Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-06-20
A Bill 10 Prohibit Foreigners from
Buying American Lands.

WASHINGTON, June 0.-Representa-
tives Oates from the committee on Judi
ciary has reported to the house bill
to prohibit aliens from acquiring title
to or owning lands within the United
States. An elaborate report accompa-
MED the bill. In it the committee says
the power Of the government to totally
exclude aliens from coming within its
jurisdiction, as has been done in the
case of the Chinese, no one questions.
This sovereign power certainly in
cludes the lesser one of defining what
property rights they may exercise after
they are admitted, and during the con-
committee has ascertained, says the
report, with reasonable certainty that
certain noblemen of Europe, principal
ly Englishmen, have acquired and own
in the aggregate about q 900, 600 acres
of land within the United States. We
have not sufficient information to state
the quantity owned by untitled aliens.
nor is it important, as 1t is generally
held in smaller bodies. This alien nom
resident ownership will, in the course
of time, lead to a system of landlord
ism incompatible with the best interests
and free institutions of the United
States. The foundation of such a sys-
tenn is being laid broadly in the western
states and territories.
The avarice and enterprise of Eu-
ropean capitalists, the report contin-
ues, have caused them to invest many
millions in American railroad and land
bonds, covering perhaps 1000, 900, 600
acres, the greater part OF which under
foreclosure sales will most likely be-
fore many years become the property
of these foreign bondholders, in addi-
ton to their present princely possess
sions. This aggressive foreign capital
is not confined to the lands it has pur-
chased but overlapping its bounda-
ries has caused hundreds of miles of
public domain to be fenced up for the
grazing of vast herds of cattle, and has
set at defiance the rights of humble,
but honest settlers"
The bill proposes to place these
aliens under disabilities of civil law as
to all future attempts to acquire lands
in this country.
lin other words" the report says.
''the bill is a declaration against alb
sentee landlordism. "
1t declares that all foreign born per-
sons who have not been naturalized are
incapable of taking title to lands any
where in the United States except for
lease holds for net exceeding five years.
The bill contains provision which
will compel alien land owners
to cease 20 be such or become
citizens of the United States within ten
years.
The BILL tie report says. "would
prevent any more abuses like that of Il
Mr.. Scully who resides in England and
is IA subject of Queen Victoria, but
owns 80, 600 acres in Illinois occupied
by tenants, mostly ignorant foreigners,
from whom he receives as rent 5000, =
900 year and expends it.
The Scully estate of about two
thousand acres within the city limits of
Pittsburg and Allegheny City, from the
rents of which the Scullys, who are
subjects of the British queen draw an
nually not less than 500, 600, is an
other instance of alien landlordism in
America. The tenth census showed
that the United States had $50, 900 ten
ant farmers, the largest number pos
sesscd by any nation in the world"
In conclusion the report says: The
natural increase in our people and the
foreigners who flock to our shores an
nually and who by competition are re-
ducing the wages of labor, is problem
for American statesmen to solve. Null
duplication of the owners of the soil is
II corresponding enlargement OF the
number of patriots, and every land
owner in this country should owe allie
glance to the United Statesn