The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-02-01

polies Tin i&N3 tSla1 1IvG1I - ~ -
the feet 81 he maases equals Iaex>s<t yIrGIala,
MARYLAND, DelAware, Ohio, Psnnylsenia, New
Jsrse5, New York. Conneceicut, Vermonk ksw
Hamcahirxs Maine, Mu1nackn.stt9 end khp4e
Island, with mose than Altsen miIlloa1 u cores
left which, slons, uosl1 give 70 each head q :
family, In Psnnsyivania and New Ycrk s1eut
sixtsen acres; e., taking ths vhols no has-
died million acres. u would siveto eysey koAd
Of family h the DATED States shout torsy acres,
the shole being In exssnt Of Territory about
equal 70 England, Ireland, WaleA Scotland.
France and Belgium, whoss present pepelssioa
l. about ssyenty-fvs million The land thus
taken from the people, without their consent,
tuition, would make an empire capable o. sas-
saiaing population Of three hundred million %
people.
He then argues, and very cisariys TOO,
that the land like cir and water, was given
to man q free gift, and that no Legislative
body had the moral o. Legal right 70 convey
70 any corporation, thst which wa designed
By Providenes Cor the uss Of oil its children.
Also, that it should b held by the Govern
meat for the use Of the people, 70 Be- given
10 whomsosssr woald Improve and cultivate
il, and that h should be disposed Of osly TO
actual settlers, Ia such quantities a. would
ensure its proper cultivation By the sstf'<r.
BE concludes With the following prOposl-
tons:
We now want:
First-A new department at Washington, 30
be called ssfhe Department Of Labor" the head
of said department 20 be called tbs Secretary Of
Labor, and 70 be chosen directly from the ranks
of workingmen. To this department should be
referred all questions Of wages aud the hours OF
laber in all navy yards and other government
workshops-the registry and regulation OF Trades
Unions and cooperative associations dis
position of the public lands, and all other ques
lions directly connected with and effecting Ia
Dor.
Second-The uncor ditioual repeal Of oil laws
bearing upon the disposition Of the public do
main.
Third-The adoption Of plain unsarnished
law for the giving away Of the public lands 70
actual settlers in parcels Of not less than forty
nor more than one hundred acres, no man being
allowed to hold in bis own name, the name o
his wife, nor any other name, more than one
tract
Fourth--Every man taking up land 70 be re-
quired to proceed to live upon, improve ana cui
tivate it within one year, or forfeit his claim.
Neutrality-suspicious. to be made from the
United States treasury to assist working men
who desire to locate upon the public domain, but
who are destitute Of the means 10 do 20.
Sixth--No grants Of public land 70 be made
to railroad companies, or other corporations, nor
to individuals, except actual settlers, under any
circumstances, nor for any purpose.
Seventh-Al lands granted 10 railroad com
panies, or other corporate ), or individuals, re-
naming unoccupied and uncultivated at the enc
Of i've years from the date OF said grant, 70 re-
vert back to the government, and De sold at gov
ernment price, ISL rs pc. aere) the proceeds tt
90 to the persons to whom the grant wss made
This provision to apply 70 all grants that have
been made.
Eighth-All uncultivated lands held BY gram
Of congress, by any person or persons, shall pal
a tax OF ten cents per acre into the treasury Of
the United States, bntil said lands are cultivat
ed, or have reverted 10 the government.
Ninth--All nncsltisAted lands nsv held b!
grant Of congress, by any person or persons
shall be Immediately placed Ia the market at on'
dollar and twenty fve cents per acre