The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1869-12-04
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There - gigantic evil. which has been stead
i,y SrozinS O. this ece=., =h;eh e<:ae-.,y VII
require the strong arm of Legislative force to
abate-the absorption OF the public lands for
| speculative purposes to the exclusion Of the
actual settler. This monopoly more immedi-
ately affects the people of California. bot to a
certain extent its baleful influence is expert
enced by Nevada and the people of the entire
Pacific coast. As an illustration Of the magni-
tude Of the operations of the land SPECTATORS,
\ If is said that since the order by the Secretary
| of the Interior was made, opening the lands
TO entry formerly granted to the Southern Pa
cific Railroad, through the southern portion
Of California, one operator in San Francisco
has drawn $l45, eco from hank for investment
in these lands; which amount, in legal tenders,
will purchase Ia, 600 acres. Other parties are
operating on a scale equally as extensive.
Through these gigantic spectators the fertile
and grazing lands Of Southern California. and
particularly in the county Of San Bernariino,
are being rapidly absorbed The monopoly Of
these extensive estates is 4 practical nullifca-
ton Of the Congressional acts and of "A most
destructive effect upon the material interests
"a S@-S SOoSA. AsALtAs a4c .Nst
withdrawn from the productive resources of
the country; for they are at once advanced to
prices which practically place them beyond
the reach of most Of those who desire them
for actual settlement. Thousands are virtually
deprived of homes for themselves and families
by this grssping policy, and year after year
the fertile valleys and plains are left TO their
ORIGINAL solitude rrhtrb rpIar nsh.r
stances, would be covered with prosperous
communities. The evils which this system is
entailing upon this coast cannot be longer ig-
nored. The injury is 80 personal, immediate
and apparent that the abatement OF the nui-
sance has become one of the necessities OF the
period. For years these public lands have
been virtually grabbed up until but little of all
that magnificent public domain, intended for
the use OF the people, now remains. The trav-
eler through the southern counties of Califor-
mia will find the track Of the Spectator upon
nearly every hill and valley which the broad
sweep of the old Spanish grants left unincum-
bered. On these wooded hills and magnificent
pastures capital escapes its burden under
nominal rate of assessment, and taxation is
virtually farce. 1t is only recently that the
attention of the public has been generally
drawn to the magnitude of these specuiAtions.
The large immigration into certain portions of
Southern California during the past Summer,
has developed the extensive scale upon which
the monopolists have operated, and proves
the necessity for speedy action to correct the
abuse. The question cannot longer be kept
ont of the politics of the coast; it is bound TO
exert powerful influence upon the future Of
political parties. Whatever may be the per
sonal interest Of few individuals, ii is certain
that the Democracy is bound to take position
on this question. Land and Labor. These
ttro mighty forces which are to control the
politics of this eoast-free, white mans labor,
and field upon which TO develop it. Oppo-
sition TO serfdom, in the shape of cOOlieism
has already done much to strengthen the De-
mocracy and insure its triumph here: and free
land, room for all, is bound to do still more to
render that success certain and permanent.
The Democracy has always been foe 10 mo-
noPolies, and above all, to those affecting the
public lands. All its interests and sympathies
are in that direction. 1t is probable that the
Democratic Legislature of California will i'm
mediately memorabilia Congress for legislation
suppressing this growing evil; asking that the
lands be subject only to entry on actual settle
ment. This will likely be followed by State
legislation providing for a more effective as
sessment by which these great estates may
be rated at something like their actual value,
and thus made accessible ut reasonable figures
The adoption of this policy, and its mainte-
nance, will assuredly have the support of the
great mass, even of those who may differ from
that political organization on many other is
sues less vitality affecting the interests Of the
people of this coast.