Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1912-10-25
sosHoNE LINCOLN COUNTY IDAHO FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 1912


That Addison T Smith. Republican
nominee for Congress and O. v. Allen,
; Republican nominee for State Treasurer.
are making a very aggressive campaign
in north Idaho and are 50 enthaslng
! Republicans OF that part Of the state.
that party success is assured in every
northern country. is the advice received
al Republican State Headquarters
Smith is doing q very effective work
for both the national and state ticket
! Az Bonners Ferry, Thursday night. ne
4 and Allen addressed an immense crowd
and were warmly applauded by the Re
1 publicans who were In attendance from
] all sections OF Bonner County Smith
I contrasted the conditions prevailing
| under c1eyeland's administration with
I those nov existing pointed out the
/ benefits OF protective tariff and en-
| phasized the great Importance Of Fresi-
dent Tafr's reelection and the con-
tinnation Of prosperity and progress.
He declared that in all parts Of the
United States. IL Is now recognized that
the presidential contest is wholly be-
tween Taft and Wilson. and that Wilson
and his free trade policy is menanee
TO the continuation OF the prosperity
and progress of the country In speaking |
OF legislation particularly essential to
Idaho, Nr Smith said in part: II ad- |
vocate the enactment OF more liberal
land Laws so as 70 make il easier to get 1
title 10 ths public lands. Here are vast I
stretches OF unoccupied territory which 1
are not developed for the reason that I
the people are loath 10 go upon the /
public land because Of the stringent I
land laws. 1t is true that though the
Three ear Homestead Bsn introduced /
and pushed upon the statute books by
Senator Borah. great relief and en-
coura cement has been afforded 10 the
man who is endevoTing 10 make his
home upon the public domain. The same
Is true Of the Dry Farm Homestead {
Laws, but my friends. these land
laws are not as liberal as they
should be- There is no reason on earth.
in my opinion why the government
should be concerned as 10 where a man
lives what they are concerned about
is that whether or not the person
taking up land is showing good faith
in it's improvement. and It seems 70 me
that if he spends a reasonable amount
Of time on the land each year 10 bring
it under cultivation. that he should be
excused from residence. II Is not only
true with reference 10 the Dry Farm
Homestead Law but with reference to
the Three Year Homestead Law. /
would not require a homestesder 10 ike
on his land and establish his resi-
dence, but. until after he has made
his homestead habitable, it is absurd
in my opinion. 10 punish man by COM :
peiIing him to live upon the land where
he is deprived Of the opportunity in ,
many instances of earning any money. I
where he is made 10 freeze in winter .
and suffocate in summer. because Of the 2
lack Of water for domestic purposes ,
During the year 1891. was Register q
Of the United States Land Office al 4
Boise. Before I entered upon the duties I
Of that office. I thought that was q
pretty well posted in regard TO the land ,
avs. but upon observation. ! was as
founded. actually astounded. Al the =
lardships which those people were in
many instances compelled TO endure
II 10 run the risk Of having their claims
remember Of one instance
where woman cSme into the office Il
ne DAY and said that fl was impossible a
or her TO make living on the land. b
hat the nearest water was eight miles o.
way. that she had no money TO hire O
'eopie 70 deliver the water 10 her u
,ome that she could raise no crops p
Without water. and that she had no q
money with which 10 buy the necessi-
les of life Her appearance confirmed Il
ny belief that she was telling the truth.
or she was indeed very soTry looking III
pectacle she wanted leave Of al
hsence in order that she might get n
lto the city 10 earn some money 10 li'
-
possible To improve her place was dc
to tell her that, under the
wv. # she left her place that it would lii
e subject to contest. and the poor W
oman turned away sad and discon- AZ
plate. while the land officers were IN gi
bic 10 afford relief. on returning 10 m
Washington after my resignation, I 70
lled upon the Commissioner Of the
eneral Land office. and he expressed IS
IS great surprise that I had given re
p such fine position. but l told him Of
some o. the hardshins which had IN
,me pnder my notice. and that could Is
1t sleep at night. as ] felt in : way VI
sponsible for the enforcement Of the -
". and that could not endure seeing ca
ese people compelled TO suffer. being osi
orse of than il they were in the PEN fu'
party 10 the enforcement Of such
VS. From the day ! resigned my off bel
2 al the Land office until this time. tn
have been arguing in season and out 2et
season for more liberal land laws. ! an,
We talked with the officers Of tAe Nio
terror Department. with Ccngressmen an,
d Senators. urging them TO afford =
lief 50 that the West could be set
d up without the people being COM -
He'd tc endure sush hardshsps as
ate should / be elected 10 Congress. ~ -
shall continue my efforts 20 impress
on the members OF Congress and Sem - -.
,rs. the Importance Of afferding every
ssibie relief to the western people
10 are endeavorine TO build homes
on the public donsin." -,
Wit
rhe increased population II Idano II
shown hy the census 81 lsle en- wer
es il 10 two representatives, in con- IRE
- For the additional place the the