The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-12
FREE HOMES FAVORED
Pettigrew's Measure, Tackled
to the indian Bill
PASSED BY THE SENATE
Fort Hays Reservation Granted
the State of Kansas.
PASSED BY THE SENATE

Washington, Feb. Reconsideration of
the Indian appropriation bill was resumed
by the senate today, and after being
amended to some extent the measure was
passed. The most important amendment
the Ill was that offered by Mr.. Pettigrew
Is. d., which, if finally enacted, will re-
store the free homestead laws so far as
it relates to Indian lands coded TO the
Inl+ed States, for which land the settlers
have been obliged to pay the purchase
rrice paid to the Indians. The bill carries
authorizations aggregating nearly S oo0.-
GOO. .'be senate decided to adjourn until
Mynaay.
Y shington, Feb. lin the senate to-
GA. {. Joint resolution providing for a sur
V and TO determine the pracucability OF
O. ming a navigable channel through the
.uthwest pass OF the Mississippi river
e as passed.
A bill providing for an American reg
lister Of the steamer Leelawna, OF San
Francisco, was also passed.
Mr.. Allen CIeb.) introduced a resolution
directing the committee on foreign reia-
lions to inquire whether the yacht buc-
cancer. owned by William r. Hearts, had
been seized and was being held by the
Spanish government. The resolution was
agreed to.
INDIAN BILL TAKEN UP.
The Indian appropriatin bