The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1885-08-13
Homes for the Homeless, Lands for
the Landless. and Independ-
cnce for the Citizen.

Friend Mead, / regretted very
much not being able to meet you ut
Des Moincs at the State Convention.
1t always gives me pleasure to meet
the old veterans in the noblest fight
that true and patriotic men ever en-.
gagged in. For over fifty years /
have watched the gradual and sure
encroachments Of designing men on
the liberties and privileges OF the
citizen. My first introduction into
American politics was during the i'd
ministration of that pure and demo
cratic President Andrew jackson,
through his teachings / learned to
look upon Banks ne antagOnistic to
the true independence OF the citizens
in general and subject to the gravest
suspicious when clothed with Nation.
al authority. Another policy that was
considered as necessary to the full
development or the country was the
distribution Of the public lands. A
few artful designing politicians drew
up Homestead law and poor mans
exemption law, that were they hon
estly carried out would be precious
been to the average citizen, but In
stead Of being protection they have
only proved an artful snare to delude
the credulOus and cheat the average
voter out OF his vote. With over
half of the Homesteads covered with
mortgages and the poor mans ex-
cmpted goods in similar conditions,
what are such laws but mOckeries.
The Homestead should be held sac
red from all claims whatsoever. tax
es included. Its value should not
exceed $1,000, and it should be de-
clared a criminal offence for any
person to give, take, draw up or re-
cord a mortgage against the Home
stead. The Homestead should cover
not only a home and piece VI land.
but every village or city lot that's 4
poor mans home should be included.
| But tens OF thousands have no homes
then let the government grant to
every man or woman that elects to
take a Homestead on the public do.
| main 1GO acres OF land free. with free
| TRANSPORTATION to tie same, and Il
| small loan to enable them to s.art in
life. This will draw of the surplus
population from our cities and towns.
1t will DO more to aid morality in
closing up tho gambling dens, houses
or prostitution, drinking salo ons, etc.
that are fostering sores in our over
crowded popular centers. BY distri-
buting the population on farms MAX
ing each land owner an independent
citizen, YOU create Il ycOmanry that
can be depended on, for their rights
are common. The distribution OF
the public lands amongst the land.
less should be the rallying cry of the
Knights Of Labor and all similar
organizations. France has distli-
buted the land amongst the peasant.
~, Russia is following in the sHme
course; the land lords OF Ireland are
preparing for similar distribution,
but our Nation only, has the full
power through our National domain
to grant free homes to the citizens.
Let this be the grand mission OF ths
National Patty. Get the average
voter to fully understand its objects
and the old parties will pass away
like the dew before the morning sun
Wishing you success in your e'litori
al capacity, l remain rs ever tho
friend OF justice to all; speciai l'iivi.
icges to none. SAMUEL SISNErT.
1 Muscatinc Iowa.