The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-01

u>.ss IL II. Il 700
Eyomias s7.S7s.aoo ii.4si,sso 4s.Olo,O6O
Total 2s2 ~ ..as sos 80. .al t5se 2ls,sel
the unsurveyed lands in Oklahoma are in
she public land strip.
This aggregate IL exclusive OF the Cherokee
strip. containing S.of4.sA acres, and eli Other
lands owned or claimed BY Indians in the In
dian territory west Of the 96tn degree OF loagi-
public domain by the IA h sectionsof the act OF
March 2 1883 RS STAT 1.O05l. and II IL also ex-
elusive OF Alaska, Of all lands in Indian reser-
This table was especially prepared 80 that
some approximate estimate may be made by
those seeking homes, not only of the general ex-
tent OF unclaimed lands bat also In What partic-
ular states and territories there is presented the
opportunity for selection. Our government has
been lavish IN it, bestowment OF the public
lands upon states, territories. schools colleges.
railroads and individuals. but thare still re-
mains this immense empire to be occupied by
the growth Of our free and industrious popula-
ton.
The policy Of the government has 10 long
beon such - TO derive !ts means of support from
other sources, that 10 has been possible to dis.
pose Of the public lands freely for the benefit of
the people. This policy has been deemed BY
some too Tree and 70 gardless OF the future but
he'd II been otherwise the restraint put upon the
inofease OF states, upon the progress Of improve
1ent upon the establishment Of millions upon
their own homesteads and upon the support OF
education would have been incalcuiabie, aud
the loss In comp etsncy Independence and
patriotism would have far outwsighed the
money value Of the lands granted. The repub-
lilo strengthens per manently its most substan-
tial resources whe IL converts its wilds into
homes, establishes upon the vacant national do
main new territories and maintains them until
I they come into the Union a. prosperous states
1 The policy Of the department has been con-
H. - wxf~ - - ~A~.~-
have been begun. under the present administra-
tion, In giving . liberal Interpretation to the
land laws IN favor OF the settlers and by advanc-
Ing. - far ~ can reasonably b. done. the early
decsions upon all entries made, contested or
uncontested
achieved In accomplishing these purposes:
II appears from the report of the commissioner
Of the general land once that 10 600 600 acres of
agricultural land were transferred TO actual set
tlers during the past year. embracing those
upon nnal and committed homestead entries,
presumption. timber culture. desert. private
cash. townsite. and all other entries for strictly
agriculture non- mineral lands.
The lands patented 70 states for education,
internal improvements and public buildings
have exceeded 800 per cent. over the previous
year, amounting In 1890 to $50 9.sf acres
The patents issued for the year ending June
30, 1890. numbered 1924, as against 70.l4l the
in patents OF 7.l06. and In land OF 1856 $50
acres, the patents for 1890 covering 1S,759,5oo
acres; those for 1889. Il. 90, $50
In addition 10 these there was an increase OF
t9a In mineral aud millsite patents issued In
1900 those for 1890 being f.407: for 1882 9l3 The
area OF coal lands granted in 1890 nesry doubled
that Of the or. vious year. In 1890 there were
20 patents, covering Ss.47s ~ acres and in 1882
l55 patents. covering II, o96.s0
The swamp land patents to states amounted
to only soo. sSl.s9, which is decrease from pre-
cedinE year OF $50 s69. Sc acres.
The railroads have also received patents for
siisas7 acres less than last year: $50 ss21 Is for
1850 against l25.0ae.o2 In 1889. OF which ISL
57a(4 acres were In Minnesota. aud the re-
nainder In lows, Louisiana and Wisconsin.
BESIDES there were patents to Indians for
lands In severalty, and miscellaneous claims
for LOG, o0& OF acrea
ON June 80, 1890, there were 20. 06& nual en-.
tries oil all kinds pending. a. agains, .76.7sl on
June 80. 1850, q decrease during the last year of
sS6s7 entriea The financial results have been
quite satisfactory. the total receipts from pub
lilo lands being $7,47o.s5o 81. On reference to
the commissioners report It viii be observed
that over four times ~ many acres we're sold
under presumption entries ~ Any other kind.
amounting, indeed, 20 two-thiTda of all the sales
The following figures AIKEN IRON the commits
nioners report, show the lands Claimed by the
subsidized railroads and other corporations
There were certified or patented up to 1890:
For railroad purposes 1850 TO $500 .si,sss s4eA
For wagon road purposes us2a to
For can a PURPOSES ns2s 10 issol. -. 4tS2osSoS
For river improvements tis2s TO 1900 i,scs 2loso
Totsf. eSg92, 500. 30
But during the last fiscal year there were but
@s so Is acres patented. and these were for
railroads only.
Previous to June So 1890 the number OF miles
Of such roads bailt was fs,07o7i: but during the
last year only 20 miles were completed. and but
one map o. location WAS filed, being that for
Southern Pacific railroad, for 20 miles west OF
The pending iists Jet Enacted upon are:
Aeres
For railroads ;...-......... ss,tsI7o9oa
For Oregon wagon roads. sob,st6e7
Total OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 2e.Tz6,sSS76
The cause OF insction upon taese Lists. as
rlained in sthe last annual report was from
doubt whether congress would endesvor 10 for
leit the lands OF those roads that were not built
within the time provided in their respect i've
grants.
The subject wss presented 60 congress In your
arst message, aud congress has scied upon &c.
10 the extent OF declaring a forfeiture OF all
those lands heretofore granted that are coter-
minous with any uncoustructed portion o. the
route The act IL entitled. An acI q forfeit
sertsin lands heretofore granted foe the pur-
pose Of aiding "a the construction OF railroads.
and for other fuS poses" and vas approved Sep
fsmher -. 1890
While This subject ives eader consideration BY
congress- each branch thereof took action In re-
alton thereto BY revolutions addressed 10 the
secretary. and TO which he gave, IL Is dee med,
,atssfsesory replies, o. no Legislative action was
aiken TO interfere with or defeat his announced
purpose.
large part OF the isnds granted to railroad
sempAniss haa passed into the hands Of put