The Russellville Democrat., 1875-07-29
PUBLIC LANDS.
Let the Pre-cmptiOn Law Dc Re-enacted. Give as an
 Equal Showing.

OAAO 1hSs
 ATong the many acts of mac Legislation in the evil years of tho past, we have a right to place that, whereby the whole public domain in the southern states, was withdrawn from sale. It was pre-. tended to be in the interest of the landless negroes, but has operated, if it was intended from the start to operate, against the settlement and development of this part oi the common country.
 All the abundance of money seeking permanent investment in cheap lands; all the land warran ts for military service; all the agrl- cultural scrips, and land grants of every character, that might have sought location in the South, were forced into the far North West.
 This has been grievous wrong; and it has been borne long enough. Our torefathers alledged similar wrong, as one of the grievances they complained of, ill the declar- ation of independence.
 As there seems to be a sense of returning justice in the nation, we have q right to expect relief.
 To suspend the sal.s of public land, in our state, might be held in a court of equity, as a violation of the compact, when Arkansas became a state.
 But whether this is so or not, it is inimlcal to the advancement of the state and to her revenues; and therefore a grievous wrong.
 We have no objection to the homestead law. We, as our faith CTS, bought and paid for all our lands, and yet we have no objec- tion to the new policy of the Gov ernment, whereby, after collecting a high prlce, from the industrious and hardy pioneers, who explored and settled the country, it propos- es to GIVE the indolent and i'm provident free homes.
 We have no objection to this. But that the industrious and en- terprising men shall be debarred from the privilege of developing the public domain with capital and enterprise, we do object, and that the southern states, and es- pecially our own state of Arkan- sas, shall be so treated, we do most sincerely object.
 We have millions of acres of land mot fit for cultivation" and yet of considerable value for lum- bering and grazing purposes. No man can locate an acre of these, without swearing to a falsehood, for he cannot want for agriculture, what is not fit for agriculture.
 Again the thrifty farmer who bought his 160 acres 20 years ago, and has improved it so that an ad joining 40, so, or l60 acres be- comes desirable to him, is debarr- ed from entry in favor of some scalawag, who will squat, and stay a year, and then sell to another who will do likewise. They rare ly perfect their homestead titles, pay no taxes, do little for devel- opment of the country; and to a greater or less extent, stand in the way of bona fide settlement.
 Let the homestead law stand with all its privileges. Let the pre- -emption law be restored to our lands, and let the lands be re- stored. to market, especially those not fit for cultivation, at reduced price, or let them be given to the states for their disposal in the manner that the people shall judge to be most likely, to pro- mote the general welfare.
 We call upon our members of congress, to give this subject their special attention, and to so thor oughly understand the subject, that they may be able to place it in such a light before the repre- sentatives of the nation, that they will not deny us this common justice. We ask for nothing but equal rights. We ask for nothing but the removal of n wrong, un- wisely committed.
 Our demands are reasonable, and we do not see how the justice of the nation can refuse us, if we earnestly ask for what seems to be a common right.
 We heartily concur in the above sensible remarks from the State. We see no good policy in the gov ernment holding all these lands in reserve for year after year. Let them be sold and the money go into the treasury where it is badly needed, and the land into somebody's hands who will pay tax on it.
 Fayetteville Democrat: Farm
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