The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-02-27
need OF CHANGE IN
HOMESTEAD LAWS

Williston, N. D., Feb. 27.-Great in
terest IN the proposed amendments of
the homestead laws is manifested bv
the residents Of western North Da-
kota' Many letters and petitions have
neen sent to Washington representa-
yves asking them to use their inflD-
ence IN securing a modification of +bs
homestead requirements. The stand l.
taken that the present law reuuirino
IlVe years actual residence is defect
ing the stream Of new settlers to Can.
ada where the residence period neces-
sary is but three years.
1t is presumed that the passage of
the law requiring five years. residence
was due to the lack of knowledge ON
the part of the majority of the law
makers at Washington as to the ar
tual conditions of the majority of the
homesteaders and the hardsnins 70
"hlch they are subjected. To the
greater number of the representatives
IN both houses, it undoubtedly appear
ed that for the government to give
away a quarter-section of land for the
mere filing fees, or in the case of com
mutation proof, $1.25 per acre, was a
most liberal inducement to prosnectiva
settlers. However, people who have
made f~ve-year proof even under the
older and more liberal laws. are am.
phatic in their assertion that anvone
who has lived five years on a govern
ment claim has paid a liberal price
for the land.
another argument in favor Of the
shorter period for making proof is:
The person who takes up a 15O-aora
government claim with the ideo Of
making 1ve-year proof (the shortest
time possible under the present law
must be prepared to put in Ave wears
OF actual residence on the land, and In
order to do this he must have capital
enough to erect necessary buildings
and begin farming operations on u
rather extensive scale. He must eth
er have horses and machinery. seed
grain and feed, or the money with
which to buy them, and in addition he
must have the means to feed and
clothe himself and family until a crop
is harvested.
This means that a considerable
amount of capital should be possessed
by anyone who expects to make a
success of demonstrating under pres
ent laws. Hence the man with little
means must either forego mis- home
stead right OF else assume heavy obli-
cations to money lenders. hanks. mer-
Grants, etc, and the final outcome Of
this is that the homestead is n1ortgag-
ed, at the time proof is made, for all
1T will carry, and as interest rates are
very high, taxes-as in any new coun-
try-are high; help, machinery and
generally expenses are considerably
above those of older settled commune
ties. The result is the homesteader-
farmer finds himself unable to meet
his obligations, and the mortgage is
foreclosed for a mere p~ittance, and the
farm. with It's improvements, reverts
to the capitalist and thus defeats the
very object for which the hve-year
law was created, as the drafters of the
cas- had in mind a law by means
of which title to a larger percentage Of
the land would remain in the farmers
who cultivate ii.
The prospective homesteader sees at
q glance that the comparative merits
OF the American and Canadian home
stead laws are far more favorable to
his interests In the latter country.
Senator Hanna's bill TO amend the
homestead law to three years. resi-
dence ~ most ~favorably regarded BY
citizens OF this commonwealth and its
passage is earnestly hoped for.
49, AAI MGAEs