Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-01-16
PROGRESS OF BILLS.
What Northwestern Congressman Are
Doing for Their Constituency.

What Northwestern Congressman Are
Doing for Their Constituency.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1O.-The delega-
tions from the northwestern states in the
present congress have been unusually
successful in passing bills of local bene-
fit to their several states. Bills of local
interest to Minnesota. the Dakotas, Mon
tana and Wisconsin were pretty we'll
cleared up at the last session. There
still remain ON the calendars of both
houses several bills Of local Importance
however, which stand fair show of
passage between now and March 4.
An important bill to the newly ad-
mitted states is a measure providing for
the communication of timber culture en-
tries after four years. residence and the
payment of $1.25 per acre for the land or
for making final proof after eight years
OF residence without the payment of this
amount. There are also several amend
ments added to this bill which are of
minor Importance. The bill is now in
conference committee and awaits the &C.
ton OF that body. The bill providing for
supplying seed grain to districts which
have suffered from drouth in the past
year north of the 47th parallel is still
pending in committee and will prob
ably be reported within short time. A
measure OF Importance to Minnesota and
South Dakota is that ratifying the treaty
between the Wahpeton and Sisseton In
dians for the sale of their reservation.
AS is we'll known, this bill has been
hanging fire since last winter, and those
who have it in change are making siren
uous efforts to get it reported from the
house committee on Indian affairs. 1t
passed the senate last session. The In
dams on this reservation are suffering
for want of food and clothing,
and the ratification of this treaty
and the payment of the appro-
priations involved would be sufficient
to satisfy their wants. The bill las a
fair chance OF passage this session.
The next bill of Importance to North
and South Dakota and Montana is that
afording irrigation and providing for
segregatfng the arid and sub-arid lands
and the turning over to different states,
public land for irrigation purposes. Sew
eral different schemes we're presented to
congress last session and money was ap-
propriated for surveys, but nothing def
mite has yet been accomplished in this
direction. The members from the
states interested are going to make an
Other, and 1t is hoped all effective effort
this session to pass a bill providing fer
the irrigation of these lands and the
measure here mentioned seems most
likely to be reported favorably from the
committees and passed. There are sew
eral bills appropriating money for Indian
schools and land Offices in the new states.
1t is not probable that the measures ap-
propriating moneys for Indian schools
will become laws at this session. The
Indian war in South Dakota is likely to
prove an effective barrier in preventing
the passage of these bills. The bill pro-
viding for commission to examine into
and allow Indian depreciation claims will
be pushed by the members having the
matter in charge, but the time is so
short that it is probable no action will be
taken during this session.