By  this  consistent  policy  of  the  federal  government  to  divest
itself  of  its  public  lands  as  soon  as  possible,  the  principle  of
private  ownership  of  land  has  been  formally  fixed ;  even  the
lands  given  to  the  states  and  to  railroads  have  in  most  cases
been  speedily  sold  to  individuals  or  corporations.  Within  the
limits  of  the  present  city  of  Chicago  there  were  originally  9
square  miles  of  land  reserved  for  school  purposes,  which,  had
it  been  retained  and  rented,  would  have  splendidly  supported
the  whole  system  of  schools  without  a  dollar  of  taxes.  I^rge
amounts  of  land  are  still  held  by  the  great  railroads,  although
it  is  their  policy  to  sell  them,  so  as  to  build  up  traffic  over
their  lines.
The  operations  of  the  Land  Office  in  the  fiscal  year  ending
June  30,  1 90 1,  show  the  following  data  :  —

Area  disposed  of,  15,600,000  acres;  of  which  1,300,000
acres  were  cash  sales;  14,200,000  acres,  miscellaneous  entries
and  selections;  and  100,000  acres,  Indian  lands.  The  cash
receipts  were  $5,000,000,  of  which  §3,600,000  was  for  land,
$1,300,000  for  fees  and  commissions.  The  expenses  were
$800,000.
