Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-08-07

Of the public land. There ia really no
market price Of real estate, and what are
called improred claims, except very eligi-
bly, situated, will seldom command the
actual cost of the improvements. This is
likely to continue while there are 80 many
facilities to purchase lands from the Unitrd
States. A man will not sell without he
feels obliged to, and when that time ar:
arrives the purchaser expects to get what
he buys for nothing. 1t is idle to attempt
to say that any person can come here and
buy all improved claim to suit him. He
may find plenty such, but there is plenty
of good land uncccupied, if lie wants TO
stay here after seeing the country. We
take it for granted that person coming
here desiring 10 establish farm or cattle
ranch will be most likely to buy land from
the Government, and we shall conclude
this general reply TO inquirers by referring
to the mode of securing a title or patent for
lands from the United States.
1t will be remembered that Washington
Territory was embraced in Oregon at the
time OF the passage by Congress Sept. 81,
lS50) of the Donation Law, which made
grants of lands to actual settlers, after four
years residence and cultivation. Amend.
atory acts, particularly applicableto Wash
ington, continued till Dec. 1st, 1866, after
which donation claims could no longer be
taken. In these amendments the Pre-
emption Law of Sep. 4, 184l, was extend
e! to, and operated upon ansurreycd lands
but the donation system, and pre.emption
of unswseyed lands. no longer apply to
this Territory. While unsurveyed lands
may be occupied, the settler only acquires a
preferred privilege to secure title from the
United States, after survey of the lands
and their being offered for sale.
The only methods by which the settler
can now acquire patent for lands from
the United States, are under the Home
stead law, (act of Congress, May 20,
1862. and the amendments since adopted)
the Presumption Law, Cash Entries, loca-
ton of Military Bounty Land Warrants
and Scrip issued for lands granted by Con-
gress in aid of Agricultural Colleges, etc.
No title however, can be secured from the
United States until the lands are Surveyed.
The Homestead and Presumption laws
limit the settler to l60 acres Of land. BY
the others he may secure an unlimited
quantity. Good claims are frequently
abandoned, aud there is no earthly diff
Guilty about an occupant assigning his
right whatever it is, to a purchaser.
T.-As to Prices of Labor.
This depends upon the nature of the oc-
cupation, aud is more or less operated up
on by temporary causes. A farming hand
by the year, will receive from twenty to
forty dollars per month and board. while
a laborer, through harvest, will get two
and three dollars per day. Mil operatives
and loggers, from forty to eighty dollars per
mouth and board; carpenters and mechan-
les. from three to five dollars per day; do
mes,ic help, twenty to thirty-five dollars
per month. People and capital are needed
to develop the resources Of this Territory.
Farmers, mechanics. lum5ermcn, fishermen,
as we'll as capitalists, all will find wide
field, and plenty of chance for enterprise
and industry. There is plenty Of room for
talent, energy and capital The chances
have not all been taken, indeed the couu-
try is yet in its infancy.
VI-As In Cost of Lie;ng.
This must be inferred from the prices of
labor and the prices current of staple arti-
cles, showing not only that the market af-
fords the means to live well, but the price
at which good living may be gra'itied:
Apples, dried, tP Observation-Disclosures. 123
Peaches, dried. a. ib................... Il
Coffee, green, a. tb.................. 2}C030
Drcnared Java............... 45(050
Chartres. 371dj0
Rio................... 30@33s