Arizona weekly citizen., 1883-12-22
The Labor OneStion.

l i--'- Anoh4uS you 10 ui
 Tn sympathy with the working classes O
 the United States, venture to give yor
 my views m regard to the pending labol
 question, winch IS constantly being agi
 tated, aud to suggest the following prac
 teal method to assist iu the solution of
 the great problem: Having hvsd in the
 west during period of thirteen years have but a vague idea of the mlseries and pr1vatioDs to which the working classes are exposed in the east, except what learn from the newspapers; therefore beg you to overlook any mis- takes that may appear, and only con- sider the facts of the proposition that I would make.
 The government expends yearly mill ions of dollars in the maintenance of the Indian race and in the attempt to civil ize them. The question of how much or how little they are entitled to the sup port and assistance which they receive from our government will not discuss. They are not an alien race: have no kin dred relationship with us; and yet our humanltarlans are ever ready to protect, to defend, to help and to give. Every dollar expended becomes a total loss, without ever bringing any revenue, ex- cept m few isolated cases.
 By far the largest part of our working classes are composed of elements ever ready to improve their condition, pro- vlded an opportunity IS offered. It IS true our generous government has opened ways by which industry and per- severence many receive their reward. Our homestead and pre-emptiOn laws have made many happy homes, and yet, It seems to me, thet something might be done by congress which would facilitate the cultivation and settlement of the many million acres of land now lying idle in the west The way in which would propose 1t to be done would be beneficial to both the government and the people, and increased revenues would be the immediate result.
 Many industrious laborsrs have found 1t extremely difficult, or impossible to bridge over the first two years in their endoavors to establish home. The few dollars at hls command had to be ex- pended for necessary tools, wagon, horses, blows, etc, thus compelling him to go into debt, the primary cause of his subsequent failure, and disheartened, he HbandOns all idea toward founding 8 home.
 1T the government would enact law to provide an honest man, who enjoys l the respect of hls fellow-cItizens, with | the immediate necessiti es with which to l the cultivation of the land, 1 and thus make it possible for the poor est to avail themselves of the homestead | and pre-emption law, but few failures would occur.
 1T a settler could get in the shape of | loan (under certain provisional, pos | session of two good horses (mares | piow, q wagon | and material as are required for the cul- | tIvation of the soil, thousands would | avail themselves of the benefit, and in a lev years hence whole districts now spgrsely populated would be made pro- iUctive. and absorb the surplus labor of ou- cities. The tools and material SO furnished should be marked with U. ;. brand, and It should be penalty to sell, buy or dispose of such articles. The government could purchase the same at wholesale rates and furnish a farmer in good standing the articles upon applica- -iou, taking his receipt, and allow him rom two t1 four years ID which to pay .he government for the horses and ma .c-lal ihus furnished.
 The losses which the government vuuld sustain would be so very insignii- 3au, ID comparison with what he lu- crease Of revenues would be, in the shape of increase Of taxable property, To government, state and county, that -he amount would entirely disappear.
 OuT Indians receive, in addition to .his, D daily allowance of food and ,lothing, all of which IS a dead loss to government and people. If honest agents could be appointed to distribute equally aud honestly these benefits, and would after the lapse of two or four years enforce the payment (the govern neut having first secured itself Tn the shape Of a first mortgage) of the money iue, the result could not help being ben afcial 10 thousands of honest laborers, who with the assistance furnished, could look confidently towards future.
 Now, If my views are practicable. and [ believe ID the main they are, save per haps a few smaller changes which l leave to a more enlightened mind to de- wise, will not you champion this cause, SO important to the welfare and pros Derity of our territories. which must | eventually result in incalculable benefit to our whole nation, reduce pauperism in the large cities east, and keep thou sands from the paths of vice; which, individually not inherent, would have otherwise forced many into | the various channels leading to moral | and the sacrifice of every true that characterizes manhood?
 Respectfully yours,
 D R