Lancaster county, state of Ne- braska, for the purpose of, with the aid of other persons, of erect- ing thereon extensive slaughtering houses, packing houses, cattle and stock yards on s large scale, and manuftcturing enterprises connected therewith.

We desire the lease to date from the first of January, 1885.

REPORT O F COMMISSIONER oE'

W e agree to pay as rent, interest annually in every year upon -the appraised value placed upon said lands, the rate of interest not to exeeed six (6) per cent, to be fixed every ten years by the Board of Public Lands and Buildings, during the term granted.

w e would respectfully ask such favorable consideration from ur honorable Board as you may deer11 best and proper, iu view. the circumstances and the probable benefits accruing to the te. '

JOHN FITZGERALD, President. J. J. IMHOFF, Vice President. JOHN GILLESPIE, h e t a r y . 3. E. HOUTZ, Treasurer.

!Signed in preseace of H. V. HOAGLAND.

Lincoln, Nebraska, April Yth, 1884.

ORDER OF THE BOARD OF PUBLICl LANDS AND BUILDINGS.

I n the matter of the.application of the Nebraska Stock Yards Com- any of Lincoln, Nebr. (limited). 1 To lease from the state of Nebraska certain Saline lands be-

longing to this state for a term of years, which was this day pre- seuterl to the Board of Public Lands and Buildings, after full con- sideratiou i t was ordered that the same be pla'ced on file, and be by the President of the Board reported to the Governor iu the next biennial report of this Board, with a favorable recommenda-

I tion.

I n view of the facts that there are between thirteen and four- teen thousand acres of this class of lands lying in Lancaater county, some of which are agricultural and some saline in char- acter; that in the absence of any law for the sale or leasing of the same, they are bearing but small revenue; that tho lauds so sought to be leased are worthless or nearly so for agricultural purposes, I recon~mend your favorable consideration of the ques- tions involved in the foregoing application to lease.

I The Board of Public Lands and Buildings, for several yeurs

have leased for grazing purposes, such of the lands as have been

- , I II

;h I PUBLIC LANDS AND BUILDINGS.

desired, but from year to year only, expecting some legislative action looking to their disposition.

The amounts received during the tinlo covered by this report, amounting to $1,450.10, have been paid over to the state trcaeurer as will be shown in his statement of moneys received.

I desire to call attention to the business of the State Land De- partment as compared with previous reports. An examination . of the biannual reports of the Department since its organization in 18'77, and including the reports of 1878,1880, and 1882, will show that during the six years prior tq the time covered by this report, there were sold 160,190.86 acres of Educational Lands and 659,501.29 acres were leased during the same period.

Referring to the recapitulation table in this report, it is found that in the time covered by it (from November 30th, 1882, to December let, 1884), there were sold of Educational Lands 267,173.18 acres, and 687,471.46 acres were leased during the same time, making the volume of b ~ s i n e s s ' d u r i n ~ the past turo years cover 134,951.49 acres more land than the business for the entire six years preceding.

It has taken the closest personal attention to routine oflice work during the past two gears, to successfully dispose of the

rl . work necessary to carry on such a largely increased business; and without prornptness on the part of my clerical force, wbicl~ " i

4 was found too small, tve shoulcl have been subjected to great con- fusion.

'1 Since I have bee11 in charge of this Department I have re-ar- ranged somewhat the system snd detail of office work, in order to get the best possible result from the clerical force employed.

I have ill the estimate made for the two years to follow, asked for one additional clerk at a salary of $1,000, and feel, as I re- view the volume of business of the past two years, that my suc- cessor will often find i t necessary to apply himself to clerical work whed the interests of some state institution may require his at.tention in other directions. The rapid growth and develop- ment of our State and its Institutions has developed the fact that

Consideration should soon be given to some plan or re-az- rangenlent of duties, tending to decrease the work and lessen the responsibilities of the Commissioner of Public Lands and

years have been experimental. The wholeeale purchasing of school lands for speculation is at

present unknown, and the wholesale leasing of school lands with the same view is a condition of affairs scarcely eighteen months

large sums of money, delinquent in many cases for years, were fi collected, because the power of the Board of entering forfeiture "

for non-payment without a suit at law wae recognized by the

thority tp purchase registered county bonds of this state. The law in question provided for the purchase of this class of securi-

PUBLIC LANDS AND BUILDINGS.

ties for the pcrma~tent school fund, with restrictions as to high rote of intereat I3onds, thought at the time to he proper, apd the reault is that while on November 30t11, 1882, the permttl~elrt edu- catiorial funds llad ou hand alttl invested the surrl of $136,875.51, QII December lst, 1884, there is I ~ u t $49,829.33 so held. The Board have been able to iuvcbst :ill nlor~eys received to the credit '

of the permanent educational funtls during the past two years, and $87,048.18 of that rerr~~iinirtg uninvested November 30th, 1882. 1

I Anotber feature of importance it1 the law of 1883 was the at- .

