Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-12-08
THE PUBLIC LANDS.

During the last fiscal year, SO9,54, 800 acres of
public land were disposed of OF this quantity
SOS, ,005 acres We're taken under the home
stead and 2l5 $50, 5Sl acres Were sold Tor cash
The remainder was located with Military
Warrant College or Indian Scrip, or applied in
satisfaction OF grants TO railroads other pub
lie uses. The entries under the homestead law
during the last fiscal year covers 96I,54j acres
mvre than those during the preceding year. The
surveys have been vigorously prosecuted to the
full extent OF the means applicable TO the pur-
poses The quantity OF land in the market will
amply supply the present demand. The claim OF
the settler under the homestead the pre-
emptlon laws Is not, however, limited to land sub
jecU to sale at private entry. UnapproprIated
sections of the public land may to limited
amount be acquired under our laws If the party
entitled to enter them will comply with the re-
qulrements they prescribe in regard to residence
and cultivation. The actual settlers preference
to the right of purchase is even broader and ex-
tends to lands which were unsurveyed at the
time of his settlement. His right was for
merly confined within much narrower limits, and
at one period of our history conferred only by
special statutes. They were enacted from time to
time to legalize what was then regarded as an I'M
authorized intrusion on the national domain.
The opinion that the public lands should be re-
garded chiefly source OF revenue Is 10 longer
main aimed. The rapid settlement and success
1ui cultivation of them is now justly considered
OF more importance TO our well being than is the
fund which the sale of them would produce. The
remarkable growth and prosperity of our new
states and territories attest the wisdom of the
legislation which invites the tliier OF the soil to
secure permanent home terms within the
reach OF all. The pioneer who ineurs the dan
gers and privatlons OF frontier life and thus
aids IN laying the foundation OF new common
wealths renders signal service to his country
and is entitled to its special favor aud protection.
The laws secure that object and largely promote
the general welfare. They should therefore be
cherished as permanent feature OF our land
system. Good faith requires us to give full effect
to the existing grants. The time honored and |
benefcient policy of setting apart certain |
sections OF public land for educational purposes
In the new States should be continued. When am |
pie provision shall have been made for these OBJ
jects / submit as question worthy of serious
consideration whether the residue of our national
domain should not be wholly disposed of under
the provision OF the homestead and pre-emption
laws. In addition to the swamp and overfowed
lands granted to the States IN which they sit
uated, the lands taken under the Agricultural
College acts, and for internal improvement pur-
poses under the act of September, 1S4l, and the
acts supplemental thereto, there had been con-
veyed up to the close of the last fiscal year, by
tents or other equivalent evidence OF title TO
States and Corporations 2,7S3,625 ,763 acres
for railways, canals and wagon roads. 1t is esti-
mated that an additional quantity OF ia, 1858
acres is still due under grants for like uses. The
policy OF thus aiding the States in build
ing works OF internal improvement was
more than forty years since in the
grants to Indiana and Illinois to aid those States
in opening canal to connect the waters OF the
Wabash with those OF Lake Erie, and the waters
Of Illinois with those Of Lake Michigan. 1t was
follow with some notifications In the grant to
Illinois of alternate sections of public land within
certain limits of the Illinois Central Railway.
Fourteen States and sundry corporal ions have re-
ceived similar subsidies in connection with the
railways completed or in p Icess OF construction.
As the reserved sections ale rated at the double
minumum the sale of them at the enhanced price
has in many instances indemuifed the Treasury
for the granted land. The construction OF some
IF these thoroughfares has undoubtedly given
vigorous inn etus to the Developments of our re-
sources and the settlement of the more distant
portions Of the country. It may, however, be