The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-01-29
A BILL.

Granting Lands 10 the Territory Of Kansas In al
ternate Sections 10 aid in the construction Of
Railroads therein named.
Be 1t enacted By the Senate and House OF
Representatives Of the United States o.
America in Congress assembled:
SECTION l. That there be, and hereby
is, granted to the Territory of Kansas, to
aid in the construction of the following
railroads, to wit; A railroad from the
eastern boundary of the Territory at OF
near the mouth of the Kansas, river on the
east side, by way of Wyandott and Quin-
daFo, and touching the Kansas River at or
opposite Lawrence, Lecompton and Fort
Rily, to the northern boundary of the
Territory in the direction of Fort Bridger.
A railroad from Leavenworth to the
southern boundary of the Territory in the
direction of Fort Gibson and Galveston
bay, with branch running south of the
Kansas valley to the southern boundary
of the Territory in the direction of Fort
Union.
A railroad from Atchison via Fort Rily,
and connecting with the Fort Union
branch of the railroad from Leavenworth.
A railroad from the western boundary
of Missouri south of the 4th standard
parallel where the Usage Valley and
southern Kansas railroad terminates, and
running from that point westwardly by
way of Burlington to Euporia in said
Territory ; each alternate section of land
designated by edd sections for seven sec
tions in width on each side of said roads
Provided, That the lands hereby granted
for and on account of said roads severally
shall be exclusively applied in the con-
struction of that road for which such
lands are hereby granted, and shall be
disposed of only as the work progresses,
and the same shall be applied to no other
purpose whatsoever; And provided further,
That all mineral lands, and all lands
heretofore reserved to the United States
by any act of Congress, or in any ether
manner by competent authority, for the
purpose of aiding in any object of inter-
nal improvement, or for any other purpose
whatsoever, be, and the same are hereby
reserved to tina United States from the
operation Of this Act, except so far as it
may be found necessary to locate the
routes of said railroads through such, re-
served lands, in which case the right of
way only shall be granted, subject to the
approval of the President of the United
States.
SEC. 2. And Be IL further enacted, That
the sections and parts of sections Of land
which, by such grant, shall remain to the
United States within seven miles on each
side of said roads, shall not be sold for
less than double the minimum or gradu-
ated price of the public lands when sold;
and this provision shall be applicable to
all laws heretofore passed granting lands
to States or Territories 10 aid in the con-
struction Of railroads therein NOR shall
any of said lands become subject to pri.
vate entry until the same shall have been
first offered at public sale at the increased
price.
SEC. 8. And Be It further enacted, That
the said lands hereby granted to the said
Territory shall be subject to the disposal
of the Legislature of the said Territory
for the purposes aforesaid, and no other
and the said railroads shall be and remain
public highways for the use of the Gov
ernments of the United States. free from
toll or charge upon the transportation of
any property or troops of the United
States.
SEC. 4. And be It further enacted, That
the lands hereby granted to said Territory
shall be disposed Of by said Territory
only in the manner following: that is to
say, that quantity Of land, not exceed
ing one hundred and forty sections for
each Of said roads, may be sold and
when the Governor,f said Territory shall
certify to the Secretary of the Interior
that any twenty continuous miles Of any
Of said roads are completed, then an
other quantity Of land hereby granted,
not to seceed one hundred and forty sec