The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-10-13
TO PLACE POOR IN WESTERN
HOMES

Chicago, Sept. 17.-One of tn,
r most important subjects before tn
United States today is placing tn
5 money-poor people in homes on tn,
land, according to the belief of Geo
E. Barstow, former president of thu
National Irrigation congress, which
holds its 10th meeting in Chicago
December 9Th to 9th. Mr.. Barstov
says:
My understanding, as discussed ir
my address before the National Irri.
cation congress that convened at Spo.
kane, is that the national govern.
ment has already passed law pro.
vidin,g for the establishment of bu-
yeau OF immigration, the purpose OF
(which is to aid in assisting the i'm
migrants coming to our shores to a
right understanding as to where they
can best locate upon lands for home
building. This bureau is also to work
in. conjunction with similar bureaus
created by the several states, the
better to accomplish that much to be
desired end. The importance of this
step is realized when we consider
that over rs per cent of all the people
coming from other countries to our
shores have been cultivating the soil
in their native lands.
But should not the national gov
eminent, if not the state, go step
further? A large percentage of i'm
migrants land at our great ports of
entry with insufficient money to en-
able them to push out west or to
the southwest: Shall l, who have al
ways been broadly conservative, be
regarded as preaching paternalism,
or as socialistic in my purpose when
suggesting that the duty of the ma
tional government may be found in
providing, under proper safeguard,
fund which may be used to make
loans of suitable amounts to enable
this thrifty and frugal class of people
to locate their bones under the gov
eminent irrigation plans?
docs the duty of the state lie in
the care of her INDECENT and needy?
Does her duty lie in the enlighten-
ment of her ignorant? Is her duty
found in the proper protection of her
people by creating such laws as to
protect her citizens In the pursuit of
life, liberty and happiness? Then,
inquire, does not the states duty lie
along the lines of making such whole
some provisions for that part of her
true. though money-poor people, as
to obtain homes on the land, thereby
creating a truer and nobler citizen
ship, and whereby we shall require
less almshouses and jails and pris-
ons?
81 believe this to be one of the
most important subject that can oc-
cupy the serious attention of the peo-
pie of the United States at large, and
TO their state legislatures and the
national congress at Washington.
Nov, as l have said, We have the
bureau, whose duty it is
to point out the land for the landless
man. But we should supply by ma
tional legislation the missing link in
his vital economic chain, by provid-
ing for these worthy immigrant farm
ers the money on reasonable time and
at low rate of interest, payment to
be secured upon their purchases of
the public domain, of irrigated or dry
lands, as the farmer may
prefer.
"To this end, ] advocate that the
government provide an immigration
and fund.- to be placed under the
care and direction of the secrtary of
he interior. That he shall, in con-
junction with the immigration bu- =,
eau, inaugurate such machinery as
S needful to select and determine
Is to frugal and worthy immigrant ,
Those farmers who shall ,
moose irrigated lands shall be placed
lnder the care of the reclamation
ervice, and those who desire to To-
ate on dry farms shall be under the >
are Of the secretary of agriculture, :
or arranging their settlement upon
he lands SO chosen. =
81 expect that some proper ar
angement could be made by our gov
rnment with the governments
broad so that those farmers who :
propose coming to the states could
ave their standing vizied by some .
roper officer In the country of their
ofivitu 10 n, ior 20 ton land -