The National tribune., 1889-02-07
A CRY1Na NEED oF REFoRM.


policy of the present Administration has
been its homestead policy. 1t has only been
less obnoxious because the number of peo-
pie who were distressed by its injustice was
smaller. Ia the homestead policy was the
same degrading estimate of the people whose
rights were trampled upon, the same asper-
sions of their character, the same reckless
denunciation of them as a class of unscru-
pulous robbers, public plunderers and per
jurers, which characterized the pension We
toes. There was the same resort to all man
ner of technicalities and pretexts to avoid
giving the homesteaders their rights
Never since the foundation of our Gov
ernment have settlers upon the public lands
been treated with such harsh injustice. Pre-
yious to this Administration they have been
regarded as most estimable class of people,
who should be encouraged and protected in
all proper ways. Their success meant the
development of the country, the erection OF
new and prosperous States, the rapid increase
of the National wealth and weil-beiBg.
But this nistration-properlyr repre-
scented in the General Land Office by Com
missioner Sparks, of unsavory memory
has treated the man who left the East to
build up home on the Western prairies as
a sort of brigand, who was to be curbed,
repressed and defeated, if possible, in his
Vaccinations against the country. Never
have so many obstacles been thrown in the
way of the honest settler striving to acquire
a little tract of land for a home for himself
and family Never have the laws enacted to
encourage and protect him in this praise
worthy ambition been construed so harshly
and so adversely to their real spirit and
intent.
It is very gratifying to know that Cen
Harrison is fully advised as to this condi-
tion of affairs. To delegation representing
| the homesteaders which visited him in In
dianapolis he said that he knew of the truth
of which they spoke; that he had investi-
gated the subject with care, and had visited
the Western pioneers in their sod-houses, ex-
aiming their condition for himself He
saw the necessity of radical Improvement in
the public land policy.
This reform must be made by the Secre-
tary of the Interior, whose subordinate the
Commissioner of the Land Office is. The
homesteaders- whom are tens of
| thousands of old soldiers scrutinize anx-
iously the possible appointees to this place.
He is the most important officer of the Gov
eminent, SO far as they are Immediately
concerned.
So far the manifestations from the class
Immediately interested, have been over
whelningly in favor of the selection OF
Hon. John NJ Thurston, of Nebraska, for the
head of the Interior Department. The peo-
pie of Nebraska, among whom is as large a
proportion of homesteaders as in any State
are unit in his favor. Both the Senators
and all the Congressman from the State, the
Republican Members of the Legislature, and
the State officials are solid for him. Kan
sas, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana
and Dakota are equally favorable TO him
and the present indications are that Iowa
will assume a like attitude. This makes
the homesteaders as body practically
united upon him.
So far as character and abilities go no man
in the country is better fitted for the place
He is the son of veteran. His father
deyotedly patriotic man-came back from
the field only to die at home before the wa
closed His sympathy with the veterans il
strong and deep. He has lived all his life il
the Far West, and is familiar with the public
land question in all its phases and with th
condition and rights of the homesteaders
He is heartily in unison with them. Hi
legal ability and personal character are o
the highest type. There is no ADLER lawye
in the whole country, and no man who's
career is freer from any faint We do no
say that he win be the best Secretary of tn
Interior that can be found. We only sa
= that no better one can be found.