New-York tribune., 1872-06-04
CLUMSY LEGIsLATIoN-THE SOLDIERS HOME
STEAD BILL.


STEAD BILL.
TO the Editor Of The TrfbWR6.
SIR: Any general beneficial measure looking
20 enabling our soldiers their widows orphans TO
acquire homesteads the public lands just now, ap
pears far distant What with total misconcepton Of
Senator Logans valuable bill; the irrelevant and unn-
telgOle amendments, with additions as incorporated
lately during Its passage; the apathy and hOwnoodO-
1t desire somaLiesty peryadng Congress, the thousands
who had looked upon this measure to provide them with
an independent home doomed to disappointment.
The facts these During the Spring OF 1868 /
asked frame public land bill by and for those who
enlisted served and had been honoraby discharged in
the late war well aware that the passage of any
form Of bounty land act at present would result in mani
fest injury TO the progress Of the Western sates hence
this measure was framed by which, while it salts
factory all soldiers and heirs, the public lands would
be completely protected from every speculative
abuse and additional impetus be given In
the settlement Of the Great West. Such bill, honest
and complete acceptable TO ALL after various in
the House of Representatives. presented year
ago in the Senate by Logan and lately after many
amendm ents, irrelevant, others unintellgibe,
passed both branches and in due time received the sigma
Of the President Now six weeks after its passage
the Commissioner Of the General Land Office, who is re-
qured to give the needfu rules to into effect the
provisions OF the act returns TO Congress asking for
explanation other words to have its doubtful clauses
construed 1t is the first time that eminent are
unable TO corstrue their own construction, as TIE
learned Commissioner himself, with Senator P0merOy
and some others, all had hand in its late composition
changing the original that its friend and advocate
for four years failed recognize it after passage It
Is parallel case that claiming attention for
consequential damages. revealing sbecity, incompe.
tence and utter neglect In officials In the the
deserving soldiers are chagTiued and disappointed in
the other the nation
Mesears Legislators the act which you passed Is at
best incomplete and unsatisfactory 10 the rank and file
Land Offices has not IN the least been reduced and Is
totally unavailable 10 disabled soldiers soldiers widows
orphans 10 Is needless at present 10 multiply words.
Thus have trhed with The known desires Of those
country in the OF its danger You then and since
have repeatedly asked and obtained their suffrage TO
Can you now iu honor ask for this continuance But a
small portion Of Senator LOgans dll have you passed.
They ask that the remainder presented In the House
OF Representatives by the Hon. b. + Meyers OF PeDnsy
The voice Of 4eO0N loyal eXsOldcTs through petitions
presented have asked the passage OF this alOnenOne
other. Repeated inquiries have been made or me as
how II came that you evnced much aacrity |
passing suchuge land grants 20
while you ignored the Soldiers Homes bill il
come this honorable legislators because there
Ont dollar subsidy 20 any OF you in the b
that fails recognition, even by of candid
examnatiOni All IL asks Is careful consideration
When this Is awarded, ~ viii be found " be honest aud
iust available and satisfactory TO all persons and it will
dispose OF forever the agitation OF dangerous bounty
land act and while thoroughly protecting the public
lands from every speculative abuse VIII be the means Of
retaining the remaining portion in the hands alone Of
IT, actui settler 10 whom they properly belong and
vii accelerate through increased settlement the pros
pcrty Of our Western States and Territories. snch bill
the oNsoder ask TO be passed az your hands previous
- the close Of this session. such they desire and sneh
Oalg VIII they accept. III, q, NAIr
6F@ fert Mn - 1871