The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-12-23
REPORT OF TIE COMNIS~IOSSR OF
TIE GENERAL LAND OFFICE.

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THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
By the Constitution Of the United States, the
sole power s delegated 10 Congress of dispos-
ing of the public domain In the early history
OF the government measures were prescribed
for ascertainiug valid titles derived from the for
mer governments from which We acquired ter
iitorv, then carefully segregating private rights
and laving open the public domain, first to pub
lie sale and then to private entry, the latter on
credit and at minimum in excess of the lowest
price now admissible by law. Then in the pro-
gress Of events the national legislature took cog
nizince Of actual settlers. gave precedence and
preference to them in the purchase of the public
lands, not subjectng them to compete al pub
lie auction with ordinary purchasers, but, on
very liberal terms and at the lowest price, allow
ing them to secure title to actual settlements.
This policy continued retrospective until after
the operation OF pre-emptiOn law Of 1880, and
its supplements, and mp TO the passage Of the
permanent prospective pre-emptiOn system by
act of Sept 4, 1861. Whilst that law has, ike
all remedial legislation, been liable TO abuse, il
has secured titles to million of our citizens TO
their homes at lowest rates. Il took hold Of
lands offered and unofered 1t opened up the
richest aud fairest fields TO the actual settler
The instant the pre-emptor put his foot upon
tract, under the law, his title had legal incep
ton to become complete, provided he complied
With the requirements OF statute "a 70 bona fde
actual continuous settlement. Then another
step was taken by laying open the ,450, 600, 900
of public domain, whether surveyed or un-
surveyed, offered or unofered, to the actual set
tier; later legislation discardiDg pre- existing the
ories of trespsss upon the public lands so far as
actual settlers are concerned. Upon offered land
Z hos rhi
tiers are allowed to enter the rich and almost
tinue there until the surveyor has passed his
chain over lis surface and established the public
landmarks by legal divisions and subdivisions ;
then it requires Of him the filing of declara.
tiOn upon unoffered lands as the first step, Civ
ing him a reasonable period to do this after the
return of the township plats, and the usually
long credit for the period which superveues from
rendition Of plats to the day Of public sale
Congress have also dealt with lands which had
been in market ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty FIVE.
and thirty ears. and upwards. by reducing these
TO actual settlers at low rates, down to an eighth
Of dollar per acre. This benign policy, how
ever led to abuse and speculation, and Congress
rescinded the law, yet not without indicating a
continued interest in the actual settler in passing
the homestead act Of May 90, 1862, by which
every citizen can secure farm comparatively
without cost beyond nominal fees.
Then, again, Congress, in the Younger land
States aud in the Territories have duplicated the
school grant, conceded the 10th and seth Sec
zion for the noble purpose of educating the peo-
pie, and giving vigOr and power 10 the elements
Of free government.
In furtherance OF the policy of advancing the
settlement Of the West, we have the munifcent
grant of 10000 acres to each of the land States
tor internal Improvements, land grants for uni.
versites, for railroads, which already span sew.
eral States, the rail = avs constructed upon the
basis of the proceeds Of public lands, and finally
for grant of l5,5O0,00O acres 10 the Pacific
railway, which is destined to strengthen. unite
consolidate, not merely the interests, material
industrial and commercial, Of the Atlantic and
Pacific, but Of that empire inland region which
exists between these oceans.
Besides these measures Congress, by the acts
of March :, SAG, and September 2s, 1850, and
its supplements, have conceded TO certain States
the swamp land within their limits the aegre.
gate selected thus far reaching nearly So, 900, -
900 acres. In addition TO these appropriate
tons, nearly 65, 900, 900 acres have been granted
for military service in the Revolutionary war
war with Great Britain, Mexico, &c. 1t would
require too much detail even TO glance at the
multitude OF grants for benevolent and educa-
tonal purposes, the last prominent one being
that for agricultural and mechanical colleges
equal to the loyal States Of $3.50, 900 acres.
This policy, thus enlarged, indicates the de-
sign Of Congress not to look to the public lands
as a source OF direct revenue, but rather, by en-
cOuraging actual settlement and important works
OF internal improvement, to quicken the settle
ment of the country, and, by increasing ndvid-
ual wealth, secure national riches and prosperity.
The result Is, that for the wear ending June so
1868, the aggregate cash sales amounted 10 81 =
S54. 10 acres, and $lS6,O77 95.
For the quarter ending sept. 80, 1855,
the cash sales were.-...........-- 7o557s s. acres
Amounting 70 $40 ,Oe2 IS.
For the year ending June so. 1s6S
there were disposed of bE bounty
land lOc-iions-.- 464 $50 acres
For tho quarter ending September 90,
lse5--.-.: -.:--..-.-...-.-.-........ 1oI ,2e7 acres
Fer swamp lands approved for the
fiscal year ending June so, 1S6S.. 5O72s 81 acre.
Fer ditto for the quarter ending Sept
81, ls62. .;...........:.--.;---.... none.
For railroad purposes fo- the year
ending June 81, SIS ei9 81 sores
For ditto for the quarter ending sept.
80, ls6S. .............. IS -449s 81 acres