, 1874-02-05
THE PUBLIC LANDS.

THREE TO FOUR HUNDRED MIILloN ACRES OF
AnADLE LAND LEFT PROPOSED NEW PRE-
EApT1oN Law.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The Committee on
Public Lands Of The House OF Representatives,
in recent report. say that Notwithstanding by
tho late report Of tho OommisBloner Of Public
Lands it appears that ne have 200,000,0C0
acres yet unBu1veyed, it is the opinion Of tho
Commissioner, a. shown In his letter Of Feb Is,
1873. to Senator Stewart, and by AIr. Julian, d
Into Chairman Of tho Committee, with gro ut
knowledge hereof, that the whols arabic
@ nd raMsa1.s asanss ass sss dsaqa1ns 1sna sssa
deserts, swamp t; iands; and md shoal 1sadEs, sEI
e aeres a1n2s There e'ses Tsse
taken up by homestead entries alone last year
nearly 4000, 600 aores, and al our population in
oroaaes, this yoarly amount will also inoroaao,
and at 30 rapid rate that in less than century
70 short period in the history Of natlon) tho
whole arab1o land OF tho Government will bo
absorbed by settlers. As this absorption pro-
valuable, and moro the object Of tho desire Of
speculatora. Although it has been tho benetl-
cent intention OF theae lnwa to afford cheap
homes to the people, yet both laws, and especially
that which allows pre-emptions, have been per-
made the instrnmonss whcreby speou1ators have
obtained large areas Of land, and hold them unim-
proved, to tho great disadvantage Of the States
III which they lio, waiting until the nelghbor i'm
their value and afford . profitable ealo. III q
limited degree, tho same abuses have grown up
nudor the present Homestead law. 10 correct
these abuses, to inHure to every one who wants 1t
ernment, and to bring under improvement tho
public lands, aud to add to the wealth Of the
States and tho nation, is the object OF the bill
reported BY tho Committee. It repoals the Pre-
emption laws. except that it shows inohoata
titles undor them to be completed according. to
their provisions. It also substitutes for tho
present Homestead law an entirely new
Que, retaining MI the best features Of the
existing law, and adding others that the expert
ence Of the working Of that law aoemod to re.
Quire It doeB not intorfere with the Soldiers and
6ailora' Homestead Law. Its new features aro aa
follows It requires actual settlement and ou1-
tiyation for i've years. after which, on due proof
thereof, tho settler can obtnin title to 160 acrea
Of land, the whole cost Of which will be $40 on
entry Of tho land, and 98 on final proof. Il,
however, tho Hottler wiHhos to obtain d title
earlier than five years, he can do 80 ut the end
Of eighteen months On payment Of the minimum
iands" with mineral, coal, and saline lands here
tofore exempted, in order to save vaat tractB OF
valuable pine timber to tho Government that are
now destroyed undor tho present laws, without
inBuring settlement or cultivation. It extends
to minor heirs, at the death OF their parents, the
right to continue tho parents' settlement with
the consent Of the guardian, and allows widows,
after settlemont and before entry, to make entry
in their own name. It providea for the deter
mfnation Of controyeralos, where two or more
tion or amalior legal subdivision; aleo that
vacancies In the Office Of Register or Receiver
shall not prejudice claimants as to any matter
neceBsary, to tho establishment Of their claim.
by caHh, Of small tracts OF forty acres for sites
for mechanical, commercial or manufacturing