The Russellville Democrat., 1879-10-16
PROSPERITY AND PLENTY IN THE
 NORTH AND NORTHWEST.
PUBLIC LANDS ALONG OUR OWN RAILROAD & HOW
 TO GET THEM.
Influence of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Road on Arkan- sas.-.-IDdian Territory
 Should be Opened.

city has few words to say for tht general good.
 There is q general air of prosperi
 U pcrvading the people all through Ohio, Ind, H., Mo-, Kansas and Nebraska, as for as the writer has observed Tn travels this summer, and the reign Of doubt, depression and uncertainty are practically at an end
 Thousands of acres of prairie land are now being VII Tn wheat having been broken in the spring in Neb. Kas. and the far west. They arc making country of those timber less,plains by pluck. perseverance and capital. But there is no necessity of the people of this region going there when you can get all the government, State and railroad lands yuu waht right along the line o.your own railroad.
 There have been such great and sweeping changes in the U. s. land laws lately all looking to making it easier to obtain the public lands that the principal question now to consider is where to find them.
 One change in the law made March 3d provides tliat you can homestead 160 acres inside as we'll as outside of railroad limits, anohter made q year or two ago throws open all the lands in Arkansas and other south ern states to purchase without limit as to quantity or residehce. The state lias her tax title lands for sale and donation but it must be under stood that they arc taken with the condition of law suit if they are worth enough to justify litigation on the part Of those failing to pay taxes.
 The Little Rock & Fort Smith Railway lands are to be had at req sonablc rates and on long time, and they arc in some respects more available than any other
 They are usually to be had in the vicinity of railroad towns not only be cause the grant lies along the rail road but because the best govern ment lands arc usually taken at an early day and when 8 man wants to find good piece ef such U. s. land he has to go back into region he does not desire. But the rail road lands can be found near the stations and the difference in price IS made up by the location Another thing is that few not actual farmers can comply with the requirements of homestead law requiring five years actual residence, while many merchants. mechanics and others might purchase tract of railroad land and improve and pay for as they get able.
 The fact is the great grant of the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railway Company is inducing immigration from all parts of the country and Flu rope and deservedly so for there arc few places in the United States where better and cheaper lands can be had than right along the line of you own road.
 If ,the writer knows anything about the needs of your country and the whole state of Arkansas it is more people to reduce the forests to fields and build up the material re sources of the State.
 The political situation is well enough, taxation is light enough, not more than one CT one and quar ter per cent. on the assessed valua ton ofproperty-when paid in scrips figured down to 8 cash basis, and under the law each tract of land must be assessed at it's true value in money. As compared with other States the taxation of Arkansas is light, and the prices of the products of the soil is good as compared with other states. Suppose We had to pro duce corn at twelve and fifteen cents per bushel as they do in western Kansas and Nebraska.
 As for the climate people get slck here sometimes, and die too, and the writer has traYeled once around this planet and has never found a place where they do not sicken and die al- so.
 Let people live soberly, righteous ly and temperately and ifthese high lands of Arkansas are not capable of them happy homes they will have to look to she land of the here after to find them.