No part of the public domain is now (since 1889) subject to private cash entry, except in the state of Missouri and in cases where Congress has made special provision therefor.  The preemption and timber culture laws were repealed in 1891.  It has also been provided that no public lands of the United States shall be sold by public sale, except abandoned military reservations of less than 5,000 acres, mineral lands and other lands of a special nature, and isolated tracts that have been subject to homestead entry for three years after the surrounding land has been disposed of.

HOW SLAVERY WAS ABOLISHED IN THE SEVERAL STATES.

The slave trade was prohibited by congress in 1808.  From that time on it was a felony to bring slaves into the United States.

Slavery never legally existed in the states carved out of the Northwest Territory.  It was forbidden by the ordinance of 1787.

Vermont abolished it in forming her state constitution in 1777. [Footnote:  Before her admission into the Union.]

Massachusetts, by constitution, 1780.

Pennsylvania, gradual abolition by statute, began in 1780; had 64 in 1840.

New Hampshire, by constitution, 1783.

Rhode Island and Connecticut, gradual abolition, 1784.

New York began in 1799, finished July 4, 1827.

New Jersey began in 1804, but had 18 in 1860.

By the Missouri compromise, 1820, slavery ceased “in all that territory ceded by France to the United States, under the name of Louisiana, which lies north of 36 degrees and 30 minutes north latitude,” [Footnote:  Thomas amendment to act for admitting Missouri.] except Missouri.  This part of the act was, in the Dred Scott case, declared by the supreme court to be invalid, still a provision forbidding slavery found its way into the constitution of each of the states afterward seeking admission.

By the emancipation proclamation, Jan. 1, 1863, the slaves of those in arms against the United States were declared free.

The thirteenth amendment, adopted 1865, abolished slavery in all parts of the United States.

HOW VOTING IS DONE IN LEGISLATIVE BODIES. [Footnote:  See also Among the Lawmakers, pp. 168-70.]

Acclamation.—­The most common way of voting on ordinary questions is by acclamation; that is, when a question is put those in favor of it say “aye,” and then those opposed say “no.”  In this case, a majority of those voting prevails.  This is sometimes called voting viva voce.

Division.—­If the presiding officer is uncertain as to which side is in the majority, he may call for a division, or this may be demanded by any member.  Then those voting in the affirmative stand and are counted, after which those voting in the negative do similarly.

Yea and Nay.—­On important questions in congress, or on any question by demand of one-fifth of the members, the vote is by “yeas and nays” that is, the roll is called, and each member responds “yea” or “nay.”  In some states, including Minnesota, all bills must be voted on in this way, and must receive a majority of the total membership in order to pass.