EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 20, 1888_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith a communication of the 13th instant from the
Secretary of the Interior, with accompanying papers, and submitting the
draft of a proposed bill to forfeit lands granted to the State of Oregon
for the construction of certain wagon roads, and for other purposes.
The presentation of facts by the Secretary of the Interior herewith
transmitted is the result of an examination made under his direction,
which has developed, as it seems to me, the most unblushing frauds upon
the Government, which, if remaining unchallenged, will divert several
hundred thousand acres of land from the public domain and from the reach
of honest settlers to those who have attempted to prevent and prostitute
the beneficent designs of the Government. The Government sought by the
promise of generous donations of land to promote the building of wagon
roads for public convenience and for the purpose of encouraging
settlement upon the public lands. The roads have not been built, and yet
an attempt is made to claim the lands under a title which depends for
its validity entirely upon the construction of these roads.
The evidence which has been collected by the Secretary of the Interior,
plainly establishing this attempt to defraud the Government and exclude
the settlers who are willing to avail themselves of the liberal policy
adopted for the settlement of the public lands, is herewith submitted
to the Congress, with the recommendation that the bill which has been
prepared, and which is herewith transmitted, may become a law, and with
the earnest hope that the opportunity thus presented to demonstrate a
sincere desire to preserve the public domain for settlers and to
frustrate unlawful attempts to appropriate the same may not be
neglected.