When we are pointed. however. to the rich results coming from that homestead policy in building up the great Western States. we can not assume for a moment that the settlers on those lands which. by the mere fact of occupancy and use. increased so enormously in value. could not eventually have paid the United States the small price per acre. whether $1.25 or the double minimum price of $2.50 an acre. As a matter of fact. this was really done in many cases. There were a vast number of hardy immigrants who could not scrape together the money to buy a farm to start with. but who. under the conditions furnished by the United States. could pay for it when they had developed its resources. Under the provisions of an act of Congress settlers who wished might "commute" their entry. That is to say. instead of living five years on their lands they could secure a patent from the Government at any time before the expiration of that period on making proof of settlement and cultivation and paying the required price.
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immigrants