Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1882 — THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. [ARTICLE]

THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Abstract of tlie Report of the Commissioner of the General Land Office. The Commissioner of the Land Office, in his annual report, states that the lands noAV embraced Avithin the limits of the public domain amount to 900,030,000 acres, including Alaska. He recommends that the Pre-emp-tion laAv be abolished, as the Homestead laws cover all cases now arising. Public sales of land last year amounted to 7,933 acres, embracing 5,010 acres near Toledo, Ohio, which were sold for $10,735, an average of $3.38 per acre. Respecting the forfeiture of railroad grants the Commissioner says: “ The status of various grants for railroad purposes where roads have not been constructed within the time prescribed by law Avas reported to Congress March 28 last. The absence of legislative action touching the renewal of these grants or declaring the forfeiture thereof seriously embarrassed the Avork of this office. It is not deemed expedient to certify additional lands to the railroad companies, nor to award to the companies lands in dispute between them and settlers or other claimants, pending the determination of Congress in the premises. Large numbers of settlers occupy such lands, and it is important to know whether they can receive their titles from the United States, or whether they Avill be required to purchase from the railroad companies. Commissioner Macfarland submits an estimate for the salaries and contingent expenses of the next fiscal year, amounting in the aggregate to $453,940, which is an increase of the amount appropriated for the current fiscal year of $33,940. The increase is distributed generally among the bureau officers, and includes $3,000 for an Assistant Commissioner. In accordance with an act passed at the last session of Congress, the Commissioner of the General Land Office is now preparing for publication a volume containing the codified Land laws and the history of the public domain of the United States, compiled and prepared by the Public Lgnd Commission, with all of the subsequent Land laws passed up to the day of adjournment of the last Congress. There will be a limited number of volumes published for general distribution, and many applications for them have already been received from lawyers and persons engaged in the land business, to whom the book will be of much value. A little boy had his long curls cut off, and Avas annoyingly reminded of the fact by the remarks of all his friends. Going Avitli his family into the country, soon after his arrival he came running into the house in great sorrow, crying: “Mamma, mamma, even the hens laugh at me; they all say: ‘Cut-cut-cut-got-your-hair-out,’ Country Gentleman.