Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-12-12

Tho report OF the Hon. Joseph s. Wilsons
Comuiseioner Of the Land Ofine. stated
that the area Of the pablo lands. exclusive
o. the Russian purchases. is ] 400. soy
acres. The extent Of Russian America Is
estimated at 81, 800 square miles. or so9,-
539, 600 acres, making total OF ,e34.s'e,
400 acres. The aggregate Of public lands
which have been surveyed 10 1921 l,I7s
leaving a residue Of SAC, 6s6,c acres yes
uumeasu-ed.
The quantity OF rubiic lands dis
posed Of during the last fiscal
year ...................... s,Oii. 1880
OF which were sold for ctsh....... 7ys, Gle 81
Located with military bounty land
~arr,.nts 47s,Tso %
Taken for homestesds under the
acts Of 1869, a., and 'ss. ... I.5ss, oasU
swamp .in plses". ............. 1850. cse.s4
For indemnity swamp selections. ss,l2s.ss
Titles vested in certain Stafes un.
ship canal grant. for . SCI, iss.ss
And located with agricultural and
mechanic college scrip, together
with selections made by States
within their respective limits 2,420, o73.7s
The amount received on cash sales,
prescriptions, ETC., was. ......ol, SH, s62. 62
The excess Disposed Of over pre-
vious year WAS lscres)......... AN, 800 90
In aid Of the railways of the United
States, Congress. BY different ensctmsnts,
has granted. By estimate, 124, goo. 900 acres.
Land couesssions have also been heretofore
granted to Illinsis, lows, Michigan, Ks0sss.
Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arkansas,
Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana.
and California, amounting TO 575ss,5 Sl
acres. Including the qusntity granted for
wagon roads, it is estimate that in the az
gre:ate there have been conceded in round
numbers one hundred and eighty -four mil
lions eight hundred and thirteen thoussnd
and nine hundred acres, Of which quantity
there have been already certified to the
proper bensficiariss within fraction OF 81,
900 900 acres This muni6cence IS further
augmented by the financial credit on thu
issuing OF bonds in favor OF certain com
panies. Eminently advantageous as the re
suits may be from these franchises, It i
submitted that the future policy should s.
economise the public land fund A. to re
strict 1t only to such works - may be o
indispensable public necessity. and the
c,ufinjng the eJnoession 10 the most Unite
bases compatible with the success Of the er
terpriss, because the public domain 10
great uotiOuul ucSNoScs oHo osAvusV ~ wv"
. ed to o. source Of wealth for ages TO come
The quantity Of lands conveyed by thes
grants "a ofempifs extent. exceeding In tt
aggregate BY more than five millions I
. | ares the entire areas Of the six New En-!
!. land States added 10 the surface Of Ne
: York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. OH.
A Della were, MARYLAND and Virginia. Not onl
! do these immense quantities eventualI
pass from the United States and beyon
The reach of those wishing to avail then
selves Of the presumption or homestes
laws, but pending their adjustment it hi
I become necessary to withdraw from ma
b kst large tracts bordering on the roads
order 10 await the contamination OF It
sailrcad grants. 1t should further b u
purpose to guard the public lands from
, tendency to lessen to any considerable @
J. tent the sphere and opportunities Of OF
people for obtaining homes upon easy CO
ditons.