[semimojo]

There is really no reason for this except as a way for the FG to enforce it’s will on these state’s people.

Well, that and the fact that those Western states didn't want the land when they became states.

[vette6387]

“Well, that and the fact that those Western states didn’t want the land when they became states.”

And just how do you know that to be the case? And moving ahead 100 years or more, if that were to have ever been the case, it isn’t now. My wife is from Nevada, and I can tell you that Nevadans are pissed off to no end about the Federal Government’s “ownership” of nearly 90% of their state.