The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-03-05

| LIE ENilACSTlOS OF THE PUBLIC Dos
MAIN.-Wc think the facts stated in an ara
tic!e in the January (lsS6) number of the
NORTH american Reuic,c, entitled 'Laud>
lordlsm in America demand the grave and
careful consideration of all who have believ>
ed in the possibilities of better government
on this continent than any yet attained in
Europe.
1t will be matter of almost startling
surprise to most people, aad to many who
arc much better Informed than the average,
that out of 25.56O,OOO acres Of arabic
public lands, which could be cultivated
without irrigation or other artificial appli-
ances, possessed by the governmental in 1879,
not more than 100000, acres remain.
But this rapid absorption of tho land
would not be so serious matter-in fact,
would be a subject of congratulation had
the fertile regions SO rapidly taken up
passed into the hands of industrious farmers
in plots of 1G0 acres, as the government
originally intended. Unfortunately, this is
not the case.
1t seems almost that the gospel of greed
has taken fatal possession of the people of
this country. The tricks, subteTfuges, and
frauds by which laws intended to be bcne>
dcent have been wrested from their purpose
for instance, the timber culture, pre-
emption, and desert laws-aud made to
play into the hands Of unscrupulou sspecula-
ton the laxity of public administration,
tho careless aud unscrupulous legislation,
by which territory large enough for au em>
pire has been made over to irresponsible
corporations, form 4 chapter in American
history which will not shed halo of glory
upon our institutions in future ages and
all the more will this darkeu the page, since
we had the example Of Rome, England, and
Germany to warn, and that of France to
instruct US, both as to the danger of the
absorption of small holdings by land mon
opolists and the creation Of a class of tenant
farmers, and tho value to nation of rural
population Of actual owners of small farms.
The author of the article shows from the
census that five years ago the total number
ofperscns engaged in agriculture was 7,670,.
400, &c ~hi-. -e-iJ si''o4 ,aoe are registered
as the nominal owners of their holdings.
The rest are tenants paying rent to lands
lords, or agricultural laborers' 1t is we'll
known that til, next census will show a
large increase in the number of tenant
farmers. Contrast this with the status of
France, which, with population of 12,-
600, 900 less than that of the United
States, has 100000 rural proprietors
holding less than 20 acres apiece AMI
working their holdings with their own
hands, and 100000 proprietors of hold
iugs of more than 20 acres apiece. An
array of most important facts besides those
to which we have directed especial attention
are presented but the most un.American
feature Of the entire business is the obtain.
ing through indirect methods of large
tracts of lands by foreigners who do not
reside in the country, and some of whom do
not even pay taxes here, these lands being
ct out to tenants with all the pleasant fea-
lures of landlord,sm in England and Ire>
land.
One notable instance is cited-that of an
'lriShman who has earned an unpleasant
notoriety as landlord in his own country ,
This man owns over $4,000 acres of land
10000 acres being in one country, and de-
rives over 100000 cash rental from the
estate, which is sent to him to spend in
England, where he resides. The tenants
are required in their leases to pay the tax
es on the property occupied by them.
We cannot give space to further COM
ments upon the important and timely pub
lication of these facts and figures, which
show, however surprising the statement may
be that America possesses now the largest
class of tenant farmers of any existing ma
Scientific american.
|
NOT ENTIRELY ALONE IN HIS AFFLIc.
TIoN.-'Well well, Jonathan ! Is this reely
you! Never would O. knowed you Don'i
think I've seed you afore in ten years
'How's tho world sarved you, anyhow,
Jonathan?'
bad enough, bad enough replies Jona-
than, shaking his head sadly. 'Sence I
see you last, I've lost my wife an three
children had my leg broke, my house TUX
fire an burnt clean down, my Jarsey bull
died, the bank he'd my few savins in
busted, an last year got married again
I've he'd my full sheer of affliction, hev