During the last fiscal year 8,095,413 acres of public land were disposed of.  Of this quantity 3,698,910.05 acres were taken under the homestead law and 2,159,515.81 acres sold for cash.  The remainder was located with military warrants, college or Indian scrip, or applied in satisfaction of grants to railroads or for other public uses.  The entries under the homestead law during the last year covered 961,545 acres more than those during the preceding year.  Surveys have been vigorously prosecuted to the full extent of the means applicable to the purpose.  The quantity of land in market will amply supply the present demand.  The claim of the settler under the homestead or the preemption laws is not, however, limited to lands subject to sale at private entry.  Any unappropriated surveyed public land may, to a limited amount, be acquired under the former laws if the party entitled to enter under them will comply with the requirements they prescribe in regard to the residence and cultivation.  The actual settler’s preference right of purchase is even broader, and extends to lands which were unsurveyed at the time of his settlement.  His right was formerly confined within much narrower limits, and at one period of our history was conferred only by special statutes.  They were enacted from time to time to legalize what was then regarded as an unauthorized intrusion upon the national domain.  The opinion that the public lands should be regarded chiefly as a source of revenue is no longer maintained.  The rapid settlement and successful cultivation of them are now justly considered of more importance to our well-being than is the fund which the sale of them would produce.  The remarkable growth and prosperity of our new States and Territories attest the wisdom of the legislation which invites the tiller of the soil to secure a permanent home on terms within the reach of all.  The pioneer who incurs the dangers and privations of a frontier life, and thus aids in laying the foundation of new commonwealths, renders a signal service to his country, and is entitled to its special favor and protection.  These laws secure that object and largely promote the general welfare.  They should therefore be cherished as a permanent feature of our land system.

Good faith requires us to give full effect to existing grants.  The time-honored and beneficent policy of setting apart certain sections of public land for educational purposes in the new States should be continued.  When ample provision shall have been made for these objects, I submit as a question worthy of serious consideration whether the residue of our national domain should not be wholly disposed of under the provisions of the homestead and preemption laws.