Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-01-14
FREE HONESTEADS.
The Bill Under Consideration In
the Senate.
RIGHTS OF ALIENS TO HOLD LAND.
Delegate Hymns Fiji Passed In the House
Mr.. johnson Gets the Floor on q
Question Of Privilege-Crisp's
Widow Reimbursed.

WARRINGTON, Jan. 10. In the senat
yesterday Mr.. Hill, OF New York, In
troduced q bill making the terms o
postmasters four years, includin!
fourth-class postmas'ers, as well a
those who now hold their offices at tn,
pleasure Of the appointing power HI
said his bill PROVIDED that when a post
master had served few years and {
vacancy occurred, the man appointed
should only serve ont the unexpired
term, and would give republican foui
years and a democratic successor foul
years, without having charges trumpet
up against him. The bill went to the
committee on post offices and posi-
roads.
Mr. Proctor's resolution, relative to
extending the presidential term, was
taken up to allow Mr.. Stewart, OF Ne
vada. to discuss 1t. lie favored the
prohibition against reelection, but op.
posed the extension OF the term to six
years. Instead Of frightening the
term II should be shortened TO two
years, Mr.. Stewart said, so that the
president would be in closer touch
with public sentiment. The resolu.
ton was referred to the committee on
privilege and elections
The free homestead bill was then
taken up Mr.. Nelson, OF Minnesota.
supported the Ill as a just extension
Of the government policy OF giving
free homesteads to actual settlers, II
was as necessary to aid the settlers as
those who enjoyed the benefits Of a
protective tariff and those who were
benefited by river and harbor improve
ments Mr. Allen criticised Senators
VINO opposed this bill, although the
national platform had free homestead
pIanks. 1t was a sad commentary on
our national conventions said MIR. Al.
len that good men got toqether and
enuncated principles In order to catch
voters, but not with view to carrying
out the principles Mr. Villas, Of Wis.
consin, spoke against the bill. 1t was
strange, he sad, that the bill At
tracted little attention, although
1t gave away 1885,, 900, 0OOof good money,
according to the estimates OF govern
ment officers. 1t was a measure in
tended to bestow gift on the occu-
pants OF Indian lands, relieving them
from payment for the lands which they
had agreed TO pay the government.
Mr. PETER, Of Kansas, spoke for the
bill and took occasion to defend the
state administration OF Kansas from
published criticisms lie spoke also
in favor Of the independence Of Cuba
The bill was then laid aside.
Mr.. Hoar introduced u bill providing
for mn additional jud ye in the Indian
territory. The bill appropriates $4,000
for the first years salary for the new
Judge and the additional clerical force
At 5:45 p. m. the senate adjourned.
!. THE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, Jan. l3.-The house
yesterday witnessed sensational Sc
quel to the remarkable attack made
by Mr.. johnson, OF California, on Ed-
tor Hearst Mr.. johnson and Mr..
Mcguire, OF California, were the an
taqonisls Their wordy duel grew out
o. the publication in the Record as a
part OF Mayuires remarks of the COM
ments OF the formers speech last week,
In which Mr. Mcguire defended Mr..
Hearst and without the mention OF
Mr. Johnson's name detailed some
matters In the early life Of the latter,
when he resided in Syracuse, N, Y.
Mr.. johnson got the floor on the ques-
ton of privilege He was at times
dramatic He denounced Mr. Ma.
CURES attack on him as wanton
II cpd S s Attachment and told "a the s ssSry
ago in New York for forgery and how
he had gone out to California to rear a
new home and make new name. lie
described his success and how he had
been able to pay back every dollar he
owed. He then explained that all this
was IN old story in California, where
he had always avowed IL when he ran
for office. Then, with bitter invectivcs
he paid his respects to Mr. Mcguire
and Mr.. Cooper, Of Wisconsin, who last
week characterized his attack on Mr..
Hearst as cowardly. Mr. Mcguire re-
piled to Mr., johnson in a sarcastic
vein,
Delegate Catron's bill to better de.
fine and regulate the rights of aliens
to hold and own real estate in the ter.
ritories was passed, The bill refers
solely to the rights Of aliens to acquire
and hold lands In the territories, and
not in the District OF Columbia. 1t is
an amendment of an net entitled "An
act to restrict the ownership Of real
estate in the territories to American
citizens" etc, approved March 3, 1887,
except so far as 1t affects lands in the
District of Columbia, and provides
that that section shall not apply
lin the territories) to lands
which may DO acquired by any
alien who shall become a bona iide
resident Of the United States, or shall
declare his intention to become citi-
zen of the United States If any such
resident alien shall cease to be bona
flde resident of the United States, then
such alien shall have ten years from
the time he ceases to be such bona fide
resident in which to ALLEVIATE his lands.
A resolution was passed to pay the
widow Of the late Speaker Crisp 81, 4S4,
the exnenses of his last Illness and I'm.