The sun., 1881-01-30
A Contributor Corrected.

We print letter from Mr.. FRANK WILKE-
NoN OF Kansas, and with some OF its views
no most emphatically do not agree.
In regard to what is known as the Arid
Belt, tho longitudinal strip OF territory
crossing and including tho western part OF
Kansas, there is much conflicting testimony.
Tho justice OF tho term Arid, as implying
anitness for agriculture, is stoutly denied
by many farmers who have settled near the
ono hundredth meridian and west of that
1ine, as we'll as by all who are directly or
andirectly interested in filling up these
bands with an agricultural population. On
the other hand, the stock raisers, who are
sure to be driven of good grazing lands II
tho western counties OF Kansas are occupied
for farming assert that the soil is sterile,
ehe climate hostile, and the territory good
sor naught except the breeding OF cattle.
The strongly conflicting interests Of tho
stock raisers, now in possession OF tho Arid
Belt and of the agricultural settlers, who
arc gradually encroaching on the grazing
lands explain the contradictory statements
about the worth OF the soil. The two indus
tries cannot exist together in Western Kan
oas. The farmers must keep out or the cat
tle men must 60.
It Is natural that our esteemed contribu-
Cor, looking at the question with grazier's
syes and having at heart the interests OF
that vast and important industry, should
forcibly present whatever arguments there
may be for the repeal OF the Homestead
laws. These laws constitute the chief agency
now operating to the dctriment Of the stock
xAisers in Kansas and elsewhere.
All that Mr.. WILKEsoN has to offer in the
way OF facts and legitimate argument show
ing the effect of the Homestead laws on the
aAttle raising industry, is sure to be valuable
and interesting. The graziers ought to be
protected to tho utmost degree consistent
With the rights OF other citizens.
The prejudice against foreign immigra-
fion which Mr.. WILKEsoN acknowledges In
offensive language seems to us unworthy OF
Q man of sense such as he. His notions
on this subject are not only un-American
they are also long out Of date This nation
has passed far beyond the period OF its
growth when the jealousy OF strangers and
newcomers is factor in events. We cannot
AFFORD to relapse into Kuow-Nothingism The
talk about crowding native-born Americans
out OF their pntrimony by opening the public
lands on equal terms to citizens and to those
desiring to become citizens, is something to
be ashamed Of. Any attempt in 1881 to dis
credit an element in our population which
has done so much toward the development
n the West and the prosperity OF the East
bycalling them "poverty-stricken peasants
nj Europe" "penniless tramps," "foreigI
sramps," foreign pauDers," poverty
Stricken patricians who inhabit Irish bogs.
and so forth, is in our opinion absurd, and
unworthy of an intelligent American.
There has been unwisc and reckless squan
asring OF the public lands by tho Govern
mont But the sauandering has been in the
shape Of grants and subsidies to great cor
porations OF purely native origin not in tn
allotment Of small homesteads to indus
trlous and thrifty men, who come over tn
ocean to America as our fathers. grand
fathers, great-grandfnthers, or great-great
grandfathers cGme.