Daily Republican., 1879-01-21
OUTFIT for Eintg rant Farmers, Lab
or Reform Hills.

tives, With view Of granting relief t,
that large class Of people Throughout
the country who are out Of work an,
without means to set up for themselves
One is known as Hendrick b. Wright
bill, the wcll-known Labor Reformer
who represents the Luzerne district il
this State. 1t appropriates out Of The
U. 5. Treasury $500 in the shape of q
loan to each actual settler upon til.
public lands under the Homestead Act
This loan is to be made to bona fido
settlers, for the purpose Of erecting
buildings and purchasing seed, nipple
ments OF husbandry, and such neces-
sary household articles and means OF
subsistence as may be necessary in the
commencement of permanent farming
residence, The bill provides that so,
600, 900 shall be the maximum sum
appropriated for this purpose, and pro-
vision is made for the return of the
money to the United States, with 3 per
cent, interest. The money is to be dis
bursed by receivers of the Land Office
in sections where settlements are made,
at the rate of 500 per month to each
settler who may comply with the pro-
visions Of the bill and ofthe Homestead
laws, to which Mr.. WrighL's bill is u
supplement. Notwithstanding the novel
and extravagant character of Mr..
Wrlghts bill, there are many members
who, from motives Of personal and
political expcdiency, will vote for it,and
as many more who, from similar mo-
tives, will dodge the vote.
The other bill has been prepared by
Representative liarmer, of PhiIadr!-
phla. 1t provides for ile organization
OF what is called n reserve to the regu.
lar army, to develop the agricultural
and mineral resources Of the public do
main ana afford relief, provide means Of
support and procure homesteads to the
unemployed workingmen. The pream-
bic to the bill SEES forth that, by rea-
son OF the immense over-production in
the various branches of manufacture,
1t becomes imperative that other CHAN
nels of industry be provided whereby
the large numbered idle artisans and
mechanics can find employment, and
that the development of the agricultu-
raj and mineral resources Of the public
domain, under the auspices Of the gen
eral Government, offers the speeiieSt
ana most practicable method to bring
about this result. The bill provides
that the President be authorized to ac-
cept the services Of volunteer artisans,
laborers and mechanics, not exceeding
at any one time 80, 600, who shall serve
for not exceeding five years, nor less
than two years. They must be citizens
of the United States and fitted for the
labor required.
They are to be subject to the rules
and regulations Of the army, are to be
formed into regiments Of infantry and |
placed on the footing as to pay, allow
ance, arms and equipment as soldiers
of tn" regular army. They will be re-
quired to drill at stated times, so as to
become familiar with and proficient in |
the use of arms, shall be subject to the
orders Of the President and Secretary |
of War for the suppression OF Indian
instructions, the protection OF Gov
eminent property, invasions from for
eign nations, or rebellion against the
authority OF the Government OF the
United States; are to be furnished with |
transportation from the places of en-
llstment to the several reservations. |
Each man will be allowed 100 acres of !
land, and at such times as he is not on .
military duty will be engaged in agri-
and mineral pursuits. After
an honorable discharge from the SER
vice they will receive patent from the
government to 100 acres of land. On
the death of a soldier. after having ser
we'd one year, his widow or minor
children will be entitled to all the
benefits which would have accrued to
.he soldier had he lived. They are to
be- pensioned only for disability incur
red while in the performance of actual
military duty.
These bills are considered chmerical
by the great body of Congressman of
both parties, and it is not at all likely
hat either Of them will become law.