Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-08
erll- Coal.

Or an excess during the four fiscal years ended
June 80, 1892, over the four years ended June
", 1855. In the number Of mineral patents issued
Of So per cent andin the number Of coal patents
Issued OF ~ per cent. clearing the mineral and
coal dockets and passing to the people and the
states and nation millions Of permanent wealth
During the period from 1889 to 1892 there
were A, $50 acres of the public domain sur
ysyed, - against 2, us. 500 during the proceed
Ing four years During last fiscal year the cash
as acres, the principal item Of which was 9ls,-
7S9 acres, which were entered under the pre-
smptton law. The homestead entries amounted
70 7,716, 062 acres and the railroad selections to
2,I65, 4zS acres. Indian lands disposed Of az
grsgats ". 466scres. The total acreage disposed
of during the year was IS, 6s4.o19. Three thou
And two hundred and forty-two mineral and
nill-sits patents were issued during the year
- against J. S2 during the year 1891. The re-
port shows that the vacant public lands in the
United States aggregate 567 $50. 7sS acres.
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS.
The commissioner recommends a liberal pol
Icy in reference 10 surveys Of the public ands
In all Of the states This policy, he saws. is die
tated, not only by due respect for the inter-
ssss Of the United States, but the unwritten OBJ
ngsnon which rests upon the government
toward those who have been induced by the
terms Of the homestead and presumption laws
70 become pioneer settlers upon the public do
main. A general law on the subject Of public
1oreee u, the report says, unquestionably de-
manoed which shall make adequate provision in
respect TO both forest and reservation and the
cutting and removal Of timber TO supply the
pubhc necessities, and shall also repeal ali ex-
song acts or parts of acts inconsistent with
The provisions thereof. As regards the leading
features Of such an act he is of the opinion
that the same should be in line with the follow
ing general suggestions:
Provision should be made for the immediate
reservation Of all public lands bearing forests
or timber except for entry under the homestead
mining lava
Individual settlers, farmers, locaters of mines
&e., should be authorized to procure from the
pubic timber lands such timber as may be inn
peratively needed TO supply their actual per
sona necessities for fuel. buildings, fences and
tns Improvement Of their claims
The cutting or removal of public timber
should beprohibited for purposes Of Transports
uon or expectation, or for sale or disposal. on
Tor any other use whatever except as above
stated OF under laws enacted and rules and
regulations prescribed by the local Legislature
OF the state or territory in which the timber n
Scesteo, or unless permit 20 cut timber has
Interior
A penalty should BE- provided for wasting on
destroying timber growing or being on public
lands, whether by IRE, Telling or othervise. viii
the provision attached that Of all Gums collected
- fines, penalties or damages nader The act
one-hAlf shall be paid to the informer. IN any
and The other half 10 the school fund Of the
county or counties In which the offense was