New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-28

ally disposed OF from about 3cOoOo 20 1900 acres
In regard to the operations OF the Homestead law 'ne
Com missioner reports as follows
The demand for lands by actual settlers under tne 1
Homestead law continues very large. during Iie
year ending June &c. 1879 31,2i6 preliminary entries
made. covering area OF 9,7523i726 acres lho n ~
entries of Ais over the preceding scal year rus nN
with some slight amendments, would meet an tn I'm
respectfully my recommendation for complSoc
consolidation Of all statutes , respecting
S S io from ,n' both GoS.es OF the last Con
gress, but owing slight amendment IA to the u,ne
when il should take effect by the House or tnc as' uay
of the in which the Senate had not time 70
cur it failed 10 become law The selections oertneu
for common schools during the fiscal year endng y'
80 1879 amounted to 76s09ll acres ana Tor col
leges amounted 10 159i62i The locations OF sgeu III
M ecese sp Vy Snrn the wear cover an area
OF 653,446H. Since my last annual report ag1eultMa
college scrip representing 2lO has been issued
to the States Arkansas and Florida. This exhsust'
tho amount which Congress authorized. .-,,
The records of the Office show an aggregate oonstne
ton of 927s miles OF road distributed as follow; IN
Michigan miles; Wisconsin, 80 miles Iowa % mice
Minnesota ia miles; Missouri. 81 miles; Kansas ~
miles; Arkansas miles; California, 40 miea CooTa
do AS miles; Indian Territory, 1856 miles; total
above 1918 miles. Portions Of the roads included III tIe
foregoing report OF construction actually com
pleted prior TO the commencement OF the last nsCai
year. This report will be understood % REFER,
ring more particularly TO the Official RECORD "
construction, and TO the acceptance by the proper
authorities, the evidence .oi which has oeen receives q.
this office my last annual report. ana consequently
was included therein During the previous year lo
reports show constructed length OF li3 miles ~ road,
difference in favor the latter year OF 535 miles me
policy Of extending and 10 railroad enterprise by uaoai
legislation having been restricted by the caution OF
gTCs. during last few years, the aggregate OF uu
location OF roads "a not great as IN TO- c
years reports the definite location OF ot5
during the fiscal yoar Of which 2gO miles arc oi
the Northern Pacific Railroad, In the Territory Oh ia
ROta. -
The following act of Congress approved Feb. 80
1873 az Stat, iG5l:
A. ACr r RELATE. 20 mineral lsuia ii,
~ AMI Hosss g lSpres,nfd'st'@ tlt
o. Congress 0sWb1, That Vln lS .tlo'
hereinafter named deposits mines Of ron or coal BE- ava "a.
hereby, the operations Of act entitled An 40 20
ts Of he mining resources VI ne Oniea
1872 and sail act ha not apply 70 tie mineral anus
being within the states Of Michigan wcolsn s4s
that sad lands blIeb declared free and open 70
purchase according to the ie subdivisions Thereof Is before e
passage bona ode entries Of suh sni Nn
S,.es the passage thereof @ he s'eate siiao reference
60 the provisions Of said act
Previous 20 the date Of said Mining act OF 1872 iapds
containing deposits OF iron disposed OF for Gdsh
at private entry the agricultural lands me IAN
guage OF the Mining act however Is so comprehensive
as 10 Justify the bell that the intention OF Con
sTess include iron among the mineral deposits 10
be disposed OF under It's provisions Congress By suDse
quent legislation appears to have placed this eonstruc
!Qu upon the act.