I tempted regnlatio~~ of the private salc clause, and it rnost be ad- mittkc1 that the prt3seat condition of the law in this regard is not what it 8hould be. Prior to the law of 1883 a mode of' procedure was prescribed for the lessee who sought to purct111~e the land held under his lease, and the Board of Educational Lauds and Funda had not the power conferrecl.upon it to prevent the sale of ally land appraised a t $7.00 or upwards per acre.

The law referred to provides that the Colurnissioner may, when in his opinion land is appraised too low, refer the matter to the Board, and they may reject the sale, approve it, or return it for a re-appraisal, etc.

When it is conaitlered t l~nt the cout~ty cterk, county judge, and the county treasurer, who by law is made an agent of this De- partment, appoint the appraisers, who are sworrt t o do their duty uncler the law, and that in the aljsence of s personal knowledge by the Conlmissioner of' the lurid appraified, he must get his in- formation as to the value of the land appraised from some one of the appointing powers at the county seat, it can be readily seen that the avenue of infornlation, if not entirely closed, is so sur, rounded either by loaal infiuenae or the ot~jection of county offi- cers to an iuterfereuce witb the s\vorn stutentent of' appraisers,. a s to be of very little use.

It is doubted if the private c~pitlion of any citizen or officer should be accepted, anrl the official oath and sworn statement of a duly appointed officel. rejected, in a matter of this kind, involv- ing the pecu~~iary or lcgll rights of eitizeus. Acting under this doubtful nlode of procedure, I have taken occ>~sio~l to refer to the Board of Educatio~lal Lauds :ind F U I I ~ Y nltlny cases where' I

i! get information warranting such netion, and d m have bee11 ?~pprovetl tl1:lt ought to have been rejected, and

might have been if the true state of affairs could have bee^ I Esnoa*ri.

Tho question of how this grant shall be disposed of in the f u q ture has been more or less agikitecl by the State press during the past two years, and will probably be fully considered by the legislature SOOII to convene. Properly observing the details and. volume of worlr ~~ecessary to I~andla the land grunt, with u coo- sideration of t l ~ o f i~turc ant1 its lwohabilities, the subject will prove to be cxhuustless, iind should be intelligently handled. r With the limited time at the tlisposal of the Cornrnissiotler of ' business that has suddenly grown up about the Department, 1

tention.

I Public: Lands and Buildings, after arteuding to the voluminous ,

I . have not found time to consider new modes or methods to such , extent as to warrant me in recommending them to legislative at- '*

The real question is, how can the school land grant be made of the best service to our common school system;' and the ulti- maturn of hope is that i t may in the future support the system.

(4

The permanent fond, represented by the small item of five per cent of government Imld sales, and thc large item of the 16th and and S6thLseotions of land, and agricultural college and university lands selected,gand the proceeds by sale of such lands, has been -. zealously guarded by the Constitutioi~; but ha the principal sum oan never be used, the fund has a value for educational purposes - '

commensurate only with the annual receipts of interest or rental, which amount added to the small amount levied for ' ' p school purposes by State authurity, eonatitutes the temporary $ achool fund, and is applied semi-annually to the payment of . teachers wLges in each school district in the State. The fund that I can be applied to the support ot education being the one of' special interest at:thehpresent time to eitizeu and tax-payer, I have had prepared some statement8 to show its past and preeent worth, under $he system of sale and leasing of Educational Land. , ,,

PUBLIC LANDS AND BUIWINGW .

PERMANENT BUNDB . ,I , The interest bearing permaneut educational funds

....................... on November 30th. 1882. were $2.329. 059 0'7 ........................................... Cash uninvested 136. 875 51 --

................................. Total funds , $2.466. 934 58 The interest bearing futlds December l e t , 1884.

