The National tribune., 1895-10-31
A FAIR LAND.
Altitude, Atmosphere, and Climate All In
Favor of New Mexico Settling Place.

Altitude, Atmosphere, and Climate All In
Favor of New Mexico as IL Settling Place.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Some of
the boys have suggested that the National
Encampment advocate the making of a
National Soldiers Home of the abandoned
Fort Marcy, at Santa Fe, n. NJ.
| think most of the volunteers elsewhere
would Join in adopting the plan. 1t will
also receive approval from most of the vet
Grams of the old Army, many Of whom have
spent a portion of their military service
before or since at that post. / think many
an ex-Confederate and Mexican veteran
would applaud q movement that would
retain a quasi-military life to town that is
endeared to their recollections; and certain
ly those who favor retaining in public view
a spot so ancient in American history will
enthusiastically advocate such purpose.
As San Augustine, Fla, is now resort
for civilian invalids, why should not the
City of the Holy Fire be made a resting
place of the disabled veteran?
The heal.hfulness of New Mexico's atmos-
phere, the beauty of her clear, blue skies
and the restfulness of her climate, are too
well known for enc0mium.
There are several million acres of Govern
ment land in this Territory, half of which
is not only more arabic than the Cherokee
Strip, but more fertile than any other west
ern land. "Tickle New Mexico with hoe,
and she will laugh with a harvest" said a
former writer, and it is true.
Owing to our altitude, we can even sur
pass the Pacific coast in deciduous fruits
and berries; and in our sheltered position
in the table-land valleys of the Rockies we
are protected by the surrounding peaks
from severe storms, and our Winters are
mild and open.
Six crops of alfalfa can be grown each
year without manuring and with only one
blowing, though four is the usual thing the
cattle grazing outdoors on the Winter crops
And this is only specimen Of what can be
done with forage plants and cereals, which
can be sown as late as Nov. Is.
Not far from here lies q portion of ths
Atlantic & Pacific Railroad land grants
but, though forfeited by Congress in May
1886, it was held up by General Commits.
sioner Sparks until January, 1887, when
the tide of immigration setting toward the
Pacific States, the spectators who had theil
ewes upon it left it and looked elsewhere.
Besides, the Santa Fe Railroad Company
was not in favor of New Mexican immigra
ton, fearing some competing road might de
stroy its monopoly That is the reason why
it abandoned the line through the Ri,
Grande Valley, except for New Mexican bust
ness, and turned the balance of its New
Mexican line and the newly-secured Atlantic
| & Pacific Railroad into virtual tunnel o.
conduit for through traffic; also, combinin.
with the old political leaders, who "didn'
want any more Dutch and Irish in the Ter
ritory to interfere with our politics y; ant
| they looked after the rear and flank of thu
| Santa Fe system.
For information about land, etc, comrade
should write to Maj. T. w. Collin, Rator
Range; Past Department Commander Hon.
II. Dorsey, Mt Ration, or most any other com
rade.-S. II. BOGARDUs, Wallace, N. M.