Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-23

in 1882 Petitions for and against 1t were raised, public sentiment was thor oughly reused. It was understood that without question it would cause an en- tire change in the settlement laws. Tn stead of the public lands being sold for cash, for profit, or being taken. first. under the preemption system, which eventuated into cash purchases. they would be given to actual settlers who would occupy, improve and cultivate them for term of years. and then re- ceive a patent free of acreage charges, with fees paid by the homesteader suffi- cient to cover cost of survey and trans fer of title"
 Everybody took sides. Political econ- omists pointed to the evils that had re- suited in the past in the purchase of large holdings-the usual result was the bankruptcy of the holder.
 "A bill to secure homesteads to act 1al settlers in the public domain" was before the house in 1859, but was voted down. In 1860. homestead bill passed both houses. but was vetoed by Presi- lent Buchanan; among the objections .ited were the following: That the government had no right to give away" such a magnificent gift as the public domain, that it would prove un- just in its operation among the actual settlers themselves. especially be unjust to those early ones that had paid SIPS tor their holdings; it would work in- Justice to the old soldiers who had re- ceived land warrants, reducing the mar ket value of their warrants: it was un- equal. confined to one class of people, the eultivator of the soil; unjust to the old- CT states; the bill would open one vast field of speculation.
 The bill failed. lacking the requisite two-thirds vote to pass it over the veto In 1861. another bill was introduced. and, after undergoing various vicissitudes in the two houses. was finally passed: and on May 20, 1862. Abraham Lincoln ap- proved and signed "an act to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the pub- lie domain"
 President Johnson. who was one of the original promoters of the homestead aet. said concerning 1t in his annual message of 1865: "The homestead pol icy was established only after long and earnest resistance. Experience proves Us wisdom The lands in the hanGs of industrious settlers. whose labor creates wealth and contributes to the public resources. are worth more to the United States than if they had been reserved as a solitude for future purchasers.
 The original homestead act has been amended a number Of times. an exten- sion of privileges being an important change. Tn 1872. the soldiers and sail prs homestead act made provision that honorably discharged soldiers and sail DTS from the army and navy of the United States might have the five years time required of the homesteader re- duced. the time O: actual residence for these citizens being put as low as ore year. Thomas Donaldson. in The Pub Iic Domain. Its History" says (writing Tn lSs3D the homestead act is now the approved and preferred method of ac- suiring titles to the public lands. It has stood the test of IS years. and was the outgrowth of a system extending through nearly s0 years. and now. with in a circle of hundred years since the United States acquired the first Of her public lands. the homestead act stands as the concentrated wisdom of legisla- sion for settlement of the public lands. IL protects the government. it fills the states with homes. it builds up commit mites and iesssns the chances of social and civil disorder. by giving ownership ,f the soil. in small tracts. to occupants thereon. IL was copied from no other nations system It was originally and distinctly American. and remains a monument to its crisinatOEs-
 CHRISTOPHER WEBSTER