The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-25
A Proposition for Granting Government As
sistance to Immigrants Seeking Homes
in the Farming Sections.
Obstacles Which Still Stand in the Way
Of an Early Adjournment.
Probability of the Two Houses Disagreeing
on Some of the Appropriation Bills
Hearty Reception of Mr.. Calkins.
THE PUBLIC lands.
A Plan for Transporting Immigrants to the
Great Farming Sections.
Snecial to the Tndiananois JournaI

A Plan for Transporting Immigrants to the
Great Farming Sections.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, June 24-It is possible, even
probable, that before Congress adjourns num-
Der, perhaps nearly all, of the land grant for
fixture bills will pass both houses. If they do,
there is no doubt about their enactment into
laws, as the President will certainly sign them
1t is unlikely that TIE railroad companies will
submit to the provisions of these bills without a
fight, and long legal contest over the right of
Congress to forfeit these millions of acres which
have been granted to aid the con-
struction of railroads will ensue, with
probable final adjudication of the legal
question involved by the Supreme Court of the
United States five or ten years hence. 1t is
probable that in the end the result will be the
restoration to the public domain of avast amount
of public land to be taken up by actual settlers
in the future.
1t has been noticed by those who have given
the subject attention that of the immigrants
who come to this country the Swedes and Nor
weigans generally go West, form colonies and
prosper; the Poles, with some other Europeans
hang around the cities trusting for their support
SAASAA SAASASN5 WIN 40
plenty they get along very well, but when
work Stacks they are the first to suffer. These
men might be willing, and probably are to take
up homesteads, if they could get to the territory
where the homestead lands exist; but the cost of
travel to the available lands is greater than their
means; consequently they remain in the cities
and become charges upon the public. 1t has
been suggested that it would be good policy for
the government to assist these emigrants to
reach the lands upon which they can make
homes and become valuable citizens. 1t is prob
ably too late now to take any steps during
the present session, but it is understood that
Mr.. Maybury, of Michigan, has under considera-
ton plan which he will submit in the form of
a bill, providing for the transportation of immi
grants, who declare their intention of bee oming
citizens, from their points of debarkation to the
States and Territories of the Northwest where
land is plentiful, together with an amendment
to the existing laws providing that a settler
taking up homestead shall have ten years
in which to make payments, and that
no cash shall be required until after
crop. 1t is believed that some such plan as
this would not only relieve the cities of the
country of thousands of paupers, but it would
lead to the settlement of the government land
by a class of hardy and willing men, who would
have an incentive to work that would certainly
lead to beneficial results Several months will
probably elapse before action is taken on the
matter by the House. during which ample op-
portunity will be afforded for discussion of the
scheme