Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-12-10
PUBLIC DOMAIN.
Repeal of the Presumption and Timber
Culture LAWS Recommended.

Repeal of the Presumption and Timber
Culture LAWS Recommended.
The recommendations of the secretary OF
the interior and the commissioner of the gen
eral land office, looking to the better protec-
ton of public lands and of the public surveys,
preservation of national forests, the adjudic-
alton Of grants to states and corporations, and
of private land claims and the increased efici-
ency of the public land service, are
commended to the attention Of congress. To
secure the widest distribution Of public lands
in limited quantities among settlers Of resi-
dence and cultivation and thus make the great
est number of individual homes was the pri-
mary object of the public land legislation in
the early days of the republic. This system
mirable scheme, by which the humblest
citizen could identify the tract
upon which he wished to establish
his home. The price Of land was placed with
in the reach Of all enterprisiDg, industrious
and honest pioneer citizens Of the country.
Il was soon, however, found that the object OF
the law was perverted under the system Of
| cash sales from distribution Of land among
the people to an accumulation OF LAND capt.
tai by wealthy aud speculative persons
To check this tendency preference
right of purchase was given to settlers on the
land-a plan which eliminated in the general
pre- -emption act Of 1871. The foundation of
this system was actual residence and cutiva-
ton. Twenty years later the homestead laws
were devised, to more surely place actual
homes in the possession of actual
cultivators Of the soil. The land was
given without price, the sole conditions
being residence, improvement and eultiva-
ton. Other laws have followed, each de
signed to encourage the requirement and use
of land in limited industrial quantities. But
in later years these laws, through vicious ad-
ministrative methods and under charged con-
ditions of communication and transportations,
have been 50
EvADED AND VIOLATED
that their beuefcent purpose is threatened en-
tire defeat. The methods of such evasions
and violations are set forth in detail in the
reports of the secretary Of the interior
and commissioner of the general land
office. The rapid appropriation OF our public
lands without bona fde settlements or civiliza
ton; and not only without intention OF resi-
dence, but for the purpose of their aggrega-
ton in large holdings, in many cases in the
hands Of foreigners, invite the serious
and immediate attention Of congress.
The earnings OF the land department have
been devoted during the present administra-
ton to remedy defects and correct abuses in
the public land service. The result of
these efforts are SO largely
in the nature OF reforms in the process and
methods Of our land system as to prevent ade-
Quate estimates. But it appears BY COM
piiation from the reports of the commission
Of the general land Office that the immediate
effect in Leading cases which have come
| to final termination has been the restor-
alton Of the mass of public lands
| of two million seven hundred and fifty thous-
and acres; that two million three hundred and
| seventy thousand acres are embraced IN in
vestig atoms now pending before the depart
| nent or the courts, and that
action Of congress has been asked to
effect the restoration Of 2, 7so, eco acres addi'
tional; besides which, 4,00a. 00D acres have
been withheld from reservation and the rights
| OF entering thereon maintined. recommend
the repeal Of the
| PRE- EnPTIeS AxD TIMER CULTURE ACTS,
and that the homestead laws be SO amended