The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-04-25

| Convention, ID 1868, that nominated
General Grant, General Allen was both
delegate at large in the soldiers conven-
tion aud a delegate in the nominating
convention. He took leading part in
the successful canvass that followed. He
was elected in 1869 to represent his dis
trict (Twenty eighth in the State Senate,
and in that body gained considerable
prominence and influence.
AN ACT
To enable honOrably dicharged soldiers
and sailors, their widows and orphan
children, to acquire hOmesteadS on the
public lands OF the United States.
Be 1t enacted 6y the Senate and House
Of Representatives. of the United States
of America IN Congress assembled, That
every private soldier and officer who has
served in the army of the United States
during the recent rebellion for ninety
days, or more, and who was honorably
discharged, and has remained loyal to the
government, including the troops muster.
de into the service of the United States by
virtue of the third section of an act
entitled can act making appropriations
for completing the defenses of Washing
ton, and for other purposes" approved
February thirteenth, eighteen hundred
and sixty two, and every seaman, marine,
and officer who has served in the navy of
the United States, or in the marine corps,
during the rebellion, for ninety days, and
who was honrrably discharged, and has
remained loyal to the government, shall,
on compliance with the provisions of an act
entitled Gar act to secure homesteads to
actual settlers on the public doman," and
the acts amendatory thereof, as hereinafter
modified, be entitled to enter upon and
receive patents for quantity of public
lands (not mineral) not exceeding one
hundred and sixty acres, or one quarter
section, to be taken in compact form ac-
cording to legal subdivisions, including
the alternate reserved sections of public
lands along the line of any railroad OF
other public work, not otherwise reserved
or appropriated, and other lands subject
to entry under the homestead laws of the
United States Provided, That said
homestead settler shall be allowed six
months after locating his homestead with
in which to commence his settlement and
improvement: And provicled also, That
the time which the homested settler shall
have served in the army, navy, or marine
corps aforesaid, shall be deducted from
the time heretofore required to perfect
title, or if discharged on account Of
wounds received, or disability incurred
in the line of duty, then the term of
enlistment shall be deducted from the
time heretofore required to perfect title,
without reference to the length of time
he may have served: Prooicled, howeuer,
That 10 patent shall issue to any home
stead settler who has not resided upon,
improved, aud cultivated his said home
stead for a period of at least one year
after he shall commence his improvements
as aforesaid.
Sec. 2. That any person entitled under
the provisions Of the foregoing section to
euter homestead, who may have hereto
fore entered under the homestead laws a
quantity of land less than one hundred
and sixty acres, shall be permitted to
under the provisions of this act so much
land as, when added to the quantity
previously entered, shall aot exceed one
hundred and sixty acres.
SEC 3. That in case of the death of
any person who would be entitled to a
homestead under the provisions of the
first section Of this act, his widow, if
unmarried, or in case of her death or
marriage, then his minor orphan children,
by guardian duly appointed aud official
ly accredited at the Department of the
Interior, shall be entitled to all the beDe-
fits enumerated in this act, subject to all
the provisions to settlement and improve
ments therein contained PrOUided, That
if such person died during his term of
enlistment, the whole term of his enlist
ment shall be deducted from the time
heretofore required to perfect the title.
SEC A. That where party at the date
of his entry of tract of land under the
homestead laws, or subsequently thereto,
was actually enlisted and employed in the
army or navy Of the United States, his
services therein shall, in the administra-
ton of said homestead laws, be construed
to be equivalent, to all intents aud pur-
poses, to a residence for the same length
of time upon the tract so entered Pro
ui2ed, That if his entry has been cancelled
by reason Of his absence from said tract
while in the military or naval service of
the United States, aud such tract has not
been disposed of his entry shall be re-
stored and confirmed 4nd proUided
further. That if such tract has been dis.
posed of, said party may enter another
tract subject to entry under said laws !;
aud his right to patent therefor shall be
determined by the proofs touching his
residence and cultivation of the first tract,
and his absence therefrOm in such service
SEC o. That any soldier, sailor, marine,
officer. or other person coming within the
provisions of this act, may, as well by an
agent as IN person, enter upon said home
stead : Procided, That said claimant IN
n 4 : Il. ha.i