.......................................................... were $4, 272809 91 ............................................. Cash uninvested , 49, 827 33 --

Total funds. ................................. $4,322, 637 24 The interest bearing fund has in the two years

.................................................. increased .$1,943. 749 84 ..................... The cash utlinvested h ~ s decreased $ 87. 048 18

The net increase of permanent educational funds in two years is ............................................. $1.852, 702 69

The following sums. representing the receipts only from Edu- cational lands. and not including State tax. escheats. etc., h ~ v e been paid into the State treasury and disbursed since the organ- ization of the State : For the year ending June. 1869 .......................... $ 18. 393 47

<c G C 1870 119. 827 17 .......................... ( 4 I .......................... 6 4 1871 91. 777 46 6 6 1 6 1872 102. 291 13 .......................... 6 4 4 4 1873 ........................... 75. 745 19 i b 4 6 ......................... 1874 99. 607 66 66 ( I .......................... 1875 105. 713 45 4 1 I C 1876 95. 023 02 .......................... L L 6 6 1877 106. 086 25 ..........................

k c c 1878 139. 540 56 4 < .......................... j , I 6 6 4 6 1879 108. 377 86 .......................... .

c i : I 1880 ......................... 180. 095 53 t ( 6 1881 163. 856 47 ..........................

4 r .......................... 1888 232. 296 74 .......................... I

4 6 1883 284. 032 51 (6 ......................... 1884 386. 759 32

""!An observation of the foregoing statement ~vill show that of the $2,309,423.79 paid in and disbursed during the past' sixteen years, $1,247,040.57, or nearly fitfy-four per cent of the entire sum has been apportioned during the last five years, and over

1 forty-six per cent has been apportioned in the last four years. The data for amounts apportioned, mere procured from books: u

and files in the offices of the Auditor and Superintendent of i T Public Instruction. The prcsent worth of the temporary school t ' : fund is shown by taking the amount of annual rental on all lands 1 . under ]case, the amount of aunual interest on unpaid principal 1:' from all lands sold on time, tho arnount of annual interest on all

and amount i~~g to $186,742.55.

$81,585.38, rnukir~p in all a temporary fund, from land receipts ' I ' ' ' alone, of $432,257.45 per aunum.

There are still vacant 1,478,086.13 acres of educational lands, or about one-half of the elltire gmut. The possibilities of the ' temporary fund nre, then, its a~~uu:rl wortl~*ns sl io~i~n December

:L D~lring the four years I l~uve been in charge of the Lancl De-

PUBLIC LANDS AND BUILDINGS.

The annual rate of per cent of lands under lease is 6.77 per. cent of their appraised value, or 16.85 cents per acre. The an? nual rate of interest on funds illvested in securities is 7.29 per cent of the amount invested. Tho Aumual interest on unpaid principal is fixed by the statutes at 6 per cent.

From these few remarks i t will be seen that the educational land grant should not be subject to cnpricious legislation, but every safeguard possible sl~oulcl be exbcnded, lceepillg in full view the intent of the general government in making the donations and its present and future use as a means of supporting our sys- tem of education by a revenue other than direct taxation.

The revenue now derived from the grant is greater than that appropriated by the legislature for all purposes. And'believing it is in better condition than that of any ot i~er we'stern state, in-

I cluding s~ich as have for n generation been experimenting with legislation upon this question, it is not surprising tliat I shall decline to recommend other systems of control, the operations of which I know nothing about.

For permanent scl~ool fillid investments for the past two years, reference should be had to the report of State Treasurer.

IRDENNITY SCHOOL LANDS. I In-my report of November 30th, 1882, attention was called to

the unsatisfactory condition of our cli~ims for inclernt~ity school lands, or lands lying iu the 16th and 36th sections, lost to the school fund by reason of homestead, pre-emption, mearldered streams: fractionil to~vnshipe, etc.

The legislature of 1883, acting under suggestions made by this , department, and recon~mendatiolls of tlie proper committee, passed the act of February 21st, 1883, under wllich tlte proper records were made, aud claims to the arnoulit of 40,6;6 94 ucree have been allowed by the general gover~~mellt, and putet~ts or confirmed lists have been issued to the state for 38,586.54 acres since my last report, leaving 2.100.40 acres selected, but awaiting confirmation. I

It ie gratifying to know that t h e ~ e claims, which have existed since the admission of the state into the uuion of states, arc at

I - --

1 - -

d

20 . REPOBT OF COMMISSIONER OF

last, so near settlement. They have caused volumes of corres- pondel~ce and unlitnited irritation both to the general govern- ment and this department.

