The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-30
PERSLZADLVG .SVTEDKS
TO STAY At HOME
Legislation Seden Designed to Help the Worthy Young Man
to Establish HIS OOn Home int the Fatherzand-Efortto
Break Up the Large Entaaed Estates-Chmrch
and People Are Drifting Apart.
BY olof z Cervin.

Westerns, Sweden, June 27.-Even
che rushing tourist will notice If he
only makes a short side trip awheel or
in. carriage, that, this country is en-
numbered with many large estates
with small dependencies Some of
these are entailed and must pass from
father to Oldest son undiminished. The
small farmer is not conspicuous. That
this uneven distribution is not bless
ing Is very evident, and the government
has taken steps to help matters. For
years there has been much agitation
to cut up the large tracts and enable
individuals to buy small holdings. At
it's last session the riksdag passed some
measures similar to the great under
taking of Great Britain to restore to
the people the land in Ireland.
Thus, if man anywhere from rs to
30 years old desires to own little
home with few acres, but cannot
possibly buy or borrow, the government
will lend him not to exceed 5000
crowns, or nearly 81 200, to help him In
his efforts, and charge him only SO
per cent interest on certain conditions.
In the first place he must be citi-
zen without any blemish before the
law. He must be man who makes his
living principally with the labor Of
his hands. He must be sober and have
a good name, and must provide por-
tion Of the purchase money himself.
The governme emit win lend him not more
than fve-sixths of the value Of the
property as determined by board in
session, but, curiously enough, not less
than half. The payments are so adj
iusted that interest and capital shall
be paid off in thirty years. These are
arranged 80 as to be easier in the
earlier years and heavier toward the
close. No doubt the authorities have
assumed that the young man needs all
he can spare to rear his children and
that the start will be most difficult.
This is unquestionably q sensible con.
sideration. For if the young man be
saving he can place his surplus in say
ings banks and there receive consid
erably more than he could by paying
off the mortgage. Then, too, it forms
little nestegg in case of sickness OF
accident, Immediately available.
This measure is, moreover, partly ar
outcome Of the efforts to hinder emf
grafton, and make it desirable for PEG
pie to remain. 1t is, indeed, not bit
too soon something was done. 1t is 8
common complaint turnout the country
side that there is lack of help tc
perform the necessary work. Much has
been said and written but hardly any
thing more sensible done than this
Only it is not enough. The subdivision
of estates, especially those in entail
should be compulsory, and the small
farmer should once more be allowed tt
feel that independence without which
a country is in bad way
1t is evident, too, that the people
appreciate this. In one instance that
I know of the buyer had saved W
enough to pay off the entire amount il
cash. Fortunately the desire to liv.
on bit of ground that belongs t.
oneself and family is strong one
OF course, no one expects as great re
suits here as are confidently looked TO
in Ireland. The robbery of land il
olden times and the misrepresentation o
fields and pastures for mere dee
parks and pleasure grounds has no
been so fragrant here.