New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-06

q, ae grant. for bounty lands swsmps, railroads,
a. had previously been disposed OF. The sale for
the third quarter Of the current calendar year are
more bsn twice heavy those for the correspond
ing quarter Of the previous year. though the locations
are Ices numerous. From the 30th Of September,
1853, to the 3oth Of September, 1854, 9,3ei,46i
acres were surveyed, chiefly in Wisconsin, Iowa,
Minnesota and Florida, and s,leO,9l7 acres were
brought into market This is exclusive Of the sur
veys in California, Oregon and Washington, amount
ing 10 AL acres, which have not yet been
proclaimed for sale. The Commissioner says, on
en- average full or ehrd more business has been d,ne
In the Office during the past year than in the preceding
of the 26,543 760 acres embraced by the lsnd war
rant now issued 90 1885, eco have been located
leaving only 3O7 eco acres to be satisfied. The re-
port gives a minute detail Of the labors of the De-
partnent, and recommends more secure deposits Tor
the books and pspers and then presents The opera
tons Of the various State and Territorial surveyors.
With regard TO railroad lands it is stated that at the
instance Of several Members OF Congress and Others
about 81 900 geo Of in several Of the aod states
had been Withdrawn from market, in anticipation OF
grsnts for rarC ad and oher internal Improvements
As such grants we're not made 1t was deemed expe-
dent 10 r. store these masses Of lands to market es
pecisy in view Of the passage Of the bill grad atng
the price Of public lands, and this has been done
| except where the reservation was for a fixed
period, or have already been made. In view
| of tie increase Of business consequent on the
| operations Of the law graduating the price Of
the public lands and the decrease in the compen.
sation Of the land Offices caused by that reduction
the Commis.orer recommends better provision for re-
uunerating land officers, with allowances for clerk
| J,0,n ne tbo pft Ia Gradu
ton Jaw the reporssys: judging from the reports
received, has been productive Of much fraud and
perjury and proved seriously injurious to the actual
settlers oil the public domain As far as practicable
these evils have been remedied BY construction and
instructions; but the law is inherently defective.
| If it be designed to eDgraft this feature per-
msnenhy on our land system, the privilege Of
purcbasipg at the graduated price should have
been limited to preemptors, or made general
10 all. Now, it is alleged, that persons take
The oath required by the law with the mental
qualification that the land will be required for actual
settlement and cultivation at some future time.
Others It is stated have employed men to go forward
and make the affidavit paying all their expenses, and
also paying for the land-the employer agreeing to
give his employees, in fee simple, portion, say an
eighth or quarter Of the land entered, retaining
The DauDce. Inc Ollncuiues are
as will be seen in the report. The Commissioner dis
cussos at length the granting Of land to the States,
and for railroad and other Improvements -
With record to the Pacific Railroad, he says: The
necessity Of such mode Of communication becomes
daily more apparent and that the only way it can be
secured is by grants Of land; and adds, that should
the land system be crippled this work and all others
of like character will be rendered impracdcable. If
the obec sought in the passage of the Graduation Act
was TO get rid of the lands practicable, he
ssys there lie but little doubt that object will be at
tanned by it. If, on the contrary, the suppostion
was that the lands would not sell for more,
his statements, he presumes viii SATISFACTORY
ly show that supposition to be erroneous.
The sales have always been equalto the demand the
supply far, very far beyond it. The demand at the
reduced prices will be increased but chiefly for pur
poses of speculation, and the hardy and enerprsiny
settler, instead Of dealing with kind and patsrps
Government in the purchase Of his lands and secar-
ing perfect title will have TO look to the wealthy mo-
nopot and trust to his tender mercies, with the risk
hat his title is encountered by prior liens aud mort
gagas. With such views the Commissioner says the
natural suggestion is that the graduation law be rad
icaly amended if it be the pleasure of Congress to
eugrefi it permanently on the land system and, in
that event. it is further suggested that the l2i cent
class be abolished or rather donsed to the States
specvely in which II ey lie the profit will scarcely
defray the expense of disposing of them.