I
know all the leading cases, I _think_" he added.
"So they can put me off, and leave all these other fellows, who are
worse off than I be in keepin' up with what the law wants!" cried
Samuels.
"I hope they'll begin action against every doubtful claim," said Bob
soberly.
"It may be the law to take away my homestead, but it ain't justice,"
stated the old man.
Bob ventured his first aggressive movement.
"Did you ever read the Homestead Law?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Well, as you remember, that law states pretty plainly the purpose of
the Homestead Act. It is to provide, out of the public lands, for any
citizen not otherwise provided, with one hundred and sixty acres as a
farm to cultivate or a homestead on which to live. When a man takes that
land for any other purpose whatever, he commits an injustice; and when
that land is recalled to the public domain, that injustice is righted,
not another committed."
"Injustice!" challenged the old man; "against what, for heaven's sake!"
"Against the People," replied Bob firmly.
"I suppose these big lumber dealers need a home and a farm too!" sneered
Samuels.
Pages:
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701