The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-10
TENANTS IN AMERICA.
The Curse Of LandloFdism Root
ing in New Soil.
TITLED ALIENS suY FARMS
nrittaA Arassseraas wAe Msrs - Kx.es
TrsAsts Froa ne Teller. of ~ New
wsrsa Nay he Dss.preinssA.

WAsHlxerox Crrr. June q Representa-
tive Oates. from the committee on Judi
ciary. today reported to the House the aiil
dehasring aiaons from acquiring title or
owning land within the United States. An
elaborate report accompanied the bill In
i the committee says il Is in the power OF
the government 10 totally exclude aliens
from coming within its jurisdiction. as has
been done IN the case OF Chinese No one
questions that this sovereign power GER
tainly includes the lesser one of defining
what property rights they may exercise
after they are admitted and during the
continuance Of their alien condition. The
report continues.
Yoar committee has ascertasned with reason
abe eertainty thar certain nohlemxu Of Europe.
principally Englixhmen. have acquired snd
nov own in the aggregate about q. nop.0o acres
Of iaad within the United States. We have not
suficssnf information to Stale the quAntisy
ownsd By untitled aliens nor Is il 10 impor-
tant. q it b generally held In smnll<s bedsex
This slsen nonresident ownership win. In the
course Of time. lead 10 ~ stem Of iaudiosdism
tncompatdble with the best inteseets and free in
stifuttons of the United states The foundation
OF such . system 10 being laid broadly In the
Western states and territories The asarfce and
enterprise Of European capitalists have caused
them to invest many millions IN American rail-
road and Land bonds, covering perhaps lQ0. eusuoo
acres. quarter part OF which under foreclosure
SALES win most likely before many years become
the property Of these foreign bcndhpldefss IN
add ION 10 their present princeiy possessions
This aggressive foreign policy 10 not con-
fined 10 lands il has purchased but u oyerieap-
ing It's boundaries and has caused hundreds Of
miles OF the public domain TO be fenced mp for
the axsng Of vast herds Of Cattle and has set 81
defiance the rights Of the honest ba: humble
SETTLER.
The bill proposes to place these aliens under
disabilities Of ~ civil laws = to al future n
tempss to ecquirc landa In this country. In other
words, the bill Ii : declaration against absentee
landiordism. II desires al foreign born persons
who have not been naturAsized incapable Of
taking tito to lands anywhere within the
United States. except lease-hold for not ex-
ceesiing zye years. II has no retroactive. bat
prospective operation. II also contains = pro-
vision which will compel allen landowners 70
cease 70 be ssch or TO become citizens Of the
United States within ten years.
The bill, the report says. would prevent
any more abuses such as that Of = Mr..
Scuiiy, who resides in England and Il
subject Of the queen, but owns 10 600 acres
occupied by tenants. mostly ignorant for
eigners, from whom he receives Is rent
$4,000 yearly and expends IL in Europe.
The Scheuley estate Of about 900 acres.
within the city limits Of Pittsburg and
Allegheny. from the rents Of which the
Scheulsys. who are subjects Of the British
queen. draw annually not less than $780,
000, il another iretance Of landiordism IN
America The tenth census shows that
the United States had $4,000 tsnant farm
ers. the largest number possessed BY any
nation In The world. In conclusion The 70
port says:
With thc natural increase ia the people and
the foreigner who fioek to our shores annually
and b. competition are reducing the wages Of
laoor and making the battle harder for our ewn
people. there Is problem for American states
men % sstve. The multiplication Of owners Of
the soil h . corresponding enlargement Of the
number Of patriots. aud every landowner in
this country should owe allegiance 70 the United
states.