The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-13
Grants OF Land for Railroads.

AS the public attention is at This time strongly directed
the policy which has been OF late years acted upon BY
Congress in several ms ances OF granting alternate sec
lions Of the public lands under appropriate conditions and
restrictions, for the construction of railroads passing
through the public domain, and thus largely enhancing
the value Of the lands remaining in the hands OF the
government, very cheeully comply with the request
which has been made to US 10 repubsh the suboined
clear and condensed statement Of the main features Of
The system as viewed by its advocates and supporters
We COPY from late money article Of the New York
Herald;
Daring the present session Of Congress several grants
OF pubic lands been made to r1iroad
aid the construction Of lines passing through the public do
main Great dissatisfaction has been expressed relative
this Wholesale sposal OF the public and and the
has received considerable opposition the popular branch
Congress The OF this ia the fact that the prime pie
upon which the grant 10 made Is properly understood
Tho truth is that the actually avail themselves
tho railroads make the public lands marketable, by
giving oae; aud encouraging settlers make purchases
ia districts which have hitherto been entirely neglected
For the purpose Of placing this question before the public
mind IN tho proper light, aud TO remove eiiectualy all
preudiccs, extract from the bill granting the
right Of way, aud making grant OF land tho State
Michigan, Ia trust, for constructing railroad rom Sagi
nav 10 Macknuw
GRANTING PUBLIC LANDS TO RAILROAD COMPANIES
SIC l. That the right Of way through the public lands
be- and the same Is hereby, granted 70 the state 81 Rcht
In the county ofSaginaw the straits Of Macknaw,
by way Of Grand Traverse Day la said State the
that has been may be desgnaed by the legsa
thereof with the right also ake necessary materials
earth and timber for Tho thereof from
the public lands Of the United States adjacent said rail-
road Protdtd, That the right Of way shall exceed
one hundred feet each side oil the limo OF said foad
and copy Of the survey Of said road made under the di
econ the legislature shall be frwRTdcd the proper
local land offices respectively and 10 the Gonora Land
Office n Washington city within ninety days after the COM
pleton of the
$50 lind be il further enacted That there be- and is
hereby granted tho State Of Michigan, for the purpose
OF aiding in making the railroad aforesaid, every alternate
section OF land designated by even numbers Tor SIX sections
in width each side OF sad road which lands shall DO
held by the Stale OF Michigan for the and purpose
aioesadt Provided That the lands here by granted shall
be exclusively applied in tue construction Of said road and
shalt be disposed of only the work progresses, aud the
shall be applied to other purpose wbasopveri
dHd provided fWtn, That any and all lands heretofore
reserved the United States by act OF Congress-
any other by competent authority, for tho purpose
Of aiding in object OF internal improvement Tor
other purpose whatsoever, be- and the same hereby
served the United States from the operation Of this
except far as may DO found necessary to locate the
Of the said railroad through such reserved lands la
which the right Of way only shall be granted.
SIC. Ind BE- Il further enacfed That the econs and
parts of OF land which, by such grant,
to the United States within six miles on each side Of said
road, shall not be sold for less than double the minimum
price Of the public lands when sold
/" sSEo dnd be a further enacttd, That the said lands
hereby granted the said Ssto shalt be subject to tho
disposal Of the legislature thereof for the purpose aofesnd
and other and the sad railroad shall be aud eai
public highway Tor the OF the government Of the Dnued
States free from toll or other charge, npon the uanspor
g Sec And be IL further enacted, That " the said rail
road shall be pleed within years. the said State
Of Michigan shall be bound pay 70 the United States hs
lands BY sfd State the tide to the purchasers under
sad State remaining valid and tho tile the residue of
said lands shall renyes in the United Sstes TO have and