INDUSTRIAL REDISTRIBUTION. 293 



have that percentage of labor in his favor that would 

 amply secure him from all harmful competition by 

 large capitalists and corporations ; and, on an aver- 

 age, every quarter section of land would be occupied 

 as a homestead that would receive the full benefit of 

 all the improvements that could be put upon it. 

 Thus continually advancing the general condition of 

 the people and increasing the wealth of the country. 



The railroads would have not only the large amounts 

 of produce to carry to market that they now enjoy, 

 but would also have large return freights, for the sup- 

 ply of the numerous families occupying the farms of 

 the country. And more than this : there would be 

 created a large local and distant passenger travel, now 

 so conspicuously wanting, sustained by both the in- 

 creased population and their improved condition, the 

 absence of which, at this time, in the agricultural sec- 

 tions, is one of the most serious matters that aifect 

 those interests. Excepting that of the farmers, no 

 interest in our whole country, especially in the great 

 Westj would be so largely and so beneficially affected 

 by the redistribution of labor that the adoption of 

 this proposition would bring about, as that of the 

 railroads. It is not in unpopulated regions, nor 

 among tramps and beggars that those great interests 

 find favorable conditions. In the general prosperity 

 of the people do they find their best requirements ; 

 and in the agricultural sections it is by the numerous 

 small farms and prosperous homes that their success 

 is assured ; whilst large tracts, however well culti- 

 vated, without homes or fixed population, afford but 

 meager support to any great interest. 



