The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-04

cheaper than court costs. The present
value of many of those dry quarters Chose
southwest Kansas may be better under
stood by a knowledge of the fact that
many smooth unincumbered quarters near
the adjoining foreclosed lands can be pur-
chased for $3.50 or even less. 1t is not nee
essary to assume that the Western settler
intended to defraud the Eastern money
lender, but it is true that in most cases on
nonirrigated lands he got the best of the
bargain. If the author of the Arena article
had been familiar with his subject he would
have known that many Eastern money
lenders are not getting 40 per cent. of their
investment, and nearly all would be de-
lighted to see a return OF principal and in
terest from their extreme Western invest
ments.
Among many foreclosures in one county
there was only one case where the defend
ant resided upon the land foreclosed. 1t
was a valuable tract, under irrigation, well
set in alfalfa, but the mOrtgageor spent
most of his sleepless hours upon the curb
stone talking Populistic financial doctrines
and let his alfalfa go to ruin. The Arena
article would blame the government for
foreclosure, when a careful investigation
| because he wants to sell, or because of his
Acknowledgement, extravaganza or waste; or
misfortune beyond his control. His fig
nres upon homeless people do not
s.snd the test of common sense.
to make it appear that 1913, o42 are landless
end homeless. while the 6.071 Unincumbered
land owners are the only people who have
homes. 1t is not right to say that the 5s,45S
families having mortgages upon their
homes are landless and homeless. Doubt
less the amounts of many of those mort
| cages are being annually diminished and
represent the means of independence and
future wealth of many Nebraska people.
1t is not right to say that the S2,291 renters
are homeless. If in their judgment they
would rather pay rent than interest they
should not be classed as homeless. The man
who pays rent is for the time being master
of the situation. He occupies his castle
as truly as a knight of old and may de-
fend against all ipfr1I0prS. Members of a
land owners family cannot rightfully. be
classed as homeless. The whole family has
rights and duties of the home. When the
head of the house passes away each has a
share. The homeless people of Nebraska
and the Nation are those unable to own
or rent-those who depend UPON charity or
dwell in almshouses. There are many towns
in the West where 1t is more economical
to pay rent than taxes. There are many
places where it is more profitable to rent
than to own farms. Let us be reasonable
in these things and not jump at conclu-
sions. The above remarks concerning low
priced lands are leveled more particularly
at the semi-arid portions of the. West where
irrigation has not been applied. When We
discuss the mortgages of a country it is
we'll to know facts and see what those
mortgages represent.
The writer's experience and personal obser-
walton have not been confined TO the semi
arid region of the West. but extends east OF
the father of waters. The condition of the
semi-arid region. and, in fact. the whole
been for PETER, Simpson & Co., who raised
their crazy howl against the government
and money lenders. The people Of south
western Kansas could and would have he
roically endured the droughts and climatic
hindrances OF the past four seasons had
not the intolerable burdens of Populisn
driven investors and money lenders from
our borders. That helped to bankrupt
cEpants? While general hard times have
been making eloquent appeals and con-
vincing object lessons against Democratic
incompetency and Populistic anarchy.
there are many localities where a compar
ison of the amount of the mortgage with
the assessed value of the land at the time
the mortgage was execute and the value
at the present time furnishes food for
thought Before me is a report for 1898 of
the mortgage indebtedness and property
valuation of the State of Minnesota. The
total farm debt was. in round numbers,
$29 900, coo. which was an increase in ten
years of only 81. LOCO, 900. But while farm
debts had increased $4,000, 600. the value of
farm machinery. live stock and land had
crease Of farm wealth of $172.o 00. 000. This
is but an illustration of the condition ex-
isting IN many places. Such debts have
been helps instead of h~indrances. They
show that in places wild land has been SET
tied. improved and transformed into happy
homes and thriving cities. These debts
show a faith in the country. "A faith in
which viii in most cases re-
ward the people for their self-denial and
risks in the present. Too many writer's on
these subjects have such a desire to de-
nounce governments or help their friends
into office that they distort facts. figures
and reason. ALVIN CAMPBELI.
Topeka. Kan. Sept. q.