67 



Q. Now, Mr. Sanger, there is a proviso that the State shall receive 

 26,000 acres in return for 12,000 acres; you understand that that pro- 

 viso must be complied with before this exchange can be carried out ? 



A. Yes, sir; I do. 



Mr. Adams. — Another suggestion I make is that after that resolu- 

 tion went down it was sent to the Attorney-General's office from the 

 Comptroller's office, and he took charge of the legal proceedings, that 

 these individuals who proposed the exchange participated in the 

 legal proceedings based upon this resolution with the proviso in it, 

 and having done that nothing can be said now; they are bound bj it. 



Mr. Pieeo. — Certainly ; everybody is bound by it. 



Mr. Adams. — And there was authority to carry out the exchange if 

 the Comptroller saw fit. 



Mr. Pieeo. — If it was upon the terms here provided. We do not 

 differ at all. 



Q. With regard to the sales at the State tax sale, were these bidders 

 men who had originally owned this property, or portions of it, to a 

 considerable extent? 



A. You mean the bidders I have mentioned ? 



Q. Yes, sir. 



A. In the great majority of instances they -claimed to own the land 

 and bid in the land as owners. 



Q. It was land which had been allowed by some means to be sold 

 for taxes and which they bought in in order to perfect a title ? 



A. They bid it in representing themselves as owners of the land. 



Q. To protect their title ? , 



A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Who bids for the State at these sales? 



A The agent that is designated by the Comptroller to do so. 



Q. The forest commission have nothing to do whatever with bidding 

 for the State at these sales? 



A. No, sir. 



Q. Have they any power or authority with reference to cancella- 

 tions or redemptions of land sold for taxes ? 



A. That lays entirely with the Comptroller. 



Q. Have they (the forest commission) any power to convey land ? 



A. No, sir. 



Q. S6 far as the State lands are concerned that must be done by 

 the Comptroller ? 



A. Yes, sir. 



Q. As to any other lands have they any power to convey ? 



A. Not to my knowledge. 



