The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-03-18

&1W6 DO6h E40CS O& 0AO ASSI~
without further comment, there
fore, we present the article as it was
furnished 30 us.
WHAT WILL THE PARK MEAN TO LAND
OWNERS?
Editor AsheUiLLe Citizen:-As an
owner of mountain land I was much
interested in your issue of the 18th
containing the following dispatch:
"WAsHINGToN, D. c., Feb. 10
Senator Pritchard has given out d
statement declaring that some per-
sons for political reasons have cir
culated a report that the Park bill
introduced by him will deprive the
small land owners of their homes.
He says the story is false and those
who have circulated it have not the
character or ability TO rise above the
plane of a political demagogue."
The demagogue, Cwho, by the way,
is invariably a politician of the other
party always pretends TO speak for
the 'plain people," the honest yeo
many, the ''small land owner" etc.
But we expect those whose oharac-
ter and ability have placed them on
a much higher plane TO spread their
sympathies and have as heart the
good of all. It is therefore to be re-
GREETED that Senator Pritohard, be-
ing moved by some demagogue to
touch on the Appalachian Park quea-
ton, did not go on, and make an ex
tended explanation of the legal effect
that his bill will have on all per
sons owning land within the Park,
whether their holdings be small, OF
large, or medium sized.
Certainly some full, clear, legal
authoritative explanation of this
Park project is much needed, and is
long overdue. It has never yet so
far as I am aware) been made. Here
is a proposition TO take two millions
of acres Representative Brownlow's
bill calls for four millions) from the
possession of the people and put
them into the hands of the govern
ment and yet a great number Of the
owners of the land out of which
this admirable public recreation
ground is TO be created, know little
or nothing about it and considering
the very meagre amount of practical
information that has been given the
public, this ignorance is not to 3e
wondered at.
I do not see why it should surprise
Senator Pritchard Or any n else
that "false reports" should be cir
cuIated when no one, who is as the
same time informed and candid, has
taken the trouble TO circulate accI-
rate and practical knowledge con
corning this matter. The friends Of
the Park cannot fairly complain if
the demagogue takes advantage of
the ignorance which is the natural
result of their silence.
Of course I do not mean to say
that a great deal has not been said
and written about the AppalachiaR
Park. What I mean is, that prac
tical, legal questions of interest to
those whose land is TO be purchased,
or condemned whose property is so
be taken with, or without their con-
sent, have been given nothing like
the publicity and discussion that
their vital Importance demands.
'fThe crowds of gentlemen who
write with ease" have taken their
fluent pens in hand and "done the
honors TO nature with the utmost
kindness and grace, evidently be-
lieving Gas De Quincy said of Words
worthy that no one had discovered
the fact that mountains were beautl-
full until they came along. We have
seen many just and picturesque ex-
pressions concerning the rhododend-
ron and the azalea and a number
of pure Altruists (who, by the way,
don't stand 30 lose a foot of land, or
a dollar of money by the passage of
the Park billy have had much TO say
about the good of the whole country,
of posterity, of those who r TO
come after us, etc. Is is very easy
to be broad minded and generous
and public spirited with other PEG
pies property, and a great deal
depends on the point of view and /
fancy that some of the jewellers in
cities, who r pushing this Park
project with so much unselfsh en-
4huaiaau MIGHT think difFarantIv of