Case v. Bowles

The Congressional Enabling Act providing for the State of Washington’s admission to the Union granted certain lands to that State “for the support of common schools.” 25 Stat. 676, 679. Section 11 of the Enabling Act provided that these lands should “be disposed of only at public sale, and at a price not less than ten dollars per acre . . .” The State Constitution provides that these lands shall not be sold except “at public auction to the highest bidder” at a price which may not be below both the full market value found after appraisal and “the price prescribed in the grant” of these lands.…