Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-07-02
Sluice-Fork again Prods British Institu-
tiOna


Pacific TELEGRAPH HOTEL.
| VICTORIA, b. c. June 18th, 1870.
Ed. STANDARD: alive and learn" is
an old adage. The longer I remain here
the more learn of the situation of things
of both public and individual concern.
While the clamor for immigration and
augmentation of the population Of British
Columbia is raging 10 Victoria generally,
the most wealthy among her citizens, the
capitalists, are doing what, in my view of
the matter. tends more than all other
causes combined to prevent people from
coming. l allude to the land speculation,
the gobbling up of all the most conve-
nicntly located and best of the lands and
holding them at rates far above their real
value for agricultural purposes, aud be-
yond the ability of those wanting locations
for such purposes to purchase, and espcci-
ally in quantities sufficient to constitute
even an ordinary sized farm. All around
this classic metropolis are now lying acres
on acres up to large amounts of lands sus.
ceptible Of being converted into fertile
fields, and soon would be, were it not that
the land-gobblers have set their iron
heels" firmly upon them, refusing to sell
at all, or if offered for sale, put at prices
so far above their value for cultivation as
to entirely prevent their sale and settle.
ment So far as have made inquiry,
find that these lands, if for sale at all, arc
put at from SIS to 5000 per acre, accord
ing to nuality and distance from this city.
Only think Of purchasing wild lands at
even the lowest of the rates named. A
farm of one hundred acres would cost
s. 800 dollars. TO clear and put the
same in order fer crops would cost at the
least as much more, making $4,000 for a
farm Of that size, exclusive of the cost of
fencing, erecting the necessary buildings
for resident purposes, altogether running
up bill nearly approaching $4,000.
This is quite snug little sum for hun
drcd acre farm. After all this outlay, the
premises would not be likely to sell for
anything above the price asked for land
in its natural state Not very brilliant
prospect for the landlcss immigrant truly.
If the Iand-grabbers hope and expect to
procure an increase of population, by such
inducements as they now offer, they will
only live on to realize that they have been
hoping and expecting against all hope and
expectation. The most effective method
to retard the settlement, cultivation and
general prosperity and advancement of
country, is the monopolizing of its lands
by greedy spectators and holding them
at prices beyond the ability of the landless
generally to comply with, compelling the
cultivators Of the soil to pay high rents for
the lands they occupy, thus converting
the toiling masses into "hcwers of wood
and drawers of water" to the rich land
shark. Free lands makes free people, and
free people make prosperous and happy
country. In order then to induce immigra.
ton the lands should be offered ut rates
and upon conditions suited to the ability
of such as want them for settlement and
cultivation to comply with. No individu-
al, or corporate body of persons, can in
fact be considered benefactors of their
kind, while holding large bodies of land
exempt from sale and settlement, or if
offered for sale, held at prices above their
actual value for cultivation. and beyond
the ability of the tilers of soil generally
to accept. To make country population
is indispensable, and population cannot be
had, unless the soil be obtainable upon
which to settle them. Why should the
Hudson Bay Company hold the lands
they pretend to own at such enormous
prices? Did their cost them big sums, or
have they not yet satisfactorily plundcred
the country? apprehend the lands they
claim cos. them but little or nothing, for
the reason that there was nobody authorized
to sell it to them when they obtained it.
The said company "squatted" on the
whole northwest country in the name of
His Majesty the British King, and then
obtained big and boundless grants" of
the British government for themselves. 1
may not be entirely right, in these state
ments, but think l am nearly So Any
body can acquire whole continent in the
same manner, providing an unoccupied
one could be found. Old Christopher Co.
lumbus might have become possessed,
probably, Of the whole American continent
in the same way, and ultimately put the
price of the lands at S75 per acre. But
the difference between Christopher Colum-
bus and the Hudson Bay Company, is,
that Christopher was not land-grabber.
Christopher was too much of benefactor
Of his kind to gobble up all the lands he
put his feet upon.' He was willing "the
rest of mankind" should have the benefit
Of his discoveries as we'll as himself. l
always liked Christopher Columbus, for
the reason that he did not Jump" the
American continent, but left it for the
good of all. No better evidence could ex-
list that the and-grabbers of our time did
not descend from the Columbus family.
Peace to the ashes of Christopher Colum-
bus, say 1.
In my little dealings with people in va
rious parts Of this city, l find it to be the
most barberous place l ever was in. One
can get " shaved" at any hour in the day,
| and nj nricas ra nnino. G.on, A.uol.e aa.x.