The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-06-03
GEN. WEAVER on LANDGRABS.
How the Public Domain il Given
Away--POints for Workingmen.

How the Public Domain il Given
Away--POints for Workingmcn.
Congressman james 3. Weaver, oil
Iowa. who is Il member OF the labor
OF the house Of represen-
tatives, lectured ut the Grand Opera
House, Brooklyn, on the labor ques-
ton. Mr.. Weaver said it was with
pleasure that he appeared, to see Il
he could add anything tothe current
of healtfnl thought that is now en-
gaging the attention Of the Amcrl-
can people. Notwithstanding the
natural and inexhaustible wealth OF
the nation there seemed to be distrusf
and trouble on every hand. 1t was
impossible to tell what was the rem
edy till We first knew what was the
matter. We are a young nation
scarcely one hundred years old
while Germany and France are elev-
en- hundred years old. Yet as 9 ma
ton We have known. he said. far
more in our existence Of the riches
OH one hand and Of poverty on the
other than any other nation had
known in one tn ousand years. The
facilities existing here were five hun
drad times greater than those OF any
other nation.
One fundamental error that crept
into the foundation OF the govern
ment was that our forefathers forgot
their trustee-ship to posterity. Cal
ling a government republic does
not make it republic. It may be a
republic in name but monarchical
and aristocratic in experience. In 2
republic the tendency Df population
should be from the city to the cQun
try-to small farms and high culti-
walton. But the tendency is from
the country to the city andfor larger
farms and rosrer cultivation.
Mr. Weaver proceeded to depre-
cate the holding OF large estates by
non resident agents AMI by absent.
ees. He wanted business men and
labor unions, he said. to take up Tor
their battle cry the hymn, .Heme,
Sweet Home II we would main
tain a republic u home must be guar
anteed from which no man may pc
elected. The right OF every man to
portion of the soil was sacred.
Small farmers in Iowa and in other
northwestern states were sold out,
the speaker said. AMI the land was
going into the hands OF large land
owners. In Iowa one hundred thons-
and acres are held by British nobili-
,lV,. SSn
rect the evil, and that was by the
law, and the only way to make the
law IS by the ballot box. Something
is wanted in this country to make It
possible for poor man to get
home.
"Think OF 100000 acres being
given away to one corporation said
Mr.. Weaver; "giyen to the Northern
| Pacific railroad. The evils Of accu-
mutations OF large fortunes led to the
destruction OF the Roman empire
Look about you for remedy, you
patriotic and intelligent W orkingmen
It is America that has the leprOsy OF
labor now, which has afflicted Rome
Spain, Germany, England and Ire.
land"
A few days ago, the speaker con.
tinued, the land commissioner told
him the records Of the general LAND
Office showed that 4OO.OOO.0OO acres
OF land-e4ual to an area Of -four
times as large rs the state OF Indiani
was owned by railroad corpora
tons by wrongful certifications. The
usurers. he said. were taking pos
session Of the country. What more
sacred thing than the rights OF the
race could be TALKED Of on the Sab
bath day. Within the next twent,
years, at the present rate OF increas,
the population OF the country will b.
100, 100000. What preparation is be
ing made for these coming people
A fitful, momentary agitation vii
not be successful. The enemies o
labor knew that, and they based theil
hopes that orgaaized labor.will com
NIT crime. For then they knew tina
the strong arm Of the law would bs
against labor organizations Gnc
would crush them. He advised work
Iingmen TO organize, but to be temper
ate and law abi.ling, respectful o
the rights Of property and Of person
Their remedy is in the ballot box
They should also, he said, cultivat,
the business men, the shopmen. Take
them by the hand and reason will
them. As their business interests wer.
mutual, aud, securing such co-ope
ration, success would DO more readi
" accomplished. The overcharg
ing for transportation was also de
lnounced as a grievous source OF rob
| berry to which labor is subjected
Mr.. Weaver was frequently inter
rnpted by applause during the de
livery OF his discourse.-iN. Y. Her
aid.