To the Hon. N. C. McFgrland, Commissioner of the General

I Land Office, Mr. J. J. Barnes, of the Yre-emption Bureau of the General Land Oilice, and to Senator Manderson, and Represent- ative Valentine, I am under obligations for personal favors shown in this regard. Since the admission of the state there has been received from the general government as indemnity for school fands lost, 71.629.83 acres; 39,194.20 acres of which has been confirmed since I have been in charge of this department.

The basis for 2,100.40 acres pending confirmation, haviug been approved 'by thc Honorable Commissioner, and the selections having been made with the view of avoiding a conflict with the rights of pre-emption, i t is presumed that the title to the same will soon pass to the state.

Under an act of February 26th, 1881, entitled " An act to assent to and accept the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled 'An act for the relief of certain settlers within the late Fort Kearney Military Reservation in Nebraska,' " tlie state assented to the proposition that certain lands in section 36, township 9, range 15 west, filed upon by homestead settlers, should be confirmed to such settlers, providing the general governmerrt would allow the state indemnity therefor.

Since my last report, indemnity school land has'been confirmed to the state for the area thus lost, the same appearing with other lands in the 38,586.54 acres above referred to.

This reservation lies in the county of Enox, and comprises choice body of agricultural lands. The 16th and 36th sections t though claimed by the State as common school lands, had never been listed as such, on account of the possible advance claim' of the Santee Indians.

r" 8!'

FWBLIO LANDS AND BUILDINGS.

4 L -- A,. - j., To the k o n . E. K. Valentine, member of Congress from Ne- braska, is due the credit of obtaining fiom the Honorable Com- missioner of the General Land OEee an opinion in which he

rb says, "The lands embraced in said Reservation were withdrawn 7 I subsequent to the date of the survey thereof, consequently, the I right of the Indians to said lands -Is only lhat of occupancy, and

I subject to that riyht the State is entitled to the 16th and 36th sec- tions within the limits of said Reservation." Acting under this , I

opinion, the 16th ,and 36th sections within the boundary of said

I Reservation, amounting to 6,788 80-100 acres, have been entered I of record as common school lands, and added to the acreage of

common school lands in Knox county. I

* -

CONCLUSION. I I The several Stata Itlstitutiorls in charge of the Board of Pub- -

lic Lands and Buildings have been successfi~lly managed during the past two years, and are to-day in successful operation.

To the local officers in charge of them belongs the credit for the position they occupy in comparison with like Institutions of other States. To these officers are due the good will and confi-

1 clence of the people of this State.

To my assistants are due my thanks in this pubiic manner for ; the help they have given in bearing the burdensome task of the

past four years. 1 , To your Excellency, and Executive officers of State Depart-

3 ruents, I return the feeling of friendship and good will so often * expressed, and my warmest tharrks for the personal considera-

i tiort shown. A. a. EENDALT,,

6omrnissioner of Public Lands and Buildi~tgs.

1 3 .

REPORT OF COMMISSIOhTER Oh

1.1

STATEMENT b'Rocm'ng tire nlrmberof awes of Comlnom School Lands belonging to fhe btafe on the

30th day of n'orwibcr, 188.2, in coztnlies hating comslrlc wcords, and the sum- ber of aCf&8 dec drd dvs-ing tJ~e years 1883 and 1g84; alrco the ~uvmber of acrps wnJrmrd and dredrd to the State, arrd the nuwrbtroj o m s belonging to the S W e November 30, I#@.

-. --a

COUNTIES.

. - Adams. ...................................... Anlclope ................................... Boc~r~e ........................................ Buffalo ....................................... Bntler ....................................... Burt .......................................... Cans .......................................... Cellar ........................................ Clay ...... ................................... 4 ....................................... Colrax C:uming ..................................... Caster ....................................... Dakota ...................................... I Dawson ..................................... t D i x ~ ~ n ................... ; ................... ' Dodge ....................................... I)o~~glaq ...................................... 1 F i ~ l n ~ o r e .................................... Fran kliii .................................... Furnas ..................................... Gwe ........................................... Gosper ...................................... Cirr%!ley ...................................... Hall .......................................... Hamilton ................................. Harlan ....................................... ; 20370.07 Hlllt .......................................... : 88Rl7.62 Howard .................................. ............ I 13161.44

............. Jefferson .................................... 19a18.119 Johnson .................................... i 11440.92 Kearney : ................................... I Keith ....................................... KIIOX ....................................... Li1wo111

.................................... i Lat~cnster ...................................... ~ n d i k o n ................................... i

STATEMENT . I L.- .

i9bdng by Counties the numbw of Acres of Conunon School Land &imated to be Q thwe counties established but not organized. and in thaw counties organized but m? hawing a complete record of their lands .

