Speech #430065310

The object was especially to keep the public domain there as homesteads for the poor. of whatever race. color. or condition in life. to prevent speculators from buying those lands for any purpose. It was then said in debate on the subject that it was especially desirable for the growth and prosperity of those States. and for the benefit of the poor people living there. that those lands should be reserved from general sale. that they should not be put into the market. that they shouhl be reserved thenceforth. until Congress saw fit to remove the restriction. as public domain for all settlers. to be taken as homesteads. It was said tat if that law should remain in force it would encourage in the course of years not only occupation of lomesteads by the colored and other poorpeople of those States. but would afford a strong inducement for immigration from the Old World. Congress in passing that law with that restriction had in view the encouragement of the growth and settletent of those States. Now will the gentleman tell this House whether that object has been so far accomplished that those lands may now be thrown open to purchasers and speculators. whether atll who desire ltoimesteadShave been epablnd to acqoire them. whether immigration has been attracted fiom the Old World for the sake of securing free homesteads. whether those States have already been settledby allof that classwho wilI come. al whether the rdservation made with that purposeis no longer necessary ? What is the object of thus chatnging a law which was claimed only two or three years ago to be so beneficial to those States themselves? This bill now proposes to open these lands for sale to speculators. to whoever will buy them.