The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-13

Washington, and the formation of stree,
railroad through Pennsylvania Avenue, are
the principal recommendations of the Com
missioner of Public Buildings.
Under the new arrangement for the Con
gressonal printing, saving of fifty per
cent has been effected on the work for the
Executive Departments; and in the bind
ing, reduction of about 81 900 per month
THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE
LAND OFFICE.
ln furnishing the country with the de.
tails OF his department, Mr.. Edmunds gives
US vast amount of useful and necessary in.
formation. We learn that since June 80
1860, there have been surveyed 8,8O2,l25
acres OF land, to which may be added the
number of acres which have been SURVEYED
prior to that date, and which remain still
offered for pre- 'emption, making an aggre
gate OF 81, ,555 ,595 acres. These lands are
liable to proclamation and subject to pre-
emption. Ii we add to the number of sur
7eyed lands heretofore liable to private sale
and pre.emptiOn, We find it leaves in the
possession ofthe United States, on the Both
OF September, 1861, grand total of 1884,
2l8,33O acres surveyed, unsold, offered and
unofered.
MIR. Edmunds says in speaking OF the
bounty land system, that the operations Oi
the land system, and the disposal OF the
public lands, have been checked and SUP
pressed by the political differences OF the
country, growing out of the hostile attitude
assumed towards the United States by the
authorities controlling the States in revolt
against the Federal Government, and he
adds the gratifying fact, Notwithstanding
these causes, and the necessary withdrawal
ior military service of large number of
our citizens from agricultural employ
ment. the general disturbance OF trade
and the exciting causes affecting the
social system, the energy of our people
and the strength OF our institutions mau-
ifest the nselves in the fact that, unaid-
ed by public sales of fresh lands, actual set
Elements have increased to such an extent
that he estimates that.during the past year
forty thousand new eighty>acre farms have
been added to the wealth of the Republic.
The details OF the surveys 10 the different
Territories OF the West are elaborated By
MIR. Edmunds, but they are hardly OF specia!
interest to the country. They exhibit,
however, degree OF energy in consolidating,
improving, arranging, and rendering useful
these vast, uninhabited and almost unknown
regions, which reflects the greatest credit
upon the people and the authorities. Mir
Edmunds suggests that the public surveys
In Utah be discontinued, until policy may
be devised by Congress which will induce
others than Mormons to emigrate to that
Territory. The influence of the Nor
mon church is paramount in Utah. 1t
is virtually an isolated Territory of the
Union, ana it is thought advisable not to
continue unnecessary and unremunerative
labor. The surveying service continues 10
Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas, but
mas been interrupted in Missouri, Louisiana
and Florida, by the political disturbances
IN those States; the archives of the sur
veyors of Louisiana and Florida having
been surrendered to the Confederate au-
thorlties. MIR. Edmands, 10 his report, SUBJ
mits reduced estimates for the surveying
department, ID consequence ot the drain
upon the treasury for war purposes, and
diminished receipts for the sale of lands aud
the cessation OF emigration to these wild
fields of pubic domain. He thinks. in the
present condition of public affairs, it would
De preJudicial to great public or private
interests to enlarge the surveying appropri.
ations and he very properly thinks that
sound policy recommends that all surveys
snail advance according to the requirements
OF actual settlements.
Inc pre- emptlOn principle, according to
the Commissioner, which was recognized in
the early legislation of our country, has
rlpened into a permanent system. Ia the
expansion of the system, however, and 10
Its application to uDsurveyed lands in new
States and Territories, some irregularities
have arisen demanding legislative interven.
ton. La this connection he alludes to a
new point OF interest at the present time.
HIS attention has been drawn to the con-
dltlon OF persons claiming pre- emptions
and wishing to enlist in the service OF the
hepuoiic, who are desirOns OF ascertaining
whether such prescriptions will be protected
during the absencs o! the claimants. Having
no oOuot OF the justice OF the principle
which will protect the interests OF claim
ants, under such circumstances, it has re-
ceived the sanction of the Commissioner
with this qualification, that the pre- emptor
is an actual resident upon and cutivatOr ol
the tract claimed. has filed bis declaratory
statement, and has fully observed the re
quirements OF the pre-emption law, up to
the period OF his enlistment. 10 that case
he holds the time of actual military service
will not be so considered as to result in for
feiture of his lands-provided that notice Of
his entrance into the army, and his discharge
from service, is promptly filed with the reg
ister and receiver, and that such steps are
taken as will show bona ySde intention te
returo to the tract, by leaving bis family or
the land, where be has one, and where ne
family, that the premises shall be placed il