.

COUNTIES .

..

Brown ...................................... Chase .................................... Cherry ..................................... Cheyenne ................................ Dundy ...................................... Front~er ................................. Ga~fleld ............................... Hares ...................................... Hiichcock ............................... Loup ....................................... 8io1ix ....................................... Wheeler ...................................

Unolganlzed territory .............. 0 1 Y . 5 9 25339859 .. - -

Grand Total ..................... 1'310680 26, 60 W 1316M0.60

STATEMENT Bhowing tRe number of acres qf Common School Land8 Iccwed from Nowmber 80th.

1882. to December 1st. 1884 . . ...

COUNTI ES . I ~ c r e ~ . I/ COUNTIES . ACT^ .

Adan* ........................... : ................. ~ S R O j Krsrney ......................................... I S368.66 Antelope ......................................... 106% Knox ............................................. 1StiG.66 Boone ............................................ t 5 t 1.98 ! 1.a11ca.ter ............... r ........................ i R O BufBlo ........................................... 20103.05 I.iuro111 ............................................ 9 1hh1.97 Butler .............................................. 3240 Madison .......................................... 3.520 Burt ................................................ li60 Merrick ........................................... 8501.24 Case ............................................... 120 Nemaha ............. ......................... S5 Cedar ............................................... 11005 Kuckolls ........................................ 1920 Clay ............................................... IS30 Otot: ................................................ 207 Co lex ............................................. 2511.50 Pawvnee ........................................... 3'10 Cumlog ............................................ 33:W Phelps ............................................. 141 12.71 Custer ............................................. 913'14.88 . Pierc*e ............................................. 17200 Dakota .......................................... I4llB.90 I'latte ............................................... 8634.66 Dawvson .......................................... 15'244.80 Polk ................................................. 3141.01 Dixon .......................................... 'iBL'1. Red Willow ...................................... 2Mti9.80 Dodge ............................................ Bll.70 Aichaldlou ..................................... i 10 ............................................. Douglas ............................................ 501.02 Saline 3 5 3 3 Fillmore .......................................... 1040 Sarpy ............................................... 1.20 ......................................... Franklin ......................................... 14341.90 6a11nAers 140.86 Furnos ............................................. 11956.80 Seward ............................................. 1465 ......................................... Gosper ............................................. 1fXXO Sherma, u 1 12863.60 ........................................... Gage. .................................... ..........., 40 Stantou

' 10420

Glreeley ............................................ 1ij24.70 Thayer ............................................ 1160 HaU ................................................ 5.314.4.i Valiey ............................................. 71Si3.58 Hamilton ........................................ 2417.h6 ' ashington .................................... 133.40 ............................................. 33arlan ............................................ 17160 Bl Wayne 1840 Eolt ................................................. 875B.43 Wehster ................ ; ........................ 4918 Howard ............................................ 1 9 . 7 6 York ............................................... 40 Jefferson .......................................... 1963.90 -- ......................... ...... Johnson .......................................... 213.33 Total :. ...a.. 616309.07

from

- -

PUBLIC LANDS AND BUILDINGS .

STATEMENT

the *ambe+ of acrm of Common School Lands sold at Priva* &lgT November 30th 1882. to December 1st. 1884 . .. 7 .

- .

COUNTIES . I NO . Of 1 Amount Amount I Amount I Acres . / of sale 1 paid .. Adam8 ........................ Antelope .................... Boone ........................ Buffalo ....................... Butler ........................ Burt ........................... C m ........................... Cedar .......................... Clay ........................... Colfax ........................ Cuming ....................... Custer ........................ Dakota ....................... Dawmn ....................... Dixon ........................ Dodge ........................ Douglas ....................... Fillmore

I .....................

Pranklin .................... Gage ........................... Greeley ....................... Hall .......................... Hamilton .................... EarFu ....................... I JlOlt ........................... Howard ..................... Jereraou ..................... Johnson ..................... Rearney ..................... I Knox .......................... Lancaster .................... Lincoln ....................... Madison ..................... Merrick ..................... Nemaha ..................... Nuckolls ..................... Otoe ........................... Pawnee ....................... Phelpa ....................... Pierce ........................ F a y e .......................... Polk ........................... Red Willow ................. kicbardgon ............ ..... Saline ........................ SaZpy ........................... Yaundertl ................... SewRrd ....................... Sherman - .................. Stanton ....................... Thayer ....................... Valley ........................ Wnsh~ngton ............... Wagt;; ...................... ..................... York ...........................

