The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-07-22
THE Usage LANDS.

morning last, contained the following
dispatch:
WASHINGTON, July 10, 1870.
Editor of Kansas Tribune:
My amendment, disposing OF the Usage lands
to actual settlers ut one dollar and twenty-five
cents per acre, excepting school lands, is
adopted by both Houses.
We take it for granted that this dis
patch is true and correct, although we
see nothing of such action in the Con-
gressional proceedings, and no other
paper contains anything of the intelli-
gence conveyed in this dispatch. We
believe Mr.. Clarke's amendment was
similar to the bill passed by the Senate,
and gives the lands to the settlers at
81 .25 per acre. This dispatch contains
good news to the settlers, and no one
rejoices more at their good fortune than
does The NEWS.
We take pleasure in giving Mr.. Clarke
credit for all his efforts in securing
the passage of so beneficial an act of
justice to long-suffering and patient
class of settlers. We are glad to record
it as fact that in his five years. Con-
gressional career he has really contrib
uted to the passage of one act for the
benefit of his constituents. We are
glad his "organs" have this to blow
about.
We asked, last week, why he did not
secure the passage of the Senate bill,
and stated that we believed he intro
duced has bill to delay the measure.
Onr paper was printed on the day Con-
gress adjourned, and at the latest dates
nothing favorable was received in re-
gard to the bill. We had known his
disposition to shyster on such measures
for five years, and we did not then
believe anything would be done. But
it seems, from his telegram in the
Tribune, that at the very last moment
the bill was passed. So we give him
due credit. 1t become very evident to
him, from the numerous petitions and
letters that have lately poured in upon
him, that it would be useless for him to
come home and undertake to explain
away his action if this bill was not
passed. He knew very we'll he would
not have a friend on the Usage land,
and that his presumptuous claim of
being the settlers friend would be scat
tered as chaff before the wind when the
indignant settlers got chance to express
their opinion of him, which they will
have in a few months. So much, then,
for the motive power which compelled
him to act in this matter. His own
bacon was at stake.
In commenting upon this dispatch
from our Congressman, the Tribune
takes occasion TO say;
at completely vindieates Mr.. Clarke in his
whole action on the Usage matter. The
Dosage treaty. was conceived in sin and
| brought forth IN iniquity, and this is the end
| OF IL. II is routed, horse, foot and dragon,
and the people-the poor. the honest and the
toiling settlers-get the land a: Sl.25 per acre,
| out of which To build homes for themselves
| and their children.
We believe the intelligent people of this
| entire State will most cheerfully accord to our
Representative the full credit OF doing his
whole duty In this matter"
Oh yes, of course. But Mr.. Clarke
does not deserve half the credit for the
defeat of the Usage Treaty the Tribune
would give him just at this time. The
fact is, the press and the people killed
that treaty. 1t is asserted and widely
believed that Sidney offered to support
that treaty for certain price. Sturgis
was not willing to give him as much as
he asked, although advised to do SO by
Kansas men at Washington at the time.
The story is that he only offered Clarke
half what he wanted, whereupon the
"great statesman" flew Into q passion
and swore he would defeat it. BY the
aid of the press-and The News had
the honor of adding its mite-and the
unanimous voice of the people, the in
famous swindle was killed. The ''poor,
honest, toiling settlers, show those
words are wrung just now by the
demagogues and defaulters-are under
no obligations whatever to Sid. Clarke
for the defeat of that measure. If he
went against it, he was only represent
ing the public sentiment he was sent
there to represent Must he be landed
to the skies because he did not steal
some of the land? The public senti-
ment of the State and country has been
vindicated. No man dared support that
treaty and face the public.