The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-12
1t Adopts an Amendment to the In
dian Appropriation Bill, Restoring
the Free Homestead Law.
Mr.. BAILEY FOR PROTECTION
THE TEXAN POSING As THE REPRE-
SENTATIVE OF THE .NEW SOUTH"
Appointments by the President and
Combinations by the Senate-NOtes
About Indiana POstOfiices.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1l.--ConSluefdllon
of the Indian appropriation bill was re-
sumed by the Ser ate to-day, and after be-
ing amended to ~ome extent the measure
was passed. The most important amend
ment to the bill was that offered by Mr..
Pettigrew which, if finally enacted. Will
restore the free homestead law so far as It
relates to Indian lands ceded to the United
States for which lands the settlers have
been obliged to pay the purchase price paid
to the Indians. The bin carries appropria-
ton aggregating nearly $s.o0O0o0 The Pet
tigrew amendment follows:
THAT all settlers under The homestead
laws of the United States upon the public
lands acquired prior TO the passage of this
act by treaty or agreement from the va
rious Indian tribes who have or who shall
hereafter reside upon the tract entered in
good faith for the period required by ex-
listing laws shall be entitled to a patent for
the land so entered on the payment to the
local land officers of the usual and Gus
tomary fees, and no other or further charge
of any kind whatsoever shall be required
from such settler TO entitle him to a patent
for the land covered by his entry. Pro-
vided, that the right TO commute any such
entry and pay for said lands, In the option
of any such settler, and i'm the time and at
the prices now fixed by existing laws shall
remain in full force and effect. Provided
however, that all such sums of money so
released, (which if not released would be-
long to any Indian tribe, shall be paid to
such Indian tribe BY the United States
AT the opening of the session Mr.. Allen
introduced resolution directing the COM
mittee on foreign relations to inquire
whether the yacht Buccaneer, owned by
William r. Hearst, has been seized and is
being held by the Spanish government. The
resolution was agreed to.
The Indian appropriation bill was then
taken up. Mr.. Allen withdrew his appeal
from the decision of the Vice President
which was pending when the Senate adj
Journed last evening.
Mr.. Pettigrew, of South Dakota offered
as an amendment a provision for the res
toratlon OF the free homestead laws. He
explained that the amendment if adopted
would allow settlers to secure titrn 70 their
ldnus after period OF fifteen wears by the
payment of the land office fees 1t re-
s siSSl the !, homestead law of 1862 Gradu-
any ne said, laws have been enacted re-
peanng that law until now there is practj-
caliy no land left suitable for settlement
under that law Mr. Pettigrew did not de-
sire to discuss the amFndment at length
but as 1t had been passed by the Senate
ana lndorsed by every political party it
80 s2esius " pt I1NOTdD1y con-
Sldered by the Senate.
Mr.. Carter supported the amendment. He
i,n ma Ihat under the free homestead
Jaw settlers had become prosperous Under
u the great State of Illinois had been re-
deemed and made one of the most fertile
ana prosperous spots on the face of the
earth. As soon as the government aiIe
tloneer was excluded from the land il
piooIneu as the rose and the settlers at
also It had been in Indiana Iowa Mime
sofa ana other great States. Mr.. Carter re-
ierfed to the difficulty the settlers in Okla
noln3 had mad in making the payments de-
manded by the government. The strange
spectacle is presented, he said of people
who are building schoolholses improvinf
IOadS ana developing what will be one OF
the great commemorative of the Union be-
ING pursued by the general government for
taxes ana payment for honles-pay nlents
when they have been unable 70 make on
account or failure of crops 1t is a lament
ape spectacle, contended Mr.. Carter that
the settlers in Oklahoma should be forced
TO mortgage their tesims and cattle and
other stock to pay the claims of the general
government. After pursuing the free home
stead policy for a generation it is right and
Just ana proper that the Senate should
aaItnIuIly discharge the obligations of the
government, he said.
Mr. Alllson said ne would have to make
the point OF order against the amendment
NJ, MT. PettigreW then withdrew the amend
Ing ent ana onered another eliminating the
military reservations which have been
opened to settlement
me amendment, as amended Mr. Allison
said removed his point of order. He thought
however. that the amendment w6uli
40 injustice to the people because the lands
ehdl nave been opened to settlement had
cost the government a large amount of
money. Some of the land is now worth $40
an acre and yet, Mr. Allison held the pro-
posed amendment made no distinction be-
tween the more valuable and the less valua-
PIE iand. Should the amendment be enacted
into law, in few instances men who have
taken up valuable lands would not have TO
pay for them = I0t4 -
Mr.. Pasco said that in the interest of
GHl01natInn a 40 mil
walton land from the provisions of the
amendment ought not to be permitted. He
explained that II the amendment was adopt
ed the settlers on the abandoned military
reservations would lose the influence OF
their present allies. the settlers on the In
dian reservation lands
MI. Ayle urged the adoption of the amend
uent because IL was now evident that in no
other way could the free homestead law be
restored Although by Il large majority the
Senate had in May last passed the free
homestead law and sent it to the House of
representative, the speaker of the House
s!oou IKE a stone wall against any con-
$sideration of the measure and there was
not, therefore, the slightest chance to Sc
cure lts passage except as an amendment
Mr. Pasco gave notice that he Womb
hereafter. in event of The enactment of the
amendment press the Claims of the settlers
on abandoned military reservations. The
amendment was then adopted without di-
Mr. Allen reintroduced his ammdmant
providing for restoration of the annuities
of the Sante Sioux Indians and discussed II
in extent. He was followed by Mr. Petti
grew in support OF the amendment Mr..
Allison made The point of order against the
amendment saving it was new legislation
and the point was sustained. The amend
ments to the bill We're agreed 10. and as
amended the bill was passed.
Bills for the establishment. control. opera
ton and maintenance of the northern
branch of the National Home for Disabled
Volunteer Soldiers at Hot Springs. S D.
for the relief Of the sufferers by the wreck
OF the United States revenue cutter Gallatin
off the coast Of Massachusetts in 1892;
granting 10 the State of Kansas the ADAM
doned Fort Hays military reservation for
the purpose of establishing western
branches of the Kansas Agricultural Col
lege and of the Kansas State Normal
School thereon and for public park. and 10
provide for the revision and adjustment of
the sales of the Otoe and Missouri reserva-
ton lands in Kansas and Nebraska and con-
firm the titles under the sales were passed
On motion of Mr.. Cockrell the Senate
then, at $40 p. m, went into executive ses-
sion. At p. m. the Senate adjourned until
Monday.
PLANS