The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-22
Settling on Public Lands,


In general answer to many special
inquiries, the New York Tribune states
the following facts:
/. The larger portion Of the unim-
proved, uncultivated soil OF the United
States, including nearly all that of the
States OF Nebraska, Nevada, and Oregon,
as also of all the Territories, is still the
property OF the Federal Union, and is
known as the Public Domain.
2. While much of this Domain is
sterile, rocky, mountainous, and thus
unfit for cultivation, large proportion
is facile and excellent, including thou
sands OF square miles which, being tree
less and very thinly grassed, have been
accounted desert, but which prove
quite productive when reclaimed by ir-
rigation.
8. As general rule, any part OF this
Domain not already granted to or oc-
cupied by private owners is open to set
tlement by any one. He who "squats"
on tract to which he has no title, is re-
garded as holding it by Presumption.
He is Of course liable to be, but seldom
is, dispossessed by bona .fde purchaser.
A. The Government proffers quar-
ter section (160 acres to any one who
settles upon tract to which no adverse
title or claim exists, erects q habitation,
and lives on it Tor five years. He has to
pay for the papers and legal formalities
required, about $50 in all. This is called
making Homestead
5. Congress has from time to time
made extensive grants OF land to States
and companies in aid of the construction
OF Railroads through the public domain.
These grants are usually of alternate sec
lions Tor square niles for certain dis
tance on either side OF the projected
Railroad.
6. The alternate sections reserved by
the Government are doubled in price
and he who settles on these and proceeds
to acquire a home under Homestead
act, is allowed but eighty instead OF the
usual one hundred and sixty acres.
7. The general price OF the Public
Lands is ST. per acre, or 5000 for 160
acres. The alternate sections reserved
by the Government along the lines of
Railroads are held at double price, or
$3.50 per acre. =
s. The Railroad Companies generally
charge more for their alternate sections ;
but, as the Governments land is held at
50. per acre, and eighty acres OF it may
be eacquired by settlement for less than
500, the Governments sections are like
ly to have the preference.
9. 1t is decidedly advisable that those
who have means should buy their lands,
either of the Government or the Rail
roads. 1t precluiles all controversy as to
the due performance OF the Homestead
requirements, gives an instant and per-
feet title, and enables the owner to sell
and convey, go and come, lease or rent,
without peril OF creating an adverse title
or invalidating his own.
10. College Scrip is extensively used in
purchasing by those who wish to econo-
mize. Congress, ten years or more ago,
granted to each State quantum OF
Public Lands proportional to its repre-
sentation in that body, in aid OF Edu.
cation in Agriculture and the Useful
Arts. College Scrip represents these
grants, and is generally procurable by
settlers ut 81 per acre. In large guam
titles, it is sold somewhat lower. A
warrant or scrip calling for quarter
section will buy 16O acres but it will
not buy so acres OF the reserved alternate
sections along line OF railroad. OF
these reserved sections, 160 acres can be
bought in one tract with $500 in cash
and one 160-acre warrant or scriI. With
the exception, pre.emptors CO.. always
use College Scrip in paymel. for Gov
ernment mot Railroad Gompanys J
lands but spectators who buy or hold
scrip in large quantities are not allowed
to locate more than three sections or
square miles OF that scrip in any one
township. This is to prevent the mono.
polizing OF large tracts by means OF
scrip. With cash, any quantity may be
purchased of Government at the forego-
ing rates.
Il. No one can legally locate, whether
with cash or scrip, quarter-secton ac-
tually in the possession, by legal oc-
cupancy and residence, OF a settler,
though he has not paid and does not
mean to pay for it. But this principle
does not apply to the alternate sections
granted to Railroads, which do not re-
cognize Pre- emptions,
u. A quarter-section Of Public Lands
is not necessarily a regular quarter OF
some designated section, but may be
made up OF two.eighties or four.forties
forming one compact body, though these
were parts of different quarter-sections
technically considered. j.,
Such is the substance OF the laws and
regulations governing the acquisition OF
Public Lands by individuals, rs we un-
derstand them.
New York SPoRTsarEN's New LAW
Penalties for violations are largely in
creased, ranging from so to slOO.-
Robbing birds nests is made penal
offence ofs25. Sunday huntingis placed
under ban by the following provision
"There shall be no shooting or hunt