Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1890 — REPUBLICANS THROW DOWN [ARTICLE]

REPUBLICANS THROW DOWN

THE BARS TO FOREION LANDLORDS. ; 'X. T‘ s. ’-O X y '•-* The Ben. Green Smith Repeal* the Republican Alien Dead Dew. ■ read thsir record of falsehood. ■■ ■ . / We believe that the *oil of the United State* »hould be reserved for it* own citizen*, end *ueh a* may become eitizene 4 and favor eocb legislation by congres* and the etate legislature at will prevent alien* becoming tbe owner* of the land needed for homes for independent American farmer*. * * • And w* condemn th* eondnet of th. repre.entativc. oi the demoera tic party, both in congress and the legiiiatura of Indiana.— RtjnMican Platform. This is a pretty plank to be introduced in its platform by a party which has given away to aliens and corporations 196,000,000 acres of public lands in this country, and which, in 1881, when it had a majority in both branches of the legislature, elected Benjamin .Harrison to the U. 8. senate, and enacted the following law, which was approved Ijjr Gov. Porter April 16 ot that year. An act to authorise aliens to hold title* to real estate, oonvey the same. etc.: .< Seo. 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of the state of Indiana, that natural person*, who are alien*, whether they reside in the United State* or any foreign oountry, may aoquire, hold and enjoy real estate, and may oonvey, devise, mortgage or otherwise incumber the same in like manner, and with the «amo effeot as oiUzene of this state. Seo. 2. All law* or part* of law* in conflict with tho provision* of thi* act are hereby repealed. . .

Sec. 3. Whereas, an emergency exist* for th# immediate taking effect of thie act, therefore, it shall be in force from and after it* paaMgde v • ' . In 1884 the farmers of the state, having felt the burden put upon them by reason of the ownership of large tracts of land by aliens, demanded legislation restricting it. The Hon. Green Smith, who is now the democratic candidate for attorney-general, was a candidate for senator from his district that year, his republican opponent being Col. Wells, the agent of the Dundee (Scotland) land and insurance company. The fight between them was upon that issue, Mr. Smith taking the side of the fanner* and tbe other gentleman endeaying to convince the people it was eminently proper that aliens should be continued in their rights under the old republican law of 1881. Mr. Smith won tbe battle, and upon entering the senate promptly introduced tbe following as senate bill No. 3: Ah act concerning the ownership and alienation of real eatat* by alien*, and declaring an

emergency. , Section 1. Be it enaoted by the general as■embly of the state of Indiana, that all aliens residing in the state of Indiana, who shall have declared their intention to become citizensof the Unit*d State*, conformably to the law* thereof, may aequire and hold real estate in like manner a* oitizen* of this state. Sec. X All other alien* may take and hold land by devise and descent only, and may convey the tame at any time within five year* thereafter, and no longer, and all land so left and remaining uneonveyed' at the end of five yean »hall escheat to the state. ' * • ■ Sec. 3. Nothing heroin contained shall prevent the holder of any lien upon, or interest in, real estate heretofore aoquired, from taking a valid title to the real estate in which he has such interest, or upon which he has such lien. Seo. 4. An emergency exists for the .immediate taking effect of this act, therefore it shall be in foree from and aftjMjgts passagKs* f This bill wae bitterly fought by the republican Bide of the Lsenate, and by as persistent a lobby as ever disgraced the corridors of a capitol. It passed, however, and went to the house, where it was superseded by an amended bill, numbered house bill No. 13, introduced by Mr. I Robinson, an independent member. It passed that body by the entire republican vote, and the assistance of a few democrats, who did not pay as strict attention to what they were doing as they should have done. The bill was then returned to the senate for its approval very near the close of the session.

Senator Smith, seeing his object was about to be defeated, moved to amend the house bill by striking out the -enacting ; clause and Inserting the substance of his I original senate bill, which amendment made it read as above quoted. In the excitement incident to the last days of the session, he secured the adoption of this amendment by both senate and house, took it to the engrossing clerk, and from there to Gov. Gray, with his own hand, and it was approved, March 9, 1885.

Now the platform-makers of thq republican party come forward with the claim that the republican party “favors a law preventing aliens from becoming owners .of land needed for the farmers of America,” This shows either gross false pretenses or densest ignorance on the part of the leaders, and in either case is inexcusable and is prima-facia evidence that the party represented by such a platform is not capable of properly managing the affairs of the state. " Again, the law passed by the exertionsof Senator Smith contained certain provisions which are' most likely being violated by alien land-owners, and the present republican instead of looking after such violations, as his oath of office requires him to do, puts in his time at republican headquarters writing such platforms and attempting to so deceive the voters that they will retain his party minions in the pay of the state.