The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-12-13

Washington, and the formation of a street
railroad through Pennsylvania Avenue, are
the principal recommendations OF the Com
missioner of Public Buildings.
Under the new arrangement for the Con
gresslonaI printing, a saving of fifty per
cent has been effected on the work for the
Executive departments; and in the bind,
ing, reduction of about 81 600 per month.
THE REPORT or THE COMMISSIONER OF THE
LAND OFFICE.
Ia furnishing the country with the de.
tails OF his department, Mr. t.dmunds gives
Us vast amount OF useful ana 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 55,555 ,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
ana pre-emptiOn, We find it leaves in the
possession ofthe United States, On the 3Oth
OF September, 1861 a grand total OF l34, =
$50 acres surveyed, uGsod, offered and
unOffered.
Mr.. Edmunds says in speaking OF the
bounty land system, that the operations OF
the land system, aud the disposal OF the
public lands, have been checked and SUD
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, ami the necessary withdrawal
Tor 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-
lfes- the DSelyes 10 the fact that. unald-
ed by puoilc sales OF fresh lands, actual set
Elements have increased to GUcl an extent
that he estimates that.during the past yeac
lorty thousand new eighty-acre farms have
pean ADDED 10 the wealth CT the Republic
the details OF the surveys 10 the different
Territories OF the West are elaborated ,-
MIR. Edmunds, but they are hardly OF special
interest to the country. Taey exhibit,
however, degree OF energy il consolidating,
improving, arranging, and rendering useful
these vast, uninhaOited and almost unknown
regions, which reflects the greatest credit
upon the people and the authorities MIR
hdmunds suggests that the public surveys
IN U5ah be discontinued until policy may
be devised by Congress which will induce
others than MOrmons to emigrata to that
Territory. lhe influence of the Nor
mon church IS paramount n Utah. 1t
is virtually an isolated Territory of the
Union, ana It IS thought advisable not to
continue unnecessary and uuremUnerative
laoor. Ihe surveying service continues iu
Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa aud Kansas. put
mas been interrupted 10 Missouri, Louisiana
ard Florida, by the political disturbances
IL those States; the archives OF the sur
Veyor5 OF Louisiana and Florida having
been surrendered to Ghe Confederate au-
thoFitles. Mr.. Edmands, i1 his report, sub,
mitS reduced estimates for the surveying
department, IN consequence OF the drain
upon tne treasury iur war purposes, and
diminished receipts for the sale oI lands aud
the cessation OF emigration to these wild
ltias OF pubic domain. He thinks. il the
present condition of public affairs. it would
De preJcdiciai to great public or private
interests 20 enlarge tie surveying appropri.
atoms and ne verg properly thinks that
SOUND p0ilcy recommends that ali surveys
snail advance according 70 the requirements
OF actual settlements
Inc pre- emptIon principle, according 70
the Commissioner, whica was recognized in
tne early legislation of our country, has
rlpened Into permanent system. Ia the
expansion of the system, however. aud in
us application TO uDsuTyeyeo lands 10 new
o-ateS and territories, some irregularities
nave arisen demanding legislative Interven.
ton In this connection he alludes 70 q
De" point OF interest at the present time.
HIS attention mas been drawn to the con
dit!on OF persons claiming pre- emptons,
and wishing 70 enlist in The service OF the
hepuo!lc. who are deslrcns OF ascer;ainIng
whether such prescriptions will be protected
during the atsenca o. the claimants. Having
no doubt of the justice OF the principle
"oiNH VIII picICCL tuS iHlciSStS Vi ClutUl-
ants, under such circumstances, it has re-
ceiyed the sanction OF the Commissioner,
with this qualification, that the pre- enptor
is au actual resident upon and cutivator OF
the tract claimed, has filed bis deciaratory
statement, and has fully observed the re
quirements of the pre-emptiou law, up to
the period OF his enlistment. In that case,
he holds the time of actual military service,
will not be so considered as to result IN for
ieltuve OF his lands-provided that notice of
his entrance into the army, and his discharge
from service, is promptly filed with tne reg.
lister and receiver, and that such steps are
taken as will show boaa fde intention to
retura to the tract, by leaving bis family on
the land, where he has one, and where no
family, that the premises shall be placed in