Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-08-16
GRADUATION BILI,s


The following is the Graduation Bill which passed
Congress at its late session. and was approved by
the President. We see nothing it to object to- It
viii be observed it does not contain the homestead
feature, but is intended only as fair and modera-
ton graduation act.
We indebted to the attention of the Hon.
Thomas Ruffin for copy tss :: -
AN ACT To graduate and reduce the price of the
public lands to actual settlers and cultyators
Be 1T enacted By the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatiues of the United States Of AnaeraGG in Con
gTess assembled, That all of the public lands of the
United States which shall have been in market for
ten years or upwards, prior to the time of appea-
ton to enter the same under the provisions of this
act, and still remaining unsold, shall be subject to
sale at the price ofone dollar per and all of the
lands of the United States that shall have been in
market for fifteen years or upwards, as aforesaid
and still remaining nsold shall be subject to sale at
seventyive cents per acre; and all of the lands of
the United States that shall have been in market for
twenty years upwards, aforesaid, and still re-
manning unsod shall be subject to sale at fifty cents
per acre and all of the lands of the United States
that shall have been in market for twenty-five years
upwards aforesaid, and still remaining unsold,
shall be subject to sale at twenty-five cents per acre;
and all the lands ofthe United States that shall have
been in market for thirty years more, shall be
subject to sale at twelveand -ahalf cents per
Pr0Uided, This section shall not be so construed
to extend to lands reserved to the United States, in
acts granting lands to States for railroad other in
ternal improvements, or to mineral lands held at
one dollar and twenty five cents per acre.
Sec. 2. And be 1t further enacted, That upon eve
ry reduction in price under the provisions of this
act, the occupant and settler upon the lands shall
have the right of presumption at such graduated
price, upon the TERMS conditions restrictions,
and limitations, upon which the public lands of the
United States subject to the right of pre-
emption until within thirty days preceding the next
graduation reduction that shall take place and if
not purchased shall again be subject to the right
of redemption for eleven months, before, and
on from time to time, reductions take place. Pro
rided, That nothing in this act shall be construed
as to interfere with any right which has may
crue by virtue of any act granting presumption to
actual settlers upon public lands.
SEC. 3. Ind be 1T FURTHER cnucted That any per-
applying to enter any of the aforesaid land shall
be required to make affidavit before the register
receiver of the proper land Office, that he she
tiers the same for his her use and for the
purpose of actual settlement and cultivation, for
the of an adjoining farm plantation owned or
occupied by him or herself and, together with said
entry, he or she has not acquired from the United
States, under the provisions of this act, than
three hundred and twenty acres, according to the
established surveys; and if any person or persons
taking such oath or affidavit shall swear falsely in
the premises, he or she shall be subject to all the
pains and penalties of perjury.
Passed the House of Representatives, April II,
1854.
Attest: JOHN W. FORNEY, Clerk.