The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-24
OPEN LETTER TO THOMAS b. REED,
suggestions by a South DakOtan on
the "Free Homes" Bill.

Britton, S: D., Jan. 90 1898.
Hon Thomas B.: Reed-My Dear Sir: 1t is
a matter OF public rumor that the Free
Homes" bill would pass the house but for
your opposition. Permit me to say that I do
not make up my mind about anything upon
hearsay evidence, and I cannot believe what
1 hear with reference to your attitude upon
this measure. l have ever regarded you as
broad minded and liberal and disposed to
FAVOR every law which is calculated to pro-
mote the general welfare.
Allow me to offer few suggestions in IA
vor of this bill. You have probably heard
them before. but they will bear repetition.
The senate has eagerly responded to the
wishes of the people and twice passed the
bill.
The Republican party in its last national
platform adopted at St Louis recommends
the passage Of the identical bill which is now
before the house committee on public lands
True 1t is that parties have often violated
their pledges. but they have never increased
their popularity by doing so. 1 cannot be-
lieve that the Republican party, which takes
pride in being the champion of national honor
and good faith, will grossly violate of it's
latest contracts, even though 1t affects only
few poor settlers on the Indian reserva-
lions.
1 live near the sisseton and Wahpeton res
ervation and know the situation OF the
settlers thereon There has not been a good
crop raised in South Dakota since the opening
Of that reservation on the 18th day of April,
1892 large majority Of the homesteaders are
poor, they have raised nothing above the
bare support of their families, and it Is
simply impossible for them to pay anything
for their land. If they do not obtain the re-
lief asked for there will be a grand exodus
from the reservation homes will be aban-
doned, and the dug out and shanty where con-
tented poverty found refuge for a few years
will become the abode of the wolf and jack
rabbit-and remember the wolf and jack rab-
bit do not vote. 1t is said the government
cannot afford to give away this part of the
public land because 1t was purchased of the
Indians. The argument is neither good nor
al all thn rN1thI 10
domain given away under the original home
stead law was purchased of some foreign ma
ton, excepting Texas and some other small
territory, and in addition thereto the Indian
title was extinguished by the payment of large
sums OF money!
The settlers this reservation have earned
their homes. well earned them. They have
earned them by five long years of residence,
by py hard toll. by living in pinching poverty,
by the endurance of intense cold and terrible
bliZzards, by the death of loved ones killed
by the roughness of frontier life While the
poor settler on winters night lay in his
dreaming OF some day owning home your
blue-bellted Yankee congressman who on
pose this bill were probably drinking cock
tails and laughing at the fools who elected
them.
They have earned their homes by improv
ing them, by the building of roads school
houses and other public improvements and
by introducing civilization among a DeonJe
VINO, before the coming OF the white settler.
were entirely under the care of the govern
ment.
The Republicans of South Dakota interested
in free homes rallied to the support of
the party In the last national struggle at
the polls. They did SO because they believed
in the party, they believed it would perform
what what 1t promised. VIII they be deceived :
VIII they be compelled to leave their homes
a1d increase the army of tramps and wan
derers in this Christian land? Very truly
yours James Wells.