The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-01-30

This department should also have charge
Of the distribution Of the public lands. To
carry out this proposition successfully the
following legislation IN necessary:
FUsf. The repeal Of all laws bearing upon
the disposition Of the public domain.
Second. The adoption Of plain, simple
laws for the gtving aseoy Of the public lands
to actual settlers, in parcels Of not less than
one hundred and sixty acres; no man be-
ing allowed to hold in his own name, the
name of bis wife, nor any other name, more
than one tract.
Third. Every man ,Aking up land TO be
required &c proceed To live upon, improve
and cultivate it, within c.a year, or forfeit
his claim.
Fourth. No grants Of public lands, to be
made to railroad companies, or other corpo-
rations or individuals, under any circum-
stances or for any purposes, except to actual
settlers.
Fifth. All lands granted or sold to rail.
road companies, or other corporations, or IN
dividusls, remaining unoccupied and uncul-
tivated at the end Of Eve years from the
date of said grant or sale, to revert back
to the government, and sold at govern
ment price, the proceeds to 20 to the pers on
or persons to whom the grant or sale was
made. This provision should apply to all
grants OF sales made.
Sizth. All uncultivAted lands held BY pur.
chase, or grant Of congress, BY any person
or persons, shall pay a tax Of twenty five
cents per scre, into the Treasury Of the
United States, until said lands are cultivs-
ted or have reverted back to government.
Seventh. All uncultivstec lands now held
by purchase or grant Of congress, By any
person OF persons, shall be immediately
placed 10 the n arket at one dollar and TWEEN
ty-fve cents per acre, and shall be sold L
actual settlers only, and in quantities mo-
exceeding one hundred and sixty acres.
Eighth. Appropriations shall be mad,
rom the United States Treasury, to assist
work ngmen who desire to locate upon the
public domain, but WHO are destitute of th,
means 10 DO 50.
By this IL VII be seen that we not only
desire to CIR the land to such as will live
upon and cultivate il, bet We are in favor O.
furnishing the funds necessary to take the
settler to the land, aud put him in position
10 cultivate it.
All this should be done through the Labor
Department and all .oney advanced to set
tiers should be a loan free Of interest, lol
W ich a first mortgage should be taken up"-
the land, the money to be refunded at az
end of FIVE years the secretary of labor Il
have the right to grant az extension not ex
ceedng five years.
With provisions such as III Sc, hundreds o.
who, through bad legislation and other
causes, are now out of employ ment in the
manufacturing districts aud large over
crowded cities, who for the most part art
iCle consumers, would soon find their way tC
the public lanjs and become producers The
result OF all this would be increased prOduc-
tion-lower prices for the necessaries Of life
higher wages for all kinds Of labor the
decrease Of crime in our ciIies-a large add
ton to the permanent wealth Of the nation,
and a degree Of peace, prosperity and happi-
ness never before attained by any nation 70
people in the world.