The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-12-01
The NATIONS INTERIOR
Secretary Aoblss Annual Report to the
President.
PUBLIC LANDS AND INDIANS
Enormous Payments by the Pen
sion Department-rhe Census
Defended-FactsR Relat-
Ing TO Education.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3O.-The annual
report of the secretary Of the interior is a
voluminous document, covering 18
printed pages. The first part is devoted
TO the subject Of public lands. The va.
cant lands Of the United States, exclusive
OF those in Alaska, at present extend over
$50, PIG, ,ssl acres, Of which 2s2, ,772,i ,iSs are
already surveyed. Alaska contains 577,-
800 square miles, or $50, 600 acres OF
which not more than 1000 acres have
been entered. The aggregate reaches
acres Of surveyed and 5s,is6,sl2 acres of
unsurveyed land, making total OF 6i,-
s07 ,627 acres, a larger total than that OF
any other state or territory. New Mexico
comes second with s.. 5.360,32 The report
says the policy Of the department has
been continued, as the secretary's last
report shows IL 10 have been begun, under
the present administration, in giving a
liberal Interpretation to the land laws in
favor OF the settlers and by advancing. as
far as can reasonably be done, the early
decisions upon all entries made, con-
tested or uncontested.
Ii appears from the report of the com.
missioner of the general land Office that
10000 acres OF agricultural land were
transferred 10 actual settlers during the
past year. The lands patented to states,
for education, internal improvements,
and public building have exceeded D0per
cent. over the previous year, amounting
in 1880 10 539, ,179.4 acres. The patents
issued for the year ending June 30, 1890.
numbered liz, I,2iT, as against Nal the
preceding year. In addition to these
there was an increase Of isi in mineral
and mill-site patents issued in 1880, those
for 1880 being l,i07, for 1885, 9lS. The
area Of coal lands granted In 1890 nearly
doubled that OF the previous year. In 1890
there were 22i patents, covering 33,i7S.72
acres, and in 1889, 1856 patents, covering
| l7,096.S0. The total receipts from public
lands have been s7,470. .S70.31.
On the subject OF railroad land grants
the report speaks Of the inaction Of con-
gress in relation TO 2a,l7l.7 100 acres Of
land claimed by subsidized railroads, and
says that this was from doubt whether
congress would endeavor TO forfeit the
lands Of those roads that were not built
within the time provided in their respec-
tive grants. The subject was presented
10 congross In the presidents first mes
sage, and congress has acted upon il to
the extent OF declaring a forfeiture OF all
those lands Heretofore granted that are
coterminous with any unconstructed por
ton OF The route. The act is entitled
IAN act TO forfeit certain lands heretofore
granted for the purpose OF aiding in the
construction OF railroads, and for other
purposes" and was approved September
~, $50,
While this subject was under consider
alton by congress, each branch thereof
took action in relation thereto by resolu
tons addressed to the secretary, and tc
which he gave, II Is deemed, satisfactory
replies, as no legislative action was taken
to interfere with or defeat his announced
purpose. A large part OF the lands granted
TO railroad companies has passed into the
hands OF purchasers from the railroad
company and are now inhsbitated ant
cultivated by them. The question as Il
these has practically ceased TO be one be
tween the government and the railroad
companies, and become one between th,
United States and its inhabitants ant
should be dealt with accordingly. Th'
act Of September %, 1880, should be en-
forced. but the mineral lands reserved b!
the terms OF the grant should be CAREFUL,
identified and preserved as part OF th,
public domain for the benefit Of the peo
pie.
The secretary reviews the legislation OF
arid lands and irrigation, and recon
mends that in view OF the facts and ideai
mentioned, that congress without della,
should enact comprehensive laws, de
termining the national policy In this bust
ness, and II the proposed reservoirs ar,
subject 10 local control. particular,
guarding against such misuse of the pow
ers granted as would either allow the up
per lands TO absorb the water continu
ously through the dry season. or the au
thorities TO require any but the cheapes
and most liberal terms for its transporta
ton to the inhabitants and farmers. Tn
act should sanction its provisions and res
ervations TO these ends by the most sc
we're penalties of forfeiture Of the privi
eges conferred. and Of all improvement.
, with absolute and immediate resumption
by national control 10 preserve aud effec
its original purposes.
Attention 10 called 10 the several acts G
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