6.3820 00 8 10260 00 ??155 91 24886 90 ano oo 21134 00 5120 00

34030 00 61550 00 32760 00 68245 17 6628 00 8167 44 31846 00 18390 00 20051 .% 2679 40 76469 65 1580 00 49400 00 7900 00 49040 90' 530W Ool '4809 30' 280 001

14720 00 34293 331 19x51 00. 45897 12 35980 001 73262 50' 6720 00' 50058 001 25013 25 5782 501 5.5880 M)

STATEMENT &owing E d ~ . o t a d Land8 under wIa mrd 7w& ddi~~puent for mare Q&

COUNTIES . r B

Adams ..................................... 1 . 423 86's 689 67 $ Ill3 03 Antelope ................................................... 786 20 TJt, 20 B o n e ....................................... 110 70 890 80 W1 60 Buff&lo ...................................... 7379 06 954 8l 8538 86 Burt .......................................... 80 48 537 48 Bntler ......................................... 1054 W2 1% 27x6 47 C m ..................... ..........,........ 433 4'2 184 #A 66U) 24 Cedar ......................................... 75 60 51% 54 387 10 Clay ......................................... ....,.... ..... 1 0 288 20 CoIfax ....................................... 16Q 36 M LKi 4 j r 44 Cuming ................................... 30 24 75 60 106 84 Dakots ..................... ................. ............... Iir) 72 1% 72 hwson ..................................................... 6W 62 6 3 62 Dixon ...................................................... 10119 SO 1009 83 Dodge ........................................ 4 9 171 12 41s 04 Douglaa ..................................... 36 001 I77 28 U3 28 Fillmore .................................... 126 65 l(i6 60 23 Franklin ................................................... '460 Mt 460 80 Fumas ..................................... ......,...... $62 74 952 74 Gage ........................ ............... 741 06 88 34 a' ! 40 ............... Qreeley .................................... 1241 69 3241 68 Hall .......................................... 151 20 240 5.1 891 54 ................................... Hamilton 802 40 48 00 3Ml 40 Easlan , ...........-........................ 12 25 846 4W 358 65 ............... .................................... FIoward 60 48 60 48 Jeffemn .................................................... 417 60 417 60 Johnson .................................... I 21 OU 827 0 348 60 Kearney ................................................... 9ii 00 86 00 Knor ... ................................... 811'40 1667 42 1629 82 ...................... Laneaster ..-........ : 1987 30 576 01 2511 80 Lincoln ................................................... , 801 97 lrOl 97 .................................. Maison 149 76 UO 20 288 96 Mallck ...................................... 308 88 201 110 1 n10 48 Wematla .................................... 103 18 197 50 300 63 ................................................... Nnek~Ua 279 BI 2iP 64 Otoe ........................................... 870 81 989 131 I860 72 ...................................... Pawnee 304 66 1.18 05 4'2.2 61 ..................................................... Phelpa 197 70 197 70 Pierce ..................................................... Z44 00 2.91 00 Platte ......................................... 908 78 Polk

%g/ 1 8 E 4.1 ..........................................

Red Willow ............................................... I89 01 189 01 ................................ Richardson 148 RO 60 00 208 80 ........................................ Saline 90 72 1$8 40 239 12 SInndem .................................. 2 1 19 in 6x1 54 Seward ..................................... 66 29 L 0 257 89 Sherman ......................................... .....-... 2206 90 22-5 90 S~anIs,n .................................... 284 041 931, 00 1222 04 i ' ............... Th@yer ............................ .......-. 896 82 396 82 z elley ...................................................... 11 zu 11 20 ....................... ..................... Washington : 142 10 142 10 Wayne ................................ ..................... 94 M) 94 SO Webster ...................................... 258 88 116 20 394 08 Pork ......................,.................. ............... 90 00 9D 00 ---

Total ................................. $ 16915 84'16 23616 18 C 406% 47 - I --

Showiag the nwnIber acres of Agm~cullural College Land belongimg to the ber 3Oth, 1889, also the umber acres deeded d d n g t l e years 26 alrro the n w b e r acres belonging to the State Noz;embcr SOlh, 1884.

