The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-12-08

OF int law MA pace poiysamS n .Y.r-
dition of gradual extinction. The commits
sion notices as an encouraging, sign that
many of the "liberal" meetings have been
largely attended by Mormons, and that
these meetings have been characterized by
exceptional good order and good humor. In
conclusion the report says, after counseiing
moderation: IF, however, the next SEES
sion Of the legislative assembly elected UNI
der the act Of congress shall fall to respond
to the will OF the nation, congress should
have no hesitation In using extraordinary
measures to compel the people OF this terri
tory to obey the laws of the land"
STATISTICAL.
Mr.. NlmmO, chief Of the bureau of stats
tics, giving clergyman some facts Tor
Thanksgiving sermon, writes: the corn crop
this year is estimated at 1850, 0O0, 900 BUSH
els, against / ,l04, 9l8, 600 bushels In 1851.
The latest estimate Of the wheat crop OF
the season of 1882 is 500, 000, 900 bushels, as
against $50, 2S0, 600 in 1881. The value OF do
nestle exports for the fiscal year ended
1882 o., 947 during 1881; falling off OF
$50, 6S6,2l5. This is due almost entirely to
the failure OF the crops OF the country dur
ing the season Of 1881. O result attributable
meteorological influences which prevailed
so extensively throughout the country dur
ing that season. The imports during the
fiscal year were $724, 6S9, 574-larger than
the country. The number of transported
on the fifteen leading railroads OF the Unit
ed States the last fiscal year was &, G63, l6O
tons, as against 81, 1876, S44 tons during the
preceding fiscal year. The railroad mileage
of the United States Jan. !, 1882 was loa,sl3
miles.
RAILROAD LAND CHANTS.
The Secretary of the Interior In his report
says: Congress has from time to time COM
mencing in 1850, made grants to the several
states or to corporations TO aid In the con-
struction of railroads. In some instances
partially completed; but in some cases no
attempt has been made to build the roads
and thus secure a title to the land. The
lands thus granted have been withheld from
the operation Of the settlement laws. The
supreme court of the United States has de-
riman, % Wallace, "A, that failure to COM
plete the road within the time fixed in the
grant did not forfeit the grant. Lands thus
withheld from the operation of the settle
shall declareEuch landsforfeited. lift Is the
intention of congress to allow the railroad
companies to complete their roads after the
expiration of the term fixed in the grant,
and thus claim the benefit of the grant, 1t
should be so declared at an early day. Large
tracts Of land are not available for settle
ment because the settler can not determine
whether the title Is in the government or in
the railroad company. If he purchase from
the railroad company and 1t fails to COM
plete its road and secure the title, he takes
nothing by such purchase, and he can not
secure the land under the settlement laws,
for the department is not authorized to treat
such lands as public land Besides this,
the even sections within the limits of the
grants are subject to cash entry at not less
than $3.50 per acre. Thus the settler Is
sometimes compelled to pay double price
for the privilege of owning lands near
railroad which Is never constructed.