Final answer:
Federal land grant legislation was contentious because of concerns over government giving free land to railroad companies, inequitable land distribution that often favored the wealthy, and issues surrounding the establishment of land-grant universities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Federal land grant legislation was contentious due to several key issues. Concerns arose over the government practice of granting free land to railroad companies, which some saw as a form of graft, given the importance of land sales as a source of government revenue in a time before federal income tax and large budget deficits. Additionally, land grants historically played a significant part in the expansion and development of the United States; however, the distribution of land often favored those with financial means, creating a contentious environment where the interest of various social classes and the equity of land distribution were in question.
The establishment of land-grant universities was another aspect of federal land grants which, while beneficial in many ways, also reflected the complexities of land allocation policies and their long-term implications on society.