Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-05-03
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1862
The Extension of the Surveys of the Pub.
lie Lands

We have been shown a letter from our Dele
from which We infer that little Or nothing will
be appropriated this Year for extending the
surveys, and unless something is done that
will enable the Treasury to realize money
from the lands, nothing of consequence will be
appropriated for years TO come.
1t has now become the settled policy of the
Government not to look to the sales of the
public lands as a source of revenue, beyond
what is necessary to defray the expenses of
the land system and it seems to be equally
we'll settled that nothing will be appropriated
for prosecuting the public surveys except what
is derived from the sale ofthe lands
1t is not our purpose to find fault with this
policy, for we arc disposed to regard it as both
equitable and just to the new States and Ter
ritories, where the lands lie. The policy of
the government towards Oregon and Wash
ington, has been extremely liberal, and although
our citizens may suffer great Inconvenience in
not having the surveys extended over their
donation and prevention claims, they have no
right to complain of the Government for not
appropriating money derived from other
sources of revenue for this purpose, more ex-
pecially in the embarrassed condition of the
Treasury. On the contrary, they will no
doubt he willing to submit to temporary in
convenience, until such times as we shall be
able to raise money out Of the lands for de-
fraying at least the expenses of the surveys.
1t is well known that the land offices in
Oregon and Washington do not receive money
enough from the sale of lands under the pre-
emption laws to more than pay the salary Of
the Receivers; thus leaving the four Registers
and the two Surveyor Generals Offices, direct
charge npon the Treasury, amounting to some
sixty thousand dollars year.
The question is, how can this be remedied!
What plan can be adopted for making the
lands in Oregon and Washington dcfray this
expenditure, and furnish fund for extending
the surveys as fast as they may be needed tor
settlement! 1t is generally conceded that
NOuStceS hsie porecu TIC AAoihcese"u A'h''
which will occupy large portion Of our
choicest lands before they are surveyed, OF
subject to entry at the minimum price per
acre; still very many Of those settlers would
prefer paying for their l6O ocres. to being OBJ
liged to reside upon it for five consecutive
years, and besides large portion Of them
would require more than l6O acres for ahome-
stead for themselves and family. A large
number Of the presumption claimants are now
occupying the public land, that have not yet
paid the minimum price Of 81 25 per acre, and
who will not do it, until the lands are offered
fos sale.
Large portions Of Oregon aud Washington
have been surveyed for eight and ten years.
The best Of the land has been taken under
the donation aud prevention laws, but large
amount is still vacant. that is only valuable
for its timber. or for grazing purposes. Most
of this would be entered at the minimum price
Of 81 IS per aers. II brought into market. and
we can zee no good reason why this should not
Be done without further delay. Indeed VIC
think Il would be sound policy to at once