The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-12-29
FREE HOMES
Virgil Hobbs Writes an Open
I.et,er on the Subject.

with the following onou letter 70 the
Hon. James IIirkwood, Of Usage City.
wherein the writer airs his views o.
free homes. The letter is rs follows:
James ISirkwood, Pres'ds7t Free Ito mes
League, Osago CITY. Ok,ah7ma:
Dear Slr:-The question OF 'Free Homes'
for the horfIestead settlers on the public
land IN this territory Is OF so much inn
portauce TO all the people that I trust
may be paidoned for submitting a few
observations and suggestions for the con-
which have heretofore been pursued
address myself TO you, and through
you TO the Free Homes League because
the measure is ono that should be kept
as far removed from the influence Of the
malversation Of partisan politics as Is
possible. II may be conceded that the
efforts which have been made heretofore
IN this direction have been honest and
faithful. Let us all believe that both
our delegates In congress. Mr.. Callahan,
and our delegate-elect. Mr.. FLYNN, have
done and win continue TO do all in their
power to secure Free Homes. But are we
not asking too much of them? Is II not
expecting too much from the delegate OF
this territory for him to persuade con-
gress to vote an absolute gift to the peo-
pie of the territory, of approximately ff-
teen million dollars7 In view Of the stub
born opposition, which the measure has
met at every step, is It not futile to hope
for its ultimate success on the lines
which have heretofore been persued.
OBJECTIONS TO BE MET.
We are met on the threshold by the
objection that the settlers went upon their
land with fun knowledge OF the contract
entered into with t.e government, requir-
ing the payment OF a fixed price per acre
for the lands entered. II is not unreas-
enable nor improper for the government
and for senators and representatives from
states unaffected by this provision 70 in
sist upon n full compliance with the terms
Of the contract. In view of the good
crops which we have had in this territory
for the last two years, and OF the fat
tering and. I may say, exaggerated re-
ports of Oklahoma's prosperity II is use-
less to urge the poverty of the settlers
or the hardships OF pioneer life
HOBBS SUGGESTIONS.
Now, IL a measure were submitted TO
congress whereby the settler. with little
or no expense TO himself, could contribute
something TO the general good in consid-
GRAFTON for a release by the government
of the purchase price agreed to be paid |
for the land. is It not reasonable to sup |
pose that II would receive better consid-
Grafton and more favor from senators and
representatives,, whose constituents must
bear their share OF the loss ito the gov
ernment without receiving. and direct benz
eft? Such 4 measure would at least
possess the elementof mutuality; II would |
eliminate the idea Of an absolute gift |
and members Of congress could Justify |
their votes for it before their constitu- |
ents. Can such measure be proposed? |
think II can--one that is not only prac- |
ucaole in its accomplishments but also |
IS highly beneficial In its results.
PONDS AND TREES.
There are in this territory, in the Pot !
tawatomle, Cheyenne and Arapahoe res
ervations and the Cherokee strio approx
imately 1900 homestead claims, for which |
the settlers must pay TO tho government. |
under the existing law, from s1.GO to $40
FER acre. Row, II thero were construct
ed and maintained upon each Of these |
claims a pond or re7a-voir OF wator e. |
say. one acre or mo e, It would ,onprise |
In the aggregate an immease bGdy OF sur
face "ater From these reso its m
t'rsI ersed as they would be ovor Largo
80 ~ - AAl'Hi " III = ENtAlu ANN VIII N /
ara prevalent here woul1 take up en-
abundant moisture to o@ carried to she
north and precipitated as dew or rain and |
be of permanent and inestlmable benefit,
not only 20 the farmers OF this territory,
but also OF Kansas Nebraska and Of the
These reservoirs could easily be con-
structed by the settlers with little or 10
cash outlay, The most sandy or porous
soils could easily be made TO retain the
water by the use Of vegetable loan.
Waste straw could be thrown in and stock
fed In them ana with little labor an
abundant supply OF water could be Sc
cured without expense. II would not be
an unreasonable request TO ask congress
10 encourage such an enterprise. At near
ly everg session OF congress large surts
OF money are appropriated for the pur-
pnSa Of irrigation. Millions OF money have.
In tho pfst been expended by the govern
ment in an effort 20 reclaim lle arid lands
Of the west. What scheme can be more
practical in its accomplishments or more
beneficial in its results than the ono here
proposedG II seems TO me that such
measure would meet with but little. II any
opposition, and its enactment into law
could be early secured The idea here
could be embraced in a pro-
vision about as follows:
A SUGGESTED LAW.
An homestead settlers on public lands
p the territory OF Oklahoma. who shall
and maintain. on the land en-
oraced in his or her entry, pond or res
'rvoir sufficient 10 contain one acre or
more OF surface water. and establish such
act at the date OF making final poo: hy
he testimony OF two credible witnesses,