Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-09-07

HE LAND GRADUATION Acf.-At
the. late session of Congress, a bill was
passed to graduate the price of public
lands to actual settlers. Lands that
have been in the market over ten years,
are to be sold for one dollar per acre;
if in market over fifteen years. for
seventy.fve cents per acre; if in mar
ket over twenty years, for fifty cents
per acre; and if in the market over
twenty-five years. for twenty-five cents
per acre. As it is a matter of general
interest to the people of Ohio, We pub
lsh the law.
AN ACT to graduate and reduce the price of
the public lands to actual settlers and cult
yators.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives Of the United Stotes Of
America, IN Congress assembled. That
all of the public lands of the United
States which shall have been in market
for ten years or upward, prior to the
time of application to enter the same
under the provisions of this act, and
still remaining unsold, shall be subject
to sale at the price of one dollar per
acre; and all of the lands of the United
States that shall have been in market
for fifteen years or upward, as afore-
said. and still remaining unsold, shall
be subject to sale at seventy-fve cents
per acre; and all of the lands of the
United States that shall have been in
market for twenty years or upward, as
aforesaid, and still remaining unsold,
shall be subject to sale at fifty cents per
acre; andSll of the lands of the United
States that shall have been in market
for twenty-five years or upward, as
aforesaid, and still remaining unsold,
shall be subject to sale at twenty-five
cents per acre: and all lands of the
United States that shall have been in
market for thirty years or more, shall
be SUBJECT to sale at twelve and half
cents per acre; ProUided, This section
shall not be so construed as to extend to
lands reserved to the United States, in
acts granting lands to States for railroad
and other internal Improvements, or to
mineral lands held at over one dollar
and twenty-five cents per acre.
SEC. Q. And be it further enacted,
That upon every reduction in price
under the provisions of this act, the
occupant and settler upon the lands,
shall have the right of pre-emption at
such graduated price, upon the same
terms, conditions, restrictions and limi-
tations upon which the public lands of
the United States are now subject to
the right of pre-emption. until within
thirty days preceding The next gradua-
ton or reduction that shall take place;
and if not so purchased shall again be
subject to right of pre-emption for eleven
months as before, and so on from time
to time, as reductions take place: Pro
vided, That nothing in this act shall be
so construed as TO interfere with any
right which has or may accrue by virtue
oil any act granting pre-empuon to actual
settlers upon public lands. @
SEC. 5. And be Il further enacted,
That any person applying to enter any
of the aforesaid land shall be required
to make affidavit before the Register or
Receiver of the proper land Office that
he or she enters the same for his own
or her own use, and for the purpose Of
actual settlement and cultivation. or for
the use of an adjoining farm or planta-
ton, owned or occupied by him or her
self, and together with said entry he or
she has not acquired from the United
States, under the provisions of this act,
more than three hundred and twenty
acres, according to the established sur.
veys; 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.
Approved, August 4th, 1854.