Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-01
THE LAND BILL.

we perceive That much mlsapprehenslon ex-
lists as to the Land bill now pending before the
House Of Representatives The feature of the
bill which has been subjected to the greatest
misconstruction, is that which gives pre-
emption right to actual settlers, and patent
after five years cultivation, and the payment of
twenty-five cents an acre for one class of the
public lands, and twelve and a half cents an
acre for the other class. We are sorry to see
that our able and sagacious friends of the
Richmond Examiner and South Side Democrat
oppose this feature of the bill, and that their
opposition is SO great as to array them against
the whole measure.
The idea has gone abroad that the actual
settler may fail to come forward at the end OF
five years to obtain perfect title to the land
he has in cultivation, and yet hold it against
oil corners. This is great mistake. Mr..
Hunters bill does not place the actual settler
in such position as that. 1t only confers on
him a presumption right, which may be per-
fected by the payment of a stipulated sum at
the end Of FIVE years. If the title is not thus
perfected within the time specified, the bin
ceases to operate, and the preemption RICH,
expires; so that any citizen may step forward
and purchase from the government, the land
which has been occupied more than FIVE years,
unless patent has been obtained in the mode
and manner set forth in the bill.
1t is clear that entries will be made, if Mr.
Hunters bill should pass, with bona tfde in
tention to cultivate the land and pay the price
demanded by the government. This is clear,
because settlement and cultivation is condi-
tion precedent TO the presumption right, and
because that settlement and cultivation must be
continuous and unbroken for FIVE years, in order
to keep alive that right. 1t is clear, too, that
the settlers will pay the sum demanded by the
government; for it is not to be presumed that
any one viii open farm for another's use and
enjoyment. Indeed, we have but little doubt
that vast majority of the settlers would wish
to perfect their title before the expiration Of
that this is the case in Oregon at the present
time. The law organizing that Territory con-
ferred presumption rights on actual settlers
there, and now those settlers are coming for
ward to pay at once, so as TO perfect their
titles. tar
The principle we are discussing has been
repeatedly applied to the Territories, and We
have heard no one question its propriety. Mr.
Hunter proposes to extend it to all the public
land, and we cannot see that the extension
alters the principle. Even at the present SEES
sion of Congress o bill was passed through
both houses and approved by the President
which gives quarter section Of land to actual
settlers in the Territory Of New Mexico without
the payment of anything. These are the words
Of the law; rsf
"Src 2. And Be IL fittther enacted That 10 every
white mule citizen OF the United States or every
white male above the age of twenty-one years
who has declared his intention 10 become a cii
zen, and who was residing in said Territory prior
10 the first day Of January, eighteen hundred and
6fty.three, and who may be still residing there
there shall be- and hereby is, donated one quarter
section or one hundred and sixty acres of land
And TO every white male citizen Of the United
States, or every white male above the age OF
twenty one wears who has declared his intention
10 become citizen, and who shall have removed
or shall remove 70 and settle in said territory, be-
tWctu thc Hfrt 0ay Of Jduud'1, tibutcch huhu'c"
and f0y.three, and the first day OF January, eigh
teen hundred and fhy-eigbt, there shall in like
manner be donated one quarter section, or one
hundred and sixty acres on condition Of Actual
settlement and cultivation for not less than foui
years Provided, ho,oevev, That each OF said dona.
lions shall include the actual settlement and i'm
provement of the donee, aud shall be selected by
legal subdivisions, within threemon,hs aferthe sur.
vey OF the land where the settlement was made be-
fore the survey and where the settlement was made
afier the survey, then within three months after
the settlement has been made; and all persons
failing 10 designate the boundaries oftheir claims
within that line, shall forfeit all RICH, to the same
This is not an extract from bill pending,
but from law which has been passed and ap.
proved. 1t goes much further than Mr.. Hun.
ter's bill proposes to go, for it gives quarter
section Of land in New Mexico, freely, and
without price yet we did not hear any com
plants against this feature Of the law when
Il was pending before Congress, nor have we
heard any dsnuncistions Of II since il became