The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-11-17

cOftE lew Ntrhr hko gave ~ ~ h'If0in
Of bin pending before congress contain
ing important and beneticcnt provisions,
and predicted that it would pass both
houses Well. theprediction proved cor
rect, but the bill failed to become law
because ID was not reached by the pres
ident for signature before the adjourn
ment OF congress. haveno doubt that
the matter win receive early attention
when congress reconvenes In December;
that the bill will be re-enacted. and re-
ceive the signature Of the president. In
order. that the people may be familiar
with all ofits provisions, printit entire
in this letter To the exclusion OF other
matter, deeming il of the utmost impor-
lance:
An act TO allow persons who have abandoned
or rellnquIshed their homestead entries TO make
another entry. and for other purposes.
BE II enacted etc, That any person who has
which he has made filing upon under the pre-
emption law, or entry Of under the homestead
law may make homestead entry Of not exceed
vi
such entry such previous filing or entry 10 the
the contrary Notwithstanding but this right
shall not apply TO persons who perfect title to
lands under the presumption or homestead laws
already initiated.
SEC. 2. That whenever IL shall be made 10 APP
pearto the register and receiver Of any public
land Office. under such regulations az the secre
tary OF the interior may Prescribe. that any
settler upon the public domain under existing
law. Is unable by reason OF drouth, whole or
partial destruction OF crops, sickness. or other
unavoidable casualty, 10 secure support for
himself herself or those dependent upon him or
her upon the lands settled upon then such regis
ter aud receiver may grant 60 such settler a
leave Of absence from the claim upon which he
or she has filed for "A period not exceeding one
year at ANY one time and such settler sogranted
leave OF absence shall forfeit no rights by reason
Of such absence; Provided. That the time of
such actual absence shall not be deducted from
the actual residence required by law.
SIC. -. That the price OF all sections aud
parts OF sections OF the public lands. within the
limits OF the portions Of the several grants OF
lands 20 aid IN the construction OF railroads.
which have been heretofore nndwhich may here.
after beforfeited. which were by the act making
such grants or have since been Increased TO the
double minimum price and, also, of all lands
within the limits % any such railroad grant. and
not embraced In the grant lying adjacent 60 and
coterminous with the portions OF the line OF any
such railroad which shall not be completed AZ
the date OF this act Il hereby fixed at one dollar
and twenty-five cents per acre.
SEC. 4. That from and after the passage OF
this act, any homestead settler who has entered
less than one quarter section OF land may enter
other aud additional land lying contgous To the
original entry. which shall not, with the land
first entered and occupied exceed In the asssre-
gate. one hundred and sixty acres without proof
OF residence upon and cultivation Of the nd
ditional entry; aud II final proof Of settlement
and cultivation has been made for the original
entry, when the additional entry Ia made, then
the patent shall issue without iurther proof
SEC o. That every person entitled. under the
provisions OF the homestead laws. 90 enter n
homestead, who has heretofore complied with.
or who shall hereafter comply with the con
dtions Of said laws. and who shall have made
his final proof hereunder, for quantity OF
land less than one hundred and sixty acres, and
received the receivers final receipt therefor
shall bee entitled under said laws TO enter, by
legal subdivisions OF the public lands OF the
United states subject TO homestead entry SO
much additional land as added TO the quantity
previously SO entered by him shall not exceed
one hundred and sixty acres: Provided, That
In no case shall patent issue until the person
making such additional homestead entry shall
have actually and In conformity with the home
stead laws resided upon and cultivated The land
entered therein and otherwise complied with
such laws.
Should my opinion rs herein expressed
be verified, many homeless people will
have occasion To rejoice in the oppor-
tunity TO secure homes.