The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-30

VI tnc ROADS anu branches 10 The companies
undertaking the work
BILL TO aid in the construction Of certain
Railroads to the Pacific. to encourage settle.
ment on their lines, and for other purposes.
BE It Enacted &c.
That the President be, and he is hereby, au.
thorized and directed to cause the public lands
to the extent of forty miles on each side
OF the routes hereinafter mentioned, to be
surveyed. and the Indian title thereto TO be
extngushed rs soon as practicable. And
upon the payment Of ten cents per acre all
persons entitled to the presumption laws, who
have or may settle upon any Of the lands with
IN the limits above mentioned, excepting those
herein set apart and appropriated tor the use
OF said roads and for other purposes.) shall be
entitled TO the provisions Of the act Of ls4l,
granting presumption rights, and the acts
amendatory thereof.
Sec. 2. That there be, and hereby 10, granted
to the States aud Territories that are or may be
formed upon the lines of the herein mentioned
roads, for the purpose Of aiding in the construc.
ton Of railroads to the Pacific-from Lake Su.
perior to Pugets Sound, with branch to the
navigable waters OF the Columbia I: from the
western border Of the State of Missouri to San
Francisco; also from the western border of the
State OF Texas TO San Pedro or San Diego to
the Bay OF San FranciscO--every alternate sec
ton Of land designated by odd numbers, for
en- sections in width on each side of said roads
aud branches: but in case it shall appear that
the United states have. when the lines or
routes Of said roads and branches are definitely
hxed, sold any sections or parts Of sections
granted as Aforesaid or that the right Of pre-.
emption has attached to the same, then il shall
be lawful tor any agent or agents, to be APP
pointed by the governors of said States or Ter.
ritOfle1 a select auhiart IN yat nf
the Secretary of the Interior, from the lands Of
The United states nearest to the tiers of Sec
tons above specified, so much land in alternate
sections or parts OF sections a. shall he equal
to such lands a. the United States have sold or
otherwise appropriated or 10 W ch the rights
OF presumption have attached as aforesaid
which lands (thus selected in lieu Of those
sold, and to which pre- emption rights have
attached a. aforesaid together with the sec
tons or parts OF sections designated by odd
numbers AZ Aforesaid, and appropriated as
aioresaid) shall be held by the said States or
Territories. respectively for the uses and pur-
poses Aforesaid Proridsd. That the land TO be
80 located shall IN no case be further than TWEEN
~ miles from the lines Of said roads or branch.
es and selected for and on account of each of
SAID roads or branches: Protided further That
the lands hereby granted for and on account
of said roads and branches, seyerally. shall he
exclusively applied in ths construction OF that
road Tor an1 on account OF which such lands are
hereby granted, and shall be disposed Of only
as the WORK progresses, and the same shall be
applied 10 no other purpose whatsoever: And
proridd tWth.r, that any and all lands hereto.
lore reserved TO the United States by any act
oil Congress, or ~ any other manner by compe.
tent authority, Tor the purpose Of aiding in any
object OF internal impros ement, or for any 9th.
er purpose whatsoever. be and the same are
hereby. reserved TO the l. ted states from the
- Al Gttn ft act
found necessary 10 locate the routes of said
railroads aud branches through such reserved
lands, IN which case the right Of way only shall
be granted, subject to the approval Of the
President OF the United States
Sec ). That the said lands hereby granted
TO The said states or Territories shall be sub.
jet to the future disposal Of the legislatures
thereof, respectively, Tor the purposes herein
expressed and no ether.
Sec. 1. That the land hereby granted to said
state, or Territories shall be disposed of by
said states or Territories in the manner follow
ing, tia, Is 10 say That a quantity Of land not
exceeding tive hun red sections for each Of said
ROADS ana branches, and included within con.
tinuous length VI twenty miles Of each Of said
roads and branches. may be sold: aud when
the governors OF sad States or Territories re.
spectFeiy, shall certify TO the Secretary Of the
Interior that any twenty continuous mile. of
SAID roads or branches is completed. then an
other Yuahtt' OF land hereby granted, not 20
exceed two hundred section. for each Of said
rosds aud branches. having twenty continuou.
miles completed. A. Aforesaid, and included
within continuous length oftweni miles OF spy
OF each Of sad roads or branches, may be sold.
AMI 50 rom time to time, unli said roads and
branches are completed; and 4 any Of said
roads or branches is no, completed within
twenty wears. 20 further sales shall be made.
and the lands snsosd shall revert TO the United
~tsres,