The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
I.ands-woman Suffrage Association
The Postofice Department.

The Bill to Prohibit Aliens From Holding
I.ands-Woman Suffrage Association
The PostoEiee Department.
WASHINGTON, January 22.-Representa-
tive Oates. of the Committee on Public
Lands, prepared report on the bill to pro-
hibit aliens from acquiring or owning lands
within the United States, which the COM
mittee has reported to the House with the
recommendation that it pass. Mr.. Oates
says: Your committee ascertained with
reasonable certainty that certain noblemen
Of Europe, principally Englishmen, have
acquired and now own in the aggregate
about 21,0000O0 acres in the Southern
States. We have not sufficient information
TO state in quantity the entitled liens, nor is
It so important as it is generally held in
smaller bodies. This alien, nonresident
ownership will, in the course of time, lead
to a system of landlordism incompatible
with the best interests and free institutions
of the United States. The foundation for
such a system is being laid broadly in the
Western States and Territories The
policy of the Government heretofore to-
wards aliens has been characterized by great
liberality, and the different States, each act
ing for itself, have gone still further upon
the idea of deSirability of a rapid increase
of population and wealth, and by
legislation, have conferred upon aliens
rights far beyond those they enjoyed
by treaty stipulatiOnS, common law or the
law of nations. The bill herewith reported
purposes, as part of the foreign policy of
this country, to operate only prOspectively,
and, therefore, not harShly; to prevent alb
sOlutely citizens or subjects of other nations,
so long as they adhere to and retain their
allegiance to other powers, from acquiring
ownership of American soil within the juris-
diction of the United States We maintain
that American soil should be owned exclu-
sively by American citizens. Perhaps OBJ
lection may be made to the bill on the
ground that its tendency will be to drive
foreign capital from this country. If it
were, we are not quite sure any permanent
harm would result therefrom to anyone on
this continent. Mortgages and land bonds
held by aliens would not be materially i'm.
paired by the law proposed. They are
deeds of trust and can be fOrecloSed and
the lands sold in default of payment by the
alien holder as well as by citizen; neither
can, according to law, buy at his own sale
because of the conflict of interest with duty,
unless it is so stipulated in the contract;
and this being known. can have 10 other
effect upon future foreign investors in this
class of securities than 10 make them little
more careful and not to rely upon the pros.
pect Of ultimate ownership of the land mort
gagged"
TIE LADIES.
The National WOman's Suffrage Assocla-
ton helu its second secret session to-day,
Miss Anthony presiding. The following
officers were elected for the ensuing year:
President, Elizabeth Cady Stanton; Vice
Presidents, Susan b. Anthony, Matilda
Joslyn Gage, Phoebe w. COuzins, Rev.
Olympia Brown, Abigail Scott Dumway
and acting honorary Vice-Presidents from
each State and Territory. Reports and
letters were then read. presenting sugges-
tons as to the future work of the assOcia-
ton. Mrs. Stanton presided ut the after.
noon meeting, which was largely attended.
Letters and kilograms We're read from
friends wishing success to the
lationS on the marked advance of pub.
lie opinion i'll respect of wOman's SUI.
frage Speeches were made by Mrs. Sarah N.
Perkins, Mrs. Caroline Rogers and Ellen
Francis Burr. Resolutions were read and
discussed, particularly the one denouncing
the religious dOgmas teaching that woman
was an afterthOught in creation, her sex
misfortune, marriage condition of subOr.
dinatOn and maternity curse as contrary
to the law of God and the precepts OF
Christ, and inviting the cooperation OF
religious teachers in securing recognition of
the cardinal point of our creed that in true
religion there is neither male nor female,
neither bond nor free, but all are one"
The discussion of this resolution was long
and spirited, and without action it went
over for further argument tomorrow. AT
the evening session addresses were made by
Matilda Hindman, Rev. Olympia Brown and
Lille DevereuX Blake.
RATES OF POSTAGE.
Postmaster General Hutton sent the Chair.
man of the House Committee on POSt-Offices
and POst-rOadS the draft of bill providing
for the reduction of postage Oh secOnd-claSs
matter or newspapers mailed by publishers
from two cents to one cent per pound. It
is provided in the draft that this rate shall
not apply TO the circulation of sample
copies generally, although publisher may
twice year circulate sample copies not Ia
exceed in number the actual circulation of his
paper at the date of mailing. lie
recommended the passage of the bill in
trOduced last session by Senator Bowen. of
Colorado TO reduce postage on mail matter
If the secOnd-claSS from two cents to one
cent per pound, reiterating the opinion pre-
viouSly expressed in that behalf by Post,
master General Howe.