The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1905-12-09

the filing Of his petition.
Fifth. Jurisdiction to naturalize aliens
to be confined to United States district
courts and to such state courts as have
jurisdiction in civil actions in which the
amount in controversy is unlimited; in
cities OF over 100000 inhabitants the
United States district courts to have ex-
elusive jurisdiction in the naturalization
of the alien residents Of such cities.
Public Land Laws.
Recommendations for changes in the pub
lie land laws are made. and in this connec-
ton the president says;
The creation of small irrigated
farms under the reclamation act is a
powerful offset to the tendency OF GER
tain other laws to foster or permit
monopoly Of the land. Under that act
the construction of great irrigation
works has been proceeding rapidly and
successfully, the lands reclaimed are
eagerly taken up. and the prospect
that the policy of national irrigation
viii accomplish all that was expected
of it is bright. The act should be ex-
tended to include the state Of Texas.
The reclamation act derives much
of its value from the fact that It tends
to secure the greatest possible num-
Der Of homes on the land. and to Gre
ate communities OF freeholders, in part
by settlement on public land, in part
by forcing the subdivision Of large
private holdings before they can get
water from government irrigation
works. The law requires that no right
TO the use of water for land in private
ownership shall be sold for a tract
exceeding $50 acres to any one land
owner, This provision has excited ac-
tive and powerful hostility, but the
success of the law itself depends on
the wise n firm enforcement of 1t.
We cannot afford to substitute tenants
for frceholders on the public domain.
The greater part of the remaining
public lands cannot be irrigated. They
are at present and will probably al
ways be of greater value for grazing
than for any other purpose. This fact
has led to the grazing homestead Of
$40 acres in Nebraska n to the pro-
posed extension of it to other states.
1t is argued that a family cannot be
supported on 100 acres Of arid grazing
land. This is obviously true; but
neither can a family be supported on
$40 acres Of much Of the land to which
1t is proposed to apply the grazing
homestead. To establish universally
any such arbitrary limit would be UNI
wise at the present time. 1t would
probably result on the one hand in
charging the holdings of some of the
great land owners. and on the other
in needless suffering and failure on
the part Of a very considerable pro-
portion OF the bona nde settlers who
give faith to the implied assurance OF
the government hat such an area is
sufficient. The best use Of the public
grazing lands requires the careful ex-
animation and classification Of these
lands In order to give each settler
land enough to support his family and
no more. While this work Is being
done, and until the lands are settled,
the government should take control OF
the open range, under reasonable reg
ulations suited to local needs, follow
ing the general policy already in sue
cessful operation on the forest re-
serves. 1t is probable that the present
grazing value Of the open public range
is scarcely more than half what II
ono was or what it might easily be
again under careful regulation.
The Immigration Question.
Several recommendations looking tc
changes in the present immigration law.
are made, and he suggests that United
States government agents pass upon lmmi-
grants before they leave their native shores
for this country. He also recommends suct
changes In the laws as would not work q
hardship on the educated Chinese coming
into or visiting this country, but wlthou.
letting down the bars to the Chinese cooi'
labor, and in this connection he says:
But in the effort 10 carry out the polio,
Of excluding Chinese laborers, Chiaes,
coolies, grave injustice and wrong hav,
been done by this nation to the people Of
China, and therefore ultimately to this ma,
ton Itself. Chinese students, business ant
professional men of all kinds-rot onl,
merchants, but bankers, doctors. manufac
turers, professors, travellers and The like
should be encouraged to come here att,
treated on precisely the same footing sha
we treat students, business men, travellers
and the like OF other nations. our law
and treaties should be framed. not so as L,
put these people in the excepted classes
but TO state that We VIII admit All Chinese
except Chinese Of the.tooiie class, Chimes.
skilled OF unskllled laborers. There woul,