The Russellville Democrat., 1879-04-24

care bestowed in making se-


 lecsions.
 The States lands have been con ditionally donated to railroad com panies in the following named coun- ties, to-wit:
 The lands in Benton, Crawford, Madison, Washington and that part of Franklin north of Arkansas River to the first railroad completed to Fayetteville, in Washington County. The lands in Philips, Lee and Poin- sett, to the Helena and Iron Noun tain Railroad. The lands in Ashley, Jefferson, Lonoke, Lincoln, Drew, Bradley, Miller, Lafayette and that part of Dorsey lying south of the township line between townships ten and eleven south of the base line, to the Searcy, Pine Bluff and Monroe and the Little Rock, Mississippi River and Texas Railroads, the above being divided between said roads; and the lands in Clark, Ouachita, Calhoun and that part of Dallas west of the range line between ranges fifteen and sixteen west of the fifth principal meridian. to the Ouachita Valley Railroad; thereby retiring such lands from market ex cept to persons holding the same under color of title, or who may within twelve months from the 14th day of March, 1879, apply to pur- chase not more than 160 acres for actual settlement and cultivation in the counties in which the lands are set apart to the Searcy, Pine Bluff and Monroe and the Little Rock, Mississippi River and Texas Rail road; Provided, that parties taking lands in said counties must either purchase or redeem, as the law does not provide for donations in those particular counties.
 The States lands in Hampstead County have been conditionally do- hated to the Washington and Hope Railroad, and retired from market for the period of five years from March 5, 1879.
 All other counties in the State be side those above specified, have more or less Hand subject to sale or dona- tion, without restriction by reason of grants to railroads, or on any other account.
 Unconfirmed swamp land is now subject to sale to any person who will purchase and take the State s quit claim deed with the view of making the proof required by the United States Government, of the swampy character of the ground, and with the understanding that should they fail to succeed in getting the land confirmed to the State, they have no recourse on the State to have the money paid by them, re- funded. Where the proof of the swampy character of the land can be established, the Government will confirm it to the State-I am so in formed by the Commissioner of the General Land Ofiice-therefore, where parties are sure that such proof can be made, they need not hesitate about taking up those un- confirmed swamp lands.
 Where those lands are in fact un- fit for cultivation by reason of being wet, or subject to periodical over flows, and for that reason could not be safely cultivated without the em- ployment of artificial means, the title passed from the United States to the State at the date of the grant, and they are to all intents and purposes the property of the State; the Gov ernment is simply awaiting the proof of swampy character before confirm ing them to the State. The State in her present financial condition, is unable to put men in the field for the purpose of securing the proof of the swampy character of the select ed and unconfirmed swamp lands; therefore, the last legislature thought it wise to authorize the sale of those lands, in order that those who desire to procure them, may at their indl- vidual cost, furnish the required proof of swampy character, thereby relieve the State from such expense, and avail themselves of the benefits of act to this end, approved March 15, 1879.
 Under the provisions of an act ap' proved March 13, 1879, all persons who have purchased internal i'm provement. lands, for which thelr notes arc outstanding, may within twelve months from the passage of said act, surrender the certificates of purchase held by them, to the Com of State Lands and have the contracts rescinded and their notes returned to them. Where par ties are unable, or do not desire to pay off such notes, they are request ed to surrender their certificates of purchase immediately. By SO doing
 ey will save the State the expense
 ''ringing suits against the. notes
 the hands of the Treasurer.
 who choose to make such sur
 " transfer the certificates
 escribed in them to the
 '<ansas, by endorsement
 the certificate and ac-