The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-26
A STORY OF PROGRESS.

Western Settlement Without Parallel
in the History of Civilization.
The report of the Secretary of the In
terror shows that since the passage of the
homestead law there have been nearly
1863, QUO, 600 acres of public lands entered by
settlers, and over 1856 600, 600 acres have
been acquired under other laws. That is
to say, the area of settlement and cultiva-
ton has been enlarged within the lifetime
OF the present population of the country
to the extent of 49S, 000 900 acres. These
figures tell story that is without paral-
lei In the history of civilization, and one
that can hardly be comprehended without
the aid of the imagination.
They are equivalent to an increase OF
8, Ill $50 farms of 160 acres each, or twice
that number of the average size of such
estates in the localities where most of the
entries and purchases have been made.
This means a corresponding multiplica-
ton of the homes OF the people. with all
of the attendant gains OF comfort and
happiness. Never before in like period
since the beginning of time has so much
been accomplished in the way of ma
terial development and the extension of
the means and opportunities of prosper
ity. The record includes, OF course, not
merely widening of the domain of agri-
culture, but the forming of new States,
the construction of railroads. the building
of churches and schooIhouses and the
general advancement of the interests of
humanity.
There are yet about 600 900, 900 acres of
public lands, not including Indian and
military reservations, estimated at &c.
$50, 900 acres, and the district of Alaska,
but the most of this residue is considered
worthless for civilization. 1t may be said
IT, erefore, that the end of this process of
development has practically been reached.
There is no longer any frontier with
tempting possibilities for home-seekers.
The old song, Uncle Sam is rich enough
to give US all farm, has ceased to be
true, $50 far as vacant territory IS con-
cerned. There is still West, but it is
now only geographical expression, and
does not signify what it formerly did to
people anxious TO better their condition
through the toll and privation of pioneer
life.
In the course of events the remaining
Indian reservations will be opened to
settlement, undoubtedly, and there is
reason to expect that the large stretches
of arid lands will ultimately be made till
able by some system of irrigation, but the
general fact at present is that compare
tivev little chance is left for securing
homes from the Government. 1t will
never be possible to duplicate the scheme
of bene6cence and progress that has en-
apled so many industrious and deserving
citizens to become landowners. The situa-
ton has been permanently changed and
a new era has dawned, with different con-
ditions and tendencies.
We may we'll give serious thought to the
importance of the work of development
thai is thus brought to stop by the ex-
haustion OF material, SO to speak. 1t i'm
plies great deal more than q wonderful
increase of individual warfare. The eff
fects which it has produced are not con-
fined to the classes or localities immedi-
ately concerned. 1t has brought radical
changes TO pass for the whole country
and for all elements and interests. In a
sense it has compelled readjustment of
business methods and appliances from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, and even be-
yond the oceans to some extent. Its
abundant products constitute a potential
factor in the m arkets of the entire world,
the influence of its energy and its enter
prise is felt everywhere in financial and
commercial operations.
Moreover, it has invaded the politics of
the country, raising new issues and intro
ducing new sources of inspiration; and it
has not failed at the same time 10 make a
decided impression upon the social affairs
of the Nation. 1t stands for great en-
pire that has been evolved out of the grass
and silence of the public lands since the
close OF the Civil War. No other force of
equal strength and significance has ever
been added to our facilities OF achieve
ment. 1t is to be regarded with pride and
exultation by the people of all sections
and all parties, and surely in the future it
will be worth still more to us than it has
been in the past.-St. Louis Globe-Demo-
oraf