Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-11-10
lerlie the surface of the same range of


country.
AS resort for capitalists Washington
is now second only TO New York. Here
they meet for consultation, and here
some of the greatest business entesprises
are organized. Operations embrace the
whole of our own country and extend
into Mexico and South America. This
is the centre of information and this in
formation is used for the best business
purposes. Enterprises are studied BY
the keenest intellects and investments
made on the "bed rock" Bogus schemes
find no favor outside OF limited circle
that indulges in Wall street speculations.
Lands, mines, railroads and manufac.
lures as objects for legitimate invest.
ment, are considered. Stocks, for the
mere purpose of buying and selling, sell.
dom receive notice from these eubstan.
tial men.
The report of operations for the land
Office for the year shows sone startling
figures that call for display of states
manship on the part of our lawmakers.
In round numbers the area of public
land disposed OF amounted to 100000
acres. Add the areas of 1881 and 1882,
and we have grand total of 100000
acres of the public domain sold to indi.
viduals or granted to corporations in the
period of three years. A great deal of
this land has passed into the hands Of
foreign capitalists who hold it for specu-
lation or for future occupancy by ten
ants. In either case an injury is done,
both to the present and future possessor
of the soil, who has essayed to make an
humble home under our laws. If held
for speculation, future purchasers of land
must pay more for it than they would if
ownership still remained with the gov
erument, and the government reaps no
benefit, as it is not in Strengthened cir
cunstances and obliged to sell. If held
for cultivation by tenants serssh peas
antry is created inimical to our free in.
stitutions and degrading to our lsboring
classes. Foreign landlords will draw
revenue from the labor OF resident peas
antry, and the condition of Ireland fas-
tened upon portions of this country as
far as existing circumstances can be
made to apply. Is it not time to call a
halt IN this wholesale disposal of onr
public landa to capitalists-eepecially
foreign capitalists? What have we left
of our domain for posterity? Where
are future generations to obtain cheap
lands for homes? Why should ws ofTel
men in Europe our lands for nothing, i!
they will only settle or
! them, when We nave
none in reserve for our children2 Hhj
not limit the privilege of homestsstt
and pre-emptlons to native born and
naturalized citizens and dsbar foreigner,
hereafter from acquiring title to the
public lands? Why encourage immigra
tion by offering free lands? Have w
not sufficient population for all the pur
peses of national strength and develop
ment? Do We not have healthy natu
raj increase? Postelity will need room
and why crowd it prematurely? These
are questions that must be definitely
answered in wise legislation or trouble
will be the portion of those hereafter il
the management of public affairs.
Hon. John G. New, assistant secretary
of the treasury, has suggested an issue
OF S5oO,0OO.0o0 three per cent. bonds t.
run for fifty years as basis for the ma
tional banking system and for the pur
pose of giving it permanence and Sc
ourity. Bonds now bearing four and foul
and q half per cent. interest could b.
converted into ffty-year threes wlthon
difficulty. A Recommendation like thi
would be pertinent IN the Forthcoming
report of Secretary Folger, but it i
doubtful If he makes any use OF MI
| News suggestion, Judge Folger
neither tinancier or politician, and i
out of place in his present position.
man of integrity and high character-o
great attainments as q jnrist-he ye
lacks the very qualities necessary in til
financial head Of the administration
Hls education and training have bee
judicial and ho lacks, IL consequenc,
executive ability. Mr. News Washing
ton friends are greatly pleased at til
reconsideration of his intention to re
sign. 1t is understood he remains i
Office at tie presidents request.
Commissioner of Pensions Dudley
wagipg an unrenlItting warfare on di
honest pension claim agents. 1t is 3
tonishing the tricks that have been r
sorted to for obtaining fees from CLAIM
ants. So widespread has this disreput
: ble business been that number of alto
]. neys have ceased soliciting this kind
| business They take what is voluntari
offered them and give it attention, b
, they make no offer in this direction |
advertisement or circular.
h Eighteen years sgo Mary Harris sh
e and killed a traasury CLERK named Br
S roughs for an alleged breach of promi
$ of marriage, She was tired before Jud
i Wylie of star route fame and acquitt
II of the charge of murder on the plea
r insanity. She was defended by jose
e Ii. Bradley, at present the Oldest me-
|. Der of the Washington bar, Hon d.
l. Voorhees, and others. Since her scqu
n tai Miss Harris has spent the great