Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-03-26
WAVERLAND.
BY MARIE SARAH BRIGHAM.

81 will grant that, SIR" said Sir Wren.
but one must remember that what rights
they now enjoy they have had to struggle
hard to obtain. And we cannot blame
them for longing for more liberty. They
only ask that their laws may be made by
their own people, and that their interests
may be protected by laws of their own
making"
Gould we grant them so much without
making our landed interest void?' asked
the NJ. P.
Eyes sir, 1 think we could" replied Sir
Wren. But believe the transfer of our
land titles should be through the govern
nent, and, that the owners of lands in
reland should be compensated for their
iands by bonds bearing interest issued by
the government"
Would you be willing to part with your
lands on these conditions?" asked the NJ. P.
II would. believe every evil that now
rests on Ireland or any other country
where land monopoly Is allowed, grows
out of the false system of the lands being
! held by the few and worked by the many"
said Sir Wren warmly.
But, Sir Wren,' l said, eff the English
government held the lands of England and
Ireland as carelessly as the American gov
eminent holds the lands entrusted to it
for future generations, in few years the
lands would all be held by a small minor
ity."
''That is true" said Lord Sanders, as he
| Joined the group. 81 own nearly one hun
| dred thousand acres in Illinois and about
as much more in Kansas and Nebraska.
And not an acre but will yield me ten
| times the amount it has cost me, in less
than five years. And cal secure tenants
on better terms there than in Ireland"
"Then America will soon feel the same
appalling misery and hear the same help
| less cries that affiict and curse Ireland to-
day!" said Sir Wren.
Even now she feels that" I said, re-
Numbering my visit. "In the districts
where tenants occupy the lands, you see
the same Wretched novels and signs Of des-
| titutiCn that we see in Irelandn'
"Well it brings us fine income" said
| Lord Sanders, putting his hands into his
| pockets with a satisfied air. Il can live in
| luxury and ease and my family can hold a
! high position in the world while these
! proud Americans are glad to sweat for the
gold 1 spend"'
But how many families are bound I'M
|
! starvation to provide you with the means
! for all your pleasures?" said Sir Wren.
81 don't know" said Lord Sanders in
differently. ''They do well enough. They
only pay me rents for my lands.''
''To think" said Colonel Haynes, who
Joined the group in time to hear Lord San
der's last remark, "that any American
citizen must pay tribute to foreigner for
the privilege of living on American soil!
1t would be a queer sight for our State
militia to be called upon, as her majesty's
troops are in Ireland, to evict an American
citizen from his home, because he cannot
pay his foreign landlord the rack-rent de-
manded. Why, we boast that we are free
| from paying tribute money to foreign ma
tions, especially to Britons. l thought
that our war of independence meant some
thingr'
''WeI [ am glad to hear that America is
following in our tracks," said the NJ. p.
'They will soon feel the annoyanoes we
are laboring under, from the false system
that was established years ago; if it is a
| false system"
"Glad! no! l would rather sound the
note of warning SO long and loud that
every free American citizen would rouse
up with the independent energy Of their
forefathers and crush out this foreign ele-
ment which only holds her lands as means
! to obtain tribute money. No bloody war
can make her suffer more than this cruel
Land monopoly will, in time" said Sir
, Wren with solemn earnestness.
20, well, sir" said Lord Sanders, "they
! are not SO sensitive as you are. They are
glad to sell US lands; it brings our money
into the hands Of their land agents. And
as long as we can hold the titles and make
| our own terms with the tenants, our in
J come is sure"
| "But they may not always be so quiet"
said Colonel Haynes. "f our people be-
gin to realize the danger of allowing for
eignerS to obtain such immense tracts Of
lands they may soon find remedy, and
those wealthy landlords may have to seek
/ some other source of revenue. 1t seems
that for years the General Land Office, at
/ " i4l5...ingtOn, has been the most corrupt
| department that ever existed in any gov
eminent on the face of the globe. The
| choicest locations have been secured to
alien landlords, who will not sell, and on
| ly hold them to introduce into America
| the feudal system that Expresses the poor
| tenantry in Europe. Rentals are placed
at two or three dollars per acre and the
tenants are compelled to pay the taxes on
lands they occupy, besides. When will
| our people awake to the dangers? Con-
gress should make some laws curtailing
| these frauds and restore the lands to the
| people who have just claims on the gov
eminent for protection against these I'M
/ principled land thieves"
Glow would you dispose of the lands
| we now hold?" asked Lord Sanders.
PAY you what they have cost you and
no morer' said Colonel Haynes. eve ex-
tend to aliens the same rights and privi-
leges of free born American by his be-
coming bona tide citizen. Our people
will not quietly submit to being robbed of
their inheritance by alien capitalists and
enemies to our institutions! Our lands are
to be preserved for the use and benefit of
American citizens only, if we wish to re-
tain our present system of free govern
ment."
The amusement of the evening ended
and the company gradually gathered
round the party that had been having such
an earnest and interesting discussion. 1t
was signal for adjournment which
proved effectual.
The last reception was given at Ravens
Park. There, Lady Waverland, or Stella,
as love to call her, assisted by the Ouch
ess of Melvorne received the guests at the
grand old mansion with quiet dignity.
Colonel Haynes had established himself
as Anuie's companion at all these enter
tainments. She seemed well pleased with
his society.
Notwithstanding the pleasure we en-
joyed, longed for the quiet of Waverland,
where 1 could have the luxury of a hap