The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-14
tee Of tho Whole to the consideration Of
the Oklahoma bill.

the Oklahoma bill
Mr.. Hooker, OF Mississippi, offered an
amendment providing that the unoccupied
lands west OF the Goth degree OF west
longitude shall be open TO settlement only
by consent OF the Cherokee Indians or any
other tribe or tribes having interest
therein, which shall first be obtained by q
commission TO be appointed by the Presi-
dent
After considerable discussion, and an
hour consumed in an effort TO secure O
quorum, the amendment was rejected-3s
TO 100.
Mr. Payson, OF Illinois, offered nm
amendment providing that the rights Of
honorably discharged Union soldiers "a
make homes on the public lands under
the existing homestead laws shall not in
any degree be impaired by the BILL and
their rights under those laws shall extend
TO the lands open 10 settlement under Its
provisions.
Mr.. Weaver inquired who was TO pay
for the land.
Mr. Payson reylicd that the government
would pay for il. This was the first time
that in land legislation the rights OF sol
diors under the homestead law had sought
TO bo impaired. lie made the prediction
that II a yea and nay vote were taken on
the amendment, the gentleman from Illi-
nois (Mr. Springer would not dare to vote
against IL.
Mr. Springer-I will vote against IL here
and on yea and nay vote. never heard
proposition more demagogical and incon-
sistent than your proposition is and you
know il.
Mr.. Weaver yielded TO no member in
his devotion TO tho men who carried the
flag in the late war, but this amendment
was proposition to stab the bill in the
nameoi the Union soldiers. He had never
heard OF tho Union soldiers asking for
such an amendment, and il was not Offered
in their interest. lie protested against
dishonoring the Union soldiers by placing
them on the attitude Of mcdicanls.
Mr.. Warner, Of Missouri, said II the
lands were public lands he would be in
favor Of the amendment, but they were
not. The proposition was to purchase
them.
Mr.. payson suggested that Oklahoma
would embrace the 100000 acres Of the
public land strip.
Mr.. Warner replied that that was n
small portion OF the land TO be- embraced
in Oklahoma. lie bad slight acquaint.
anco with the wishes OF the old soldiers Of
the country, aud he had never heard a
request from them that such nm amend
ment should be put in the bill. lie be.
licvod that the men who fought the bat
ties OF the country simply asked justice at
the hands OF Congress They were not
here Us bcggars, and ho hoped to God
they never would he. Democratic ap.
plausc. They demanded absolute justice,
and lac trusted that the day would soon
come when the clapping OF hands would
be- on both sides ol the chamber, when
Congress would do exact justice TO the
men who preserved the nation.
Without action on the amendment the
committee rose aud Mr.. Dockcry, the 70.
firing chairman, called on Mr.. Bulterworth
20 preside as Speaker. Thus was the signal
for round Of applause from both sides OF
the chamber, which was renewed when
Mr.. Dockcry, in making his report, adj
dressed Mr.. Buiterworth rs "MrSpcakcr."
The house then adjourned and Demo
cratic caucus was announced for tonight
Mr. breckenridge. OF Kentucky, jocoscly
10 Mr.. Buiiorworth that MS soon
ms he was in the chair the Democrats were
obliged 10 retire for consultation.