Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-12
4 STORY OF PROGRESS.
Western settlement without Parallel
In the History of Civilization.

| ST Louis Globc-bcmucrut.
The report OF the secretary OF the In.
terror shows that since the passage Of the
| homestead law there have been nearly 163.
| 100000 acres Of public land entered by Get
tiers, and over 335, ,OO0, 900 acres have been
acquired under other laws. That is to say,
the area of settlement and cultivation has
been enlarged within the lifetime of the
present population Of the country to the ex-
| tent of 49S 900 600 acres. These figures tell
story that is without a parallel in the his
tory of civilization, and one that can hardly
be comprehcnded without the aid OF the
imagination. They are equivalent to an in
crease OF 3lll,25O farms OF 160 acres each
or twice that number Of the average si2e
of such estates in the localities where most
of the entries and purchases have been
made This means corresponding multi
pltcatton Of the homes of the people, with all
of the attendant gains of comfort and happi-
ness Never before In a like period since
the beginning OF time has so much been ac.
complshed In the way of material develop
ment and the extension of the means and
opportunities OF prosperity. The record in
cludeS. OF course not merely a great widen
ing OF the domain of agriculture, but the
forming of new states the construction of
railroads the building of churches and
school houses, and the general advancement
of the interests of humanity
public lands, not including Indian and mill
iary reservations, estimated at 5000 600
acres and the district OF Alaska, but the
most OF this residue Is considered worthless
ioT civilization 1t may be said, therefore
That the end Of this process of DEVELOPMENT
has practically been reached There is no
longer any frontier with tempting posslbili-
ties for home-seekers. The old song Uncle
sam Is rich enough to give us all a farm"
mas ceased to be true far as vacant terri
NA1 &.
It is now only geographical expression and
docs 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 win be opened to settlement nm
lcubtedly, and there is reason to eyDact that
the large stretches of arid lands will ulti-
nately be made tillable by some system of
irrigation, but the general fact at present is
lhat comparatively little chance Is lett for
securing homes from the government II
"lli never be possible to duplicate the scheme
OF Denehcence and progress that has enabled
50 many industrious and deserving citizens tn
become landowners. The situation has been
permanently changed and a new era has
dawned, with different conditions and tend
enCiCs ~ '
we may well give serious thought to the
importance of the work of development that
Is thus brought to stop by the exhaustion
ot material, so to speak. 1t implies a great
''Ni tlle'N Il WO0uCliul increase of
individual welfare The effects which If
ha" produced are not confined to the classes
or localities Immediately concerned. 1t bae
brought radical changes to pass for the
whole country and for all clements and in
Ierests In sense, it has compelled a re-
adjustment of business methods and appli- |
2nces from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and
even beyond the oceans to some extent
its abundant products constitute a potential
laet1r IN the markets of the entire world |
the influence OF its energy and its enterprise
is telt everywhere in financial and CONNER
cial operations. Moreover, it has invaded |
inc politics Of the country, raising new is
sues and Introducing new sources of in |
spiration; and 1t has not failed at the same /
ime to make decided impression upon the |
social affairs of the nation 1t stands for a |
great empire that has been evolved out of !
the grass and silence of the public lands |
since the close of the civil war. No other
iorce OF equal strength and significance |
mas ever been added to our facilities OF |
achievement. 1t is to be regarded win !
pride and eXutation by the people of all |
sections and all parties, and surely in the |
future it will be worth still more to lie |
than it has been in the past.