The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-03-24
AEoREloN cResUs.
Startling Stories from Kansas and
Nebraska.

CHICAGO. March 19-About six weeks ago
the Tribune published an article on allen
landlordism," showing that an Irishman
named William Scully, now residing in Lon
don, England, is proprietor of between
1900 and 10000 acres of the best farming
lands in Illinois. The writer of the article,
on visiting the Scully estate, claimed that
the lands were titled by wretched class of
tenants, from whom were exacted enormous
rentals. Almost the entire proceeds from
the sale of the crops, he stated, went to pay
rent.
The article attracted much attention, and
numerous communications on the subject
have been received by the Tribune from
various parts of the country. Among Others
was one from prominent citizen Of Kansas,
strongly condemning the alien landlord,
and calling attention to the discovery that
large tracts of land in his. own State were
owned by scu etteT tine
was Instituted, the result OF which was pub
iished in Chicago this morning. The article
says:
A tour of Kansas and certain portions of
Nebraska has developed the ratnet slartilng w IN i,
formation that the title to more than 100000
acres of the choicest prairie land IN me states o
Kansas and Nebraska is vested III tne nanie n "
William Scully. All OF tneSe vast tiaOe2 hS.sS
been added to his landed estates within the laSl
five years, and although small porLo II tbs
cultivation the same system of farm renting lldt
exists in Illinois Is rapidly introduced ln these @
States Between sixty and seventy IalnlileS ,asv h
bound themselves to Scully, and so long as lhey
remain on his land they cannot throw on lne yohee e
that holds them in slavery. Before obtaining
lease they must agree to waive all rights 10 pIe-
emption, and until their rent is PAID everything
they possess including the growing ierops be-
longs to Scully. AS rule they are the peoIes.
farmers in every respect i'll the country, anu very
few can obtain credit from merchants. Inc lease
that binds them 10 Sculy Is virtually cnatteI
mortgage, and all other claims against tenants
are shut out until Scully gets his rent Eacn teh-
ant is obliged to sign a lease 1Or peIou VI
years. On unimproved lands the tenant pays on
ly the taxes the first two years. The thlru year
he pays the taxes and 81 an acre; III the f0ufth
and fifth years he pays the taxes and 81 oO an
acre. No provision is made In the lease for re-
newa and at its expiration the tenant must either
make off or submit to whatever rent the landlord
chooses to exact. In leasing an unimprOved farm
the tenant gets nothing but the land All I'M
provements are made at his own expense, the
landlord furnishing absolutely nothing. Conse-
queniy the Scully farms do not present an at
tractive appearance AS rule, the tenants have
no aspiration beyond the mere task Of keeping
improydent and make little or no effort to inn
prove their condition, all ambition seeming to be
exhausted in providing shanties for their families
to live and shelter for their stock. Having no
money to start on, most OF the tenants are COM
peled to hire out with their more prosperous
ieighbors during the first two years Of their
struggle and they are satisfied II during the nrSt
two years they succeed III breaking, WIG pralr,le
lands and raising enough corn to feed their stock
For the three remaining years they can raise from
80 to 80 bushels of corn to the acre, ana by close
economy quit the place when their lease expires,
well Of s. when yron sey eg rs per sc scre # IS
claimed that much OF the land is now worth at
least $50 per acre.