The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-23

mines o. precious metals are 10 be found III
the Territories OF Washington, Oregon,
New Mexico, aud Kansas, aud the time
has arrived for the Government OF the
United States 10 adopt some definite policy
rs to its mineral lands. Under the act OF
March 3, 1883, providing for the survey oil
public lands in California, the surveyor gen
era is prohibited from lay ing OIL by subdi-
visional lines, those townships OF land which
! are mineral
/ The several laws securing the right OF
/ pre- cmption % actual settlers specially pro
/ vide that this right shall not attach to min
cral lands. and when mineral lands have
been sold special provisions have been made
! for the disposal of them. The question
/ presented is, shall these mineral lands be
/ forever withheld from market, and kept
I open Tor all persons who may desire to
work them, and gather their rich products,
or shall they, like agricultural lands, be sur
veyed and sold and thus pass into the
ownership OF individuals This question is
interesting and OF great moment and II Is
submitted whether it would not be wise and
/ sound policy at this time TO pass general
law reserying all auriierous. silver, aud ciu
nabar mines tho precious mctals-lrom
sale, for the use and occupancy of the people
of the United States, under such regulations
as Congress may prescribe, AMI leaving
those lands containing copper, iron, lead
and coal-thc useful minerals--subject to
the ordinary laws of settlement, and their
sale for developcmcnt. The exten, Of these
dei,es estimate, and gives assurance TO
our PEOPLE, in the future OF nnbounded
wealth.
Peace and qnie, have been restored TO
Utah, pnd some additional legislation will
be required to place its inhabitants on All
equality with those Of the other territories.
The organic act provides that the Cons,i-
tuition and Laws OF the United States, not
locally inapplicable be in full force IN said
territory. 1t is an unsettled question whc-
ther this general provision, unsupported by
any other act Of legislation, secures TO the
settlers upon the public lands IN Utah the
rights and b, nefts Of the several presumption
laws. In that territory we have already
more than two millions OF acres returned az
surveyed and ready for market. Occupants
are upon these lands. and want 10 obtain a.
tltS w WIFI Hutntt, ubhs olibou W
the Secretary, il would be an act OF justice
to the people Of Utah to establish IN that
territory u land Office and at the same time
in express terms extend the pre- emptlon
laws, 80 as to embrace oil the inhabitants
residing within its limits.
during the past year there has been much
excitement among the wild tribes in the in
terror If the continent The withdrawal OF
the troops from the military pos's on the
frontier, and their march through the Indian
country through the territory Of 9th the
passage Of the many supply trains Of great
magnitude, with their numerous attendance,
over the long route to the mme desinatiop
and the discovery of new gold miu,s in the
territories OF New Mexico, Kansas and
Washington, and in the British possessions
adjacent to cur northern boundaries west Of
the Rocky Mountains, have set in motion a
larger class Of adventures. who have tray
ersed extensive tracts Of country heretofore
untrod save by Indian tribes The opening
of three wagon roads, and the establishment
oil the overland mail routes across the cont
nent have presented new Inducements and
facilities for travelling over the plains OF
the interior and all these causes combined
have had no little influence in disturbing our
smicabe relations with those DoInadie tribes.
which subsist almost exclusively upon the
spois OF the chase.
With the exception OF the maraudng
bands that wander about the boundary be
tween the United States and Mexico to.
wards whom We should pursue an energetic
aud decisive policy, the great mass Of the
Indians are now 10 condition and temper
TO inspire the hope that increased success
will crown the Efforts now making for their
Improvement
During the year ending Both September
last. 1855 bounty land warrants were ia.
sued, requiring 1904. 40 acres 81 land to
satisfy them. Under the acts of lpi7 and
1855, there are about $4,000 bounty land
CLAIM. pending 10 the Office, originally sus
pended on account Of iniormslity. irregular
ity, or defective proof Many Of these casfs
are called up from time to time by the par
ties interested for re-'xam nation, requiring
q large amount Of labor aud patient inyesii-
CATION 10 the disposition Of them.
The whole number Of army pensioners
under the various acts 81 Congress is 10,
123, requiring for their payment the annual
sum Of 1902 700 20.
The whole number Of navy lensIober. is
e92, and The aggregate amount Of their an.
nual payment. 10 81 30 50l 10
The entire amour, which has heretofore
tecn paid under the varipds pension and
bounty land acts lar exceeds the sniIcipa-
tons Of those who advocated their enact
ncnt, and will b. learned by the country
with soms rurprise. Itappears that the To-
tai disbursement fr pensions up 10 ims date
is about $4,000 600. II 10 this snn We
add the bOuu,ies 10 land. C2.13J t3G2 acres.
and cziima,e that land a, 81 % crafts pr
acre. the total amOan, granted Tor b,gnties
snd pensions vii h. SIG t24 202.
10 spite Of the wstehialDoss and integrity
ol The officers who haze heretofore hal the
dircc, management u ,Ar Pension Bureau,
the deyelopmen, 81 the frauds Which have
bern palri~J upon 'ha, offce is Astonishing
Daring the last scar irandasn, bouny IaDd