Oklahoma v. Texas
Headline: Court confirms survey and fixes the official boundary along the 100th meridian, declaring the precise border between Texas and Oklahoma and ordering maps sent to state and federal officials.
Holding: The Court confirmed the commissioner’s July 15, 1929 report, declared the surveyed line along the 100th meridian the true Texas–Oklahoma boundary, and ordered authenticated maps and reports delivered to state and federal officials.
- Declares the surveyed line the official Texas–Oklahoma border.
- Requires clerk to send authenticated maps and reports to state and federal leaders.
- Discharges the boundary commissioner after the work is completed.
Summary
Background
The States of Texas and Oklahoma had a boundary to be run and marked along the 100th meridian. The Court had previously issued decrees directing that work. Samuel S. Gannett was named as commissioner and on July 15, 1929 submitted a report saying he had run, located, and marked the line. No objections or exceptions to the report were presented and the time for objecting expired.
Reasoning
The central question was whether the Court should accept the commissioner’s work and make the line official. The Court reviewed the report and maps and adjudged the report “in all things confirmed.” It declared the line set out in the report and maps to be the true boundary between Texas and Oklahoma along the 100th meridian. The Court ordered the clerk to send authenticated copies of the decree, report, and maps to the chief magistrates of Texas and Oklahoma and to the Secretary of the Interior. The commissioner was discharged as having completed his duties, and the clerk was directed to distribute the copies while retaining twenty of each for certification and office needs.
Real world impact
This decree establishes the surveyed line as the official state boundary along the 100th meridian and creates an authenticated record for state and federal officials. The States and the Secretary of the Interior will receive official maps and reports. The commissioner’s work is finalized and he is discharged, and the clerk will keep certified copies for official use.
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