Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-10-22
KINEAID ACT HELPS STATE
Will Be Means Of Increasing Popula-
ton in Nebraska.
BRINGS CORPORATE OPPOSITION
Efforts of other COnEressmen to Take
Similar steps Have Been Bit
terly Fought All Along
the Line.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Oct. H.-CSpeciaD
There is no test OF a mans ability in any
department of public life more severe than
service in the house of representatives;
there Is no place where so little difference
is paid to reputation previously acquired
or to eminence won outside; no place where
so lHtrs tcEfsiders I. in is shown for the feol-
ings or failure OF beginners. What
man gains in the house he gains by sheer
force Of his own character If he loses
and falls back. he must expect no mercy,
and will receive no sympathy. 1t is a
field in which the survival of the strogest
is the recognized rule. and where no pre-
tense can survive and no glamor can mis-
lead The real man is discovered, his
worth is impartially weighed, his rank
is irrevocaby decided. 1t Is not the orator
who wins in congress, but the man. who
passes statewide or general legislation
through his own influence and ability.
When a member passes bill of this char
acter bearing his name he becomes recog-
nized national power. Such legislation
known as the Dingley act, the Mckinley
act the Wilson act, the Hepburn act the
Curtis act, the Kinkad act, and other
bills, have made the authors famous not
only at home, but throughout the country.
The Kinkald Act.
The greatest legislative achievement for
the state of Nebraska, which will be
pattern for general legislation in the near
future, in the one-section homestead law
known generally as the Kinkaid act. There
has never been a more important piece of
legislation passed in congress for Ne
braska since it's admission as a state 1t
is confidently estimated by the Washing
ton officials that the enactment of this
bill! will mean four-fold Increase of the
population of the Sixth district in the next
few years, and proportionately benefit the
vast stretch of country in the western half
OF the state.
When the Kinkad act was passed the
records showed more than 100000 acres
subject thereto, but more than 100000 ad-
ditionaI acres were unc overed. Not all
could get a 640-acre homestead so that
upon a fair estimate there will be from
1900 to 5000 homesteads taken, a good
thrce-fourths having already been occupied
under the law. As a direct result the
population has been increased 6OOO0 to T,-
900, with the prospects Of a direct increase
OF 10000 and an indirect additional increase
OF at least 10000. This increased popu-
lation. says Congressman Kinkaid, in
creascs business throughout the district
and has been materially felt by com
mercia interests in Omaha and Lincoln,
such as wholesale and other business.
An immigration agent of the Union Pa
cific railroad recently stated that Nebraska
had become the first dairy state in the
union, and in substance that the Kinkad
one-section act has been the greatest factor
in bringing that about.
Corporations Get Busy.
Strong effort was made the year after
the Kinkaid law was enacted to pass bills
providing for one-section homesteads for
the state Of South Dakota and Colorado,
but congress declined to give them favora-
BILE action because of powerful opposition
OF corporate and other sinister interests.
Another measure known as the one-half
section homestead bin which was made to
apply to all states and territories west of
Nebraska. excepting California. passed the
house. but failed in the senate. The failure
to enact land legislation in congress is
further evidence that Congressman Kin.
kaids efforts in behalf OF the homestead
law affecting exclusively the state Of Ne
braska was indeed master stroke
The combined interests Of the Big Sixth
district are far larger and more varied than
those in other Nebraska districts, eonse-
quently the work eneumbent upon its repre-
! sentative is more exacting and trying than
upon others. But Congressman Kinkaid
has been successful-unusuaIly successful
He showed his power 10 legislate IN the
national legislature when he passed the
one-seetion land bllL which met with sert-
Gus opposition from outside interests. II
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