Chapter 312. Relating to commutations of homestead entries, and to confirm such entries when commutation proofs were received by local land officers prematurely
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CHAP. 312.— An Act Relating to commutations of homestead entries, and to confirm such entries when commutation proofs were received by local land officers prematurely.June 3, 1896. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,* That whenever it shall appear Public lands. Confirmation of homestead entries prematurely commuted. R. S. sec. 2301, p. 421. to the Commissioner of the General Land Office that an error has heretofore been made by the officers of any local land office in receiving premature commutation proofs under the homestead laws, and that there was no fraud practiced by the entryman in making such proofs, and final payment has been made and a final certificate of entry has been issued to the entryman, and that there are no adverse claimants to the land described in the certificates of entry whose rights originated prior to making such final proofs, and that no other reason why the title should not vest in the entryman exists except that the commutation was made less than fourteen months from the date of the homestead settlement, and that there was at least six months’ actual residence in good faith by the homestead entryman on the land prior to such commutation, such certificates of entry shall be in all things confirmed to the entryman, his heirs, and legal representatives, as of the date of such final certificate of entry and a patent issue thereon; and the title so patented shall inure to the benefit of any grantee or transferee in good faith of such entryman subsequent to the date of such final certificate: *Provided,* That this Act shall not apply to commutation and *Proviso.* Exception. homestead entries on which final certificates have been issued, and which have heretofore been canceled when the lands made vacant by such cancellation have been reentered under the homestead Act.
Sec. 2. That all commutations of homestead entries shall be allowed Allowance of commutation. after the expiration of fourteen months from date of settlement. Sec. 3. That all Acts and parts of Acts in conflict with any of the Repeal, etc. provisions of this Act are hereby repealed. Sec. 4. That this Act shall take effect and be in force from and after Effect. its passage and approval. Approved, June 3, 1896.