The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1875-01-28

Il
hcen the subject of considerable criti-
cism in some of our newspapers. anu
that doubt has been expressed IN re-
gard to its utility. Under the reguia-
lions which the commissioner OF the
general land Office will shortly issue, II
is NV impression that the interests OF
the people will be amply protected,
and there certainly can be no question
that under the last section the homes
of thousands will be saved IRON Tor
FIXTURE. The payments maturing upon
prescription claims during the next
wear amount to several million OF dol.
lars in the state of Kansas alone, and
the law is equivalent TO loan OF TINS
sum by the government to our people,
without interest.
| also immediately entered into cor
respondence with the commissioner OF
agriculture upon the important sub
iect of furnishing seeds for the dcvast-
ed districts, and my letter with his re-
ply has already appeared in your col
umns. 80.
In connection with Senator Hitch
cock. of Nebraska, obtained the pass
age of a bill through the senate, ap-
prcpriatimg thirty thousand dollars for
the purchase and distribution OF seed
in addition to the usual allowance.
This bill has not vet been passed by
the house. and have just received the
following communication from the
commissioner upon the subject:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 1875.
Hon. John j. Ingalls,, y. S. Senate:
DEAR SIR: have received the let
ter addressed to you by the governor
Of Kansas, and also the letters OF many
other persons in that state, asking for
seeds and cereals.
have not responded to any of these
received since the 9Th inst. because |
have been awaiting the action of the
bouse ON the bill which passed the
senate for special appropriation Tor
seed. to be able to respond favorably.
The department has sent to Kansas
and Nebraska, the present season. such
unusually large supplies of seeds and
cereals. that, unless the bill should
mass the house, the department will be
compelled to decline any further calls
from that quarter.
have now more than five hundred
letters from those two states. unan-
swcred. urgently asking for seeds and
grains. r. a.,
| prcsent, but unless aid be extended by
congress, I shall not be able TO SEND
the seeds sslled for, without deprivins
other states Of their rightful shares.
am. very truly, yours,
FREDERICK WATTS
Commissioner.
Should the house of representatives
act favorably, of which l have iittl'
doubt, a large amount OF seeds Will d.
ut once forwarded in season for spring
planting.
The secretary of war has also order
cd the distribution of army clothing
overcoats. blankets and shoes, to thos'
! districts where the greatest destitu
ton prevails, and promises further
supplies.
the general government on account o
indian depredations, and the expense
incurred in protecting citizens agains
Indian invasions IN the last and priol
wears. Such matters are receiving m.
attention. and am urging their pay
ment by bills which are pending be
fore different committees in the senate
The liquidation Of these claims Is a,
act of Justice which cannot be mucl
longer delayed.
| Previous to the receipt of your let
ter l had hoped that the worst wa
known. and that the means alread,
emploved would be amply sufficient 4
relieve the necessities until the emer
oencv was over, but since advised tina
the danger has assumed more alarm
mo proportions. | have addresse,
personal appeals to the principal cler
gymcp of this city and New York, ask
ING them TO call the attention Of tn
charitable and benevolent association
in their charge to the cmminent neces
ity of our people. exposed rs they ar
at this Indictment season TO the doubl
pangs of cold and hunger.
have also seen the representative
of the press here. and urged them Z
bring the matter to the notice of thci
readers. The reporter of the New
York Tribune has been particnlarl
courteous and has exhibited q YER
earnest desire TO obtain all information
bearing upon the subject, at the direc
instance of the proprietors of the pa
tper.
regret to say that many disrepu;a
bic impostors are specializing upo
our afllictious in the middle and east
: ern states. soliciting contribution
, from the charitable which never reac
the objects OF their compassion. Thes
professional medicants infiict great IN
iurv upon our people. They degrad
the state by representing its conelitio
/, as worse than il actually is. Many g
: them have never seen its borders an
arc entire strangers ts its citizens
: Some of them are equipped with fors
ed testimonials, through which the
T impose upon the benevolent. Other
r are armed with genuine credential
!, which are not employed with entir
J, discretion. thought believe that Ii
great mass Of donations reach thos
Il for whom they are intended.
!. But we should not look abroad fc
A entire support through this crisi
Heaven helps those who help then
selves. The calamity is bad enough
o bat il will be far worse ii il destroy
+ four self reliance and our courage. TIL
discipliue of adversely is rough, bnt
il not always without advantage I
communities ~ well as to individual
We owe il to onrsclves to bear . shal
e of the burden and not cast il who'll
4 upon others. AS state we have he's
i greatly prospered- Free from floa,iu
o debt and with uRimpaircd credit, v
+ certainly ought to repel the imputatia