Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-03-20
A WESTERN LANDLORD.
Immense Domains Of Foreign CrGsus-
Startling Stories from Kansas and Ne.
braSka.


About six weeks ago the Chicago Tribune
published an article on "alen landlordism," )"
showing that an Irishman named William
Scully, now residing in London, England, 10
proprietor of between rs, 900 and 30, 900 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 landlords, and calling
attention to the discovery that large tracts of
land in his own State were owned by Scully.
Following the suggestion derived from this
letter. an investigation was Instituted, the re-
suit OF which was published in Chicago this
morning. The article says:
tour OF Kansas and certain portions of
Nebraska has developed the rather startling
information that the title to more than 100 900
acres Of the choicest prairie land in the States
of Kansas and Nebraska, is vested in the
name of William Scullv. All of these vast
tracts have been added to his londed estates
within the last five years, and although a
small portion is under cultivation the same
system of farm renting that exists in Illinois
is rapidly introduced in these States. Between
sixty and seventy families have bound them
selves to Scullv, and so long as they remain
on his land they cannot throw off the yoke
that holds them in slavery. Before obtain
ing lease they must agree to waive
all rights to pre-enption, and until their rent
is paid everything they possess, including the
growing crops belong to Scully. As q rule
they are the poorest farmers in every respect
in the country, and very few can obtain credit
from merchants. The lease that binds them
to Scully is virtually cbattel mortgage, and
all other claims against tenants are shut out
until Scully gets his rent. Each tenant is
Obliged to sign a lease for a period of five
years. On unimproved land the tenant only
pays the taxes the first two years. The third
year he pays the taxes and one dollar an acre
in the fourth and fifth years he pays the taxes
and one dollar and fifty cents an acre. No
provision in the lease for renewal and at its
expiration tine tenant must either make of or
submit to whatever rent the landlord chooses
to exact In leasing an unimproved farm
the tenant gets nothing but the land. All
Improvements are made at his own
expense, the landlord furnishing ab-
solutely nothing. Consequently the
Scully farms dc not present an attractive
appearance. AS rule the tenants have no
aspiration beyond the mere task of keeping
body and soul together. They are shiftless
and improvdent, and make little or no effort
to improve their condition, all ambition seem
ing to be exhausted in providing shanties for
their families to i've in, and shelter for their
stock. Having no money to start on, most
of the tenants are compelled to hire out with
their more prosperous neighbors during the
first two years of their struggle and they are
satisfied if during the first two years, they
succeed in breaking wild prairie lands and
raising enough corn to feed their stock. For
the remaining years they can raise from 80
to so bushels of corn to the acre, and by close
economy quit the place when their lease ex.
pires, as well of as they began. ScuIly Sc
cures the land at from SIS to 50 per acre, and
it is claimed that much of the land is now
worth at least $50 per acre.