The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-12-09

otto donations for the ommon good, ces-
sions were made by several Of the States to
the United States, by which the western
boundary of the Nation wal carried from
the eastern line OF Ohio to the Mississippi,
including an era Of 1884, z 1877 acres.
Thus on the LIST day Of March, 1881, the
public domain originated.
On the 3Oth day of April, 1903, by the
purchase of Louisiana from France the
boundaries were carried to the Pacific
Ocean and the mouth of the Mississippi.
By subsequent purchases, the last of which
was Alaska, the whole of the lands acquired
reached an area of about 1,S14.S29. 93S
acres; 668 ,526, 6S3.53 acres of this has
already been sold and conveyed. About
176, 600, 900 acres more will be required to
satisfy land grants to railroads and pri-
vate land claims.
The Alaska purchase, which in the esti-
mate represents 800. 529, 800 acres, is
largely unexplored, and it's actual area and
capacities are comparatively unknown.
II these be subtracted from the whole area
the residue of land subject to future dis
posal would be about 600, 772, 654.4l
acres.
Excluding Alaska, about three-ffths OF
the public domain has passed out OF the
ownership of the Government. The re-
naming two-ffths embrace a very large
proporticn of desert and mountain lands,
untitled for habitation.
Up to June 80, 1885, 969,469,347.5O
acres of land have been SURVEYED, leaving
845, $50. 800. 50 acres yet unsurveyed.
During the past fiscal year 20, 995, 1855
acres of public lands were entered and Sc
1nzA-l -.,1l:r-o ~wx>oo uovo0r,o of Xxx k14 3.
598.32. including 1888 1882 on account
of Indian lands. The Secretary recon-
mends an increase OF the minimum price
for lands disposed of at private cash en-
tries, and he also suggests the repeal OF the
desert land laws and the timber culture
law.
TRIBUNE CUTTING.
Regarding the promiscuous cutting OF
timber on the public domain the Secretary
SAYS: Il would earnestly commend to
Congress- such notifications Of the law as
will providefort the sale of timber on the min
eral lands. for the necessary agricultural:
| mining. domestic and industrial purposes
| o. the several Territories in the act men
| +;onaa, With pro-;eie.s for tho aafnitinn
| of the boundaries OF land of which such
timber is sold, and the re-enactment OF
| penalties for trespass on public lands, as
| to all timber cut, except in accordance
| with the law"
Many cases of complaint regarding fees
| having come to the notice OF the depart
! ment, the Secretary says: ''The public
| good demands that this ~antagonism be-
tween the %pecuniary interest OF the officer
and his duty should be avoided. 70 rem
| edy it l would respectfully suggest, for the
| consideration OF Congress, the passing OF
an act providing an adequate salary as
full compensation to the officers OF the
local land offices, payable out OF the treas
ury OF the United States, and the fees to be
| collected on contests as now provided by
| law by the several Offices be charged, all OF
| which fees should be fully accounted for by
! the officers and paid into the treasury"
Congress is asked to appoint two gen
! eral land agents at a salary OF $4,000 per
| annum to look after the illegal fencing OF
/ public lands.
TIMBER PRESERVATION.
Under this head the following very con-
else and appropriate legislation is asked
THAT as to the lands already sur-
veyed. OF which the plats have been filed,
appraisers be appointed to examine the
lands. All legal subdivisions, by sections
and quarter sections, more than the half OF
which are overgrown with timber. Trees
shall be selected and appraised at their full
actual value and return made OF the lands
so selected and appraised to the officers OF
the land office where the lands SO selected
shall be marked on the plats climber land,
with the appraised value thereof.
2.-That in all future surveys, the sur
vevor shall, as a. part of his official duty,
so select, appraise and return each survey
and mark upon the plat all timber land and
the appraised value
3.-That every fourth section described
by number, one-half of which, or more
than one-half OF which, shall be marked
timber land" and appraised, shall las to
the quarter sections thereof SO ~numbered)
be permanently reserved from sale.
4.-The lands marked upon the plats as
timber lands and appraised, except the re-
served sections, shall only be sold at public
auction to the highest bidderfor cash (butin
! no event below the appraised value). The
| sales to be after full advertisement, and to
| be made on the order OF the Secretary Of
| the Interior as he may direct. Any lands
! not sold at any such auction shall be held
| subject to future sale in the same manner
| and subject to the same order and direc'
ton.
5.-Until the appraisal shall be made and
| the plats marked all entries made shall be
| required to establish that the land entered
| is not timber land as described herein.
THE UNION PACIFIC.
The report of the Railroad COMMISSIONS
| is given in great detail, but only the follow
| ing extracts can be given:
The Union Pacific Railway Company is
| composed of the Union Pacific, the Kansas
| Pacific Railway Company and the Denver
Pacific Railway and Telegraph Company
One thousand and thirty-four and foul
| thousand eight hundred and forty ten.
| 800 a14L, r,:1oc 0f tho 1rinn Pacitic and
800. 7425 miles of the Kansas Pacific were
subsidized. ,
The mileage proper is 1919 miles. A
careful examination shows the whole
property to be in good condition, and the
| commercial industries are energetically i'm
proving.
The rolling stock comprises 345 engines
2S9 passenger cars, $500 freight cars.
The company's mines yielded a profit O
| Sl98, 592.i3. Net proceeds OF land sales
Ito December 81, 1884, $25, 668, S06.6 5
| Estimated value of lands unsold, $l3,6O2,
696.25.
All the engines and cars required are
manufactured at the company's shops II
! Omaha.
The company expended during the veal
ON new construction and equipments:
New .
| NEW QulpLu tO-
The ompan now owes the Government
SIS, GA, O56.62, but non OF this is dut
until the maturity OF the principal II
1S95-99.
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC.
There was no regular inspection OF thu
road, but it is reported in good condition
and well constructed throughout. 1t hat
been completed to Ashland.
Miles.
Length of road (including Cas-
cade branch) 2,o29.5e
Leased. 1fo'o1
4I|'oi
The rolling stock comprises 391 engines
| 274 passenger cars, and 9 PIT freight cars,
The road, when finished, would entitle
the company to 43, zoo, 900 acres OF land
Land sold Ito June 30, 1855, 5,46s,
1897 acres.
The companies assets are $167 1875,
755.42; liabilities, S167, O44, 1856; being
a surplus of $91 1886.
None of the other roads mentioned are
| of any local interest, and their statements
would take up more space than is avail
able.
All matters of Importance in the report
| regarding pensions and patents has al
ready been published.