Burt. ........................................ (i.10 .................. 1 640 Cedar ....................................... .d 25410.45 .................. [ 25410.47 ................. 980 .................. 1 640

...................................... Cuming Dakota ....................................... 6iO Dlxo?~ ......................................... Knox ....................................... ................. Pierce ......................................... .................. 10113.96 way, ................................ ..

............................... Total 1 89160.071 80 1 89080.07

STATEMENT 8 h h g n t d w awe8 of Agricultural College Lands leased from Norember dab, 1882,

to Decmbw lst, 2884. A

- -

COUNTIE8.

Cedar ............................................................................... 22838.61 Cnming ..........,....................... .....,. ...................................... 280 Dakota .............. ! ............................................................... 40 Dixon .............................................................................. 440 ICnox.. .............................................................. : ................. 213G6.87 Pierce ........................................................................... 9155.11 Wayne ... : ................................................................... 640

Total .......................................................................... 64780.65

STATEMENT Sh~m'ng B e nuvnlier of acre8 Agriczlliurul College Land 80ld at public sde fvm Na

vember 8Ot7b, 18' 8, to Dember I&, 1884.

acres, Am't of Amount Amount 1 1 L e . paid. 1 u~~paid.

-- Dakota ................................... / 6 0 6067. 1 5m.70i 4551.30 -OX ...........,. 12068 9d m468 18 89j8.LW 56W9.35

Y ....................... Total .............................. I 12Mi8.95 WJ525.18 WC64.53 %I460 65 I I I I

STATEMENT &wing the numbm of acres of Agriczclfural ColZege Lands sold at ppTzc'ate eale from

Xocmber JOtla, 188.9, to Deeentbcr 13t, 1884. - A . ,

COUNTY. No. of I mount I ~ m o o n t I Amount acres. . I of sde. pmd. I U I I P E ~ ~ .

Cedar .......................................... Cuming ...................................... . Dixon ...................... ................ Pierre ........................................ ......................................... Wayne --- 1-1-

Total ................................ 1 iiYU.8li8 649113 6718 57d) 99,s 49112 68

STATEMENT SJm'ng 21re n u d e r of acre8 of Agrieclltu?aZ College Lands merti*g to the Stde from

&oovenibrr 30, 1882, to December 1, 1884.

No. of I ma

Cedar ....................................................................................................................... 80 cului11g ................................................................................................................... 160

Total ................................................................................................................ 240

number of acres belonging to the %ate iiovember 30th. 1882 .................................... .. 89160.07 Number of acres sold at public sale from Kuvember 3l11h, 1852, to December 1st. 1884.. 12608.96 Number of acres sold at rivate sale from Kovember 301b, 1 ~ 8 2 , to Uecember lut, 1 W 7798.81 Nnmber of ~ c m s leased 8om November :cf~th, 1882, to DC cember Ist, 1W .................... 647h0.65 Number of acres owned by the State Del ember Ist, 18% ............................................ 89080.07

NOTE.-The number of acres reported as 6wned by the State includes all lauds @old on time and under lase.

PUBLIC UNDS AND BTJLLDI~QS. 33

I (1 I

STATEMENT Shotwing the numher of acres of Uaiwrsity Lands sold at Public Sale from Novembm

Nth, 1881, to Decemlrm ls t , 1884. - ---- --

COUNTIES. I / ~modnt I Amount 1 *mount No. of sde. 1 paid. 1 unpaid.

Aiitelope ....................................................................... Holt ............................................................................. Rnox.. ...........................................................................

.................................................................... Total I l l o

Shuwing t7t.e number of acres of University Lands sold at Private Sale from N o v d e r ~ 30th, 1882, to Deeember Ist, 1884.

COUNTIES. No. -4m0unt Amount AWOLI~~ of sale. I paid. / unpaid. -- I I

Cedar

.................................................................... Webter ........................................................................

STATEMENT I I S%wing the number of aeres of University Lands rmertin to the State from Noumber

dOth, 188.9, to December Ist, I&.

$I; COUNTIES. IN.. Acres

i

.................................................................................... 1. ....................................................................................................................... Dixon .................................. :... 40 Nuckolls 234.10 Webster ........................................................................................................................ SM)

~ - .................................................................................................................. Total 1234.10

RECAPITULATION-UNIVERSITY Lmm.

