176 THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF ALASKA 



The patenting of mineral lands in Alaska is not a new thing, 

 for that work has been going on all the time. 



In 1897 a surveyor-general was specifically provided for by 

 the act of June 24 and an additional land office authorized, but 

 the latter could not be opened, as no appropriation was made 

 for salaries. 



By the bill now before Congress, and which will undoubtedly 

 become a law, the homestead land laws are extended over Alaska, 

 subject to such regulations as may be made by the Secretary of 

 the Interior. 



The bill provides : 



That no indemnity, deficiency, or lieu lands pertaining to any land 

 grant outside of Alaska shall be located within that Territory. 



That no entry shall be allowed extending more than forty rods along 

 the shore of any navigable water, and along such shore a space of at least 

 forty rods shall be reserved from entry between such claims. 



That nothing within the act shall be so construed as to authorize entries 

 to be made or title acquired to the shore of any navigable waters within 

 the Territory. 



That no homestead shall exceed forty acres, unless it be located on 

 meadow land or land chiefly valuable for grazing or agricultural purposes, 

 of which 160 acres may be entered as a homestead under the general land 

 laws of the United States. 



That any citizen, association, or corporation may purchase, for purposes 

 of trade, manufacture, or other productive industry, not exceeding forty 

 acres, at $2.50 per acre, such tract not to include mineral or coal lands. 



That a right of way 100 feet wide may be granted to duly organized 

 railroad companies, which are also given the right to take from unoccu- 

 pied public lands adjacent such material as may be necessary in construc- 

 tion, and to purchase not to exceed forty acres of land for terminal facili- 

 ties and twenty acres for stations, at $1.25 per acre, but the act cannot be 

 construed to give such companies the ownership or use of minerals or coal 

 within the right of way or terminal and station grounds. 



That all charges for transportation shall be fixed subject to the approval 

 of the Secretary of the Interior. 



That rights of way, 100 feet broad, may be granted for wagon roads, 

 wire-rope, aerial, or other tramways on similar terms. 



All affidavits, proofs, and other papers in relation to lands which may 

 have been or may hereafter be taken and sworn to anywhere in the 

 United States shall be accepted. 



The Secretary of the Interior may cause to be appraised and sold the 

 timber on the public lands, in such quantities as he may prescribe, to be 

 used in the Territory, but not for export purposes. 



The President is authorized to divide the Territory into two or more 

 land districts, and to appoint a register and receiver for each district. 



A bill making further provision for the civil government of 



