New-York tribune., 1879-11-12
LAND SALES OF TIE YEAR.


HEAVY SALES SURVEYS. TIMBER DEPREDA-
TONS FIC.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.-The annual report
OF the General Land Office has been prepared by the
Acting Commissioner. Mr.. ]. NJ. Armstrong. IL shows
that during the last fiscal year. 9.3333o3 acres or
the public lands disposed OF. AMI 9,4s4.996
acres were surveyed, in addition TO the
1884 SOL 236 previously surveyed. The total num-
Der of acres Of the public domain unsurveyed IS
about OsI 900 900 acres. The disposas mainly
A. folowsI
Home~tesd en- tries $500, III
Cash entries dnciudin; i6589s acres entered
DeT Grant. .ioG o raHoa: iT s4sssa aGrsc sce.
swamp lands patented to states. 1888 acres
other grams TO states, ls6.S92 acres.
The amount OF land surveyed during the last fiscal
year exceeds by Ala 769 the total area surveyed
IN the preceding twelve months and while the report
shows falling of of about 773000 acres IN cash sales
State elections, scrip locations and lands patented for
railroad grants the In the taken up by
settlers homestead and timber culture laws
has been sufficient. not only 10 counterbaiance
this falling OFF. but TO make the aggregate
disposals for the year greater by 6i7.204
acres than during the previous year. The increase
IN homestead entries s41776 and in timber
culture entries s96.l39 acres Owing 10 the existing
laws for disposal Of the public lands for homeseads
and timber culture shown that during he last dscal
year. with larger disposal Of land there received
from all sources 81 ss3.1l3 SO, which S1394ls 80
/
ending June 30. 1878.
Referring to the large number Of undevered patents
remaining file In this oHcC-neariv 100000.
| and covering not less than 150.000.OO0 OF
acres-no small proportion being lands purchased
OF the Government more than half
century ago. lying In the States of Ohio Indiana and
ulinos-the Commissioner again urges the necessity
for an appropriation sufficient 10 pay for completing
lists OF these patents with view Of bringing to the
know edge OF persons In interest the fact that such
uaents remain in this office. and how they be OBJ
tanned by them
The Acting Commissioner rcncws the recommenda-
ton of the last report for legislative action the
subject Of apsed railroad grants looking either the
forcement OF the grants tie extepson
Of time for the completion OF tho roads, The reason
for the recommendation is stated TO be that great
bodies OF land which be patented to the States
or corporations under the grants Withheld from sale
or entry. aud there is by which settlers
can acquire title them. The recommendation II pre-
vious annual reports for consolidation OF the Home
stead and Preenption laws Is renewed.
The report states that an examination made by com
peent geoogst deputed for the purpose, shows the ex
isenee of large deposits of both coal ard iron In the
public lands Alabama. Most OF the coal fields are lar
removed rom the means OF transportation The eX-
pense attending their proper development Is large ana
the available capital III tnat region limited. III II r. com
mcnded that the advsability OF dlsp3sng OF he aus
on the same terms as agrlcuitural lanus lon11wing
the course adopted WIN rcRatu 10 nhinei, q; ~
| lands IN Missouri and Kansas. be iavoraniy
|
seutee shawnee lands the New-IOrk Indian lands.
and the Miami lands IN Kansas, LEGISLATION Is recon-.
mended 10 provide for dispOsng OF such portions "f
them vacant for the reason that frequent APP
pctOn Il made ior permission TO enter these tracts by
the persons occupying them. which IN the absence OF
| proper legislation. cannot be given
Fifteen special agents have been detailed to invtstl-
gate trespass tmber lands, aud collect tes
| mouy. DrpredatiOns have been and still are being
committed tnrnu ghout almost timber resicn of
the United States. In Arkansas. alone, for istance,
the annual loss To the Government by tue destruction OF
uablc timber Is estimated nj not less than SoOOOOo
Great difficulty Is experienced In procuring sufficient
evdei against the persons In Interest many Oi the
being milowue and shippers residing In states Other
than those wnere the depredatiOns are committed
aud where testimony must be sought from sncii un-
wiling witnesses as their employees. ln Michigan,
| and elsewhere along the northern national boundary
extensive piedatOus are reported 10 nave Oteu
committed upon public timber lands by Canadians.
These are now under investigation. In Louisiana
| the Ell the Department have effected great
| dminution In the timber depredatlons majority Of
the prominentmn IN Calcasien Parish have openly
| pledged themselves 10 discountenance the ubldw1ul
OF timber Government landsand the last SUIT
pending In the United States Court has been settled by
| "A recovery OF $4,000. .,
Mr.. Armstrong comments at some length on the insni
nccncy OF the appropriations at the command oi the
| Oficc.