Nmnber of mrea belonplng to the State December I 1882 , .......................................... 45026.08 Number of acres sold at public sale from ~ovember'80 1882 to December 1 1&34 ........ 1WJ Number of acres sold at rivate sale Born November &, I&, to December i, 1884 ...... iSM.72 Number Of acres leaxed f!om November 30, 1882, to December 1, 183 .......................... 16059.81

. .Saber of aares owned by the State December 1, 1884 ................................................. 4490B.08

NOTE-The number of acres reported aa owned by the State includes all landa 80113 on time and under lease.

.3€i

STATEMENT ,

8 h i n g Ute number of acres of N m w l School Land8 belmgiwq to themate ~~- her SOth, 188$, the numher of awRs deeded during the year8 of 1883 md 1884, and tlw number of acre8 belonging lo Ike Bate ~'ovearber $&h, 1884.

- - - . - -

COUNTIES.

- - - - - -. -

................................................................................... Lanwter I .

STATEMENT 8hoi1)g llbo wmbcr of acres of N m a l School Lands Leased from No.vember PIOth,

1889, to December I&, 2884.

COUNTLES. 1.0. Acrw

; 3TATEMENT

v d e r S W , 1882, to Deembe+ l&, 1884.

*"'- .;. &mng zne nmoer oj awes oj Normal School Lands So7d at Prdzaie blue 3r7& NO-

I OOUNTIhX, Amount Amount Amount

4. 1 pi& I unpaid.

STATEMENT

i 8hodng the namber of a w e of N m Z 6'chool Lande Reverting to the State frm No- vember SOtk, 1889, to December Ist, 188.4..

Lk TOUNTIES. e

belonging to the State Nov. 30, 1882 ....................................... .. .......... sold at rfvetesele &om Nov 80 1889 to llec. 1,1884 ........................ leased NOT. 80 1882 to n'ec.'~ I& ............................................. reverting to the ~ t a i e frdm Xov. 4. 1882, to Dee. 1, 1884 ..................... owned Fy the State Dec. 1, 1884 ...... ; .................... 1 ............................ I

STATEMENT Of Iota Q Uneoln remaining usold .

*NOTE.-Lot 6 in block 179 forusa Mount Zlon Baptist church (colored). Act ap proved Feb. 24, A.D. 1885

REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF

1' I

' , ' ':AaSyG)EtBND RECAPITULATION OF IJANDS. : ., .. 1 . br I

..-.- J !

Common School .................... ............... 8170.43 ................................................................. &gricul~ural College .................................. 12668.95 .................................................................. Uniuersity ................................................ 1640.00 .................................................................. I C O ~ ~ ~ O U &h00l ................................................... 225185.30 ................................................. ~rioultursl college ............................................. m. lil .................................... I ............... Unfvemiiy ........, ...............-.... ............................. w. 72 ................................................... .......................................... ...................... .................................................. Norma : 6878.97

Common School .................................................................. 41372.24 ....................................... Agriouitnral College ............................................................ 2N.00 ..................................... .. University ............................................................ ......,....... 1284.10 ....................................... Norma.. ......."... ....,......... 1 480.00 ................................................... .......................................

NOTE.-Tot& educational land grant, 2978388.62. Total acres deeded, 80251.16. Total aOws owned by State Deo. 1,188$, 2893131.46.

I r The foljowing is an estimate for the current expenses for two

years ending March 31,1887:

PER YEA% TWO YEARS.

Commissioner of Public Lands and Build- ings, salary ...... ........................... .,..,,$ 2000 00 $4000 00

Salary of Deputy ................................. 1600 00 3200 00 : " chief clerk ............................... 1400 00 2800 00 " clerk and bookkeeper ............... 1400 00 2800 00 ' one clerk ................................ 1000 00 " one clerk ........................ ........ 1000 00

Furniture aud carpets.. . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . ;. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .$ Books and etationery .........................................

. .

Postage and postal expenses ................................. Express and telegraph.. .. . . . . . . . . . . . .... . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. Telephone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . Traveling expenses.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. , . . . . . . . . . . . .

, BOARD O F PUBLIC LANDS AND BUILDINGS.

Repairs to public buildings in case of damage by fire,

BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL LANDS AND FUNDS.

School land expenses, appraising, selling, books, blanks, and incidental expenses ............................ :. ........ 7000 WI -

Coets and expense prosecuting delinquent purchasers 7 . and lesseea ..................................................... 2000 00

To pay premium on high rate of interest bonds from temporary school fund. See act of February 24, 1883 ................................................................ 5833 34'

From temporary school fund to pay for high rate in- terest bonds for two years .................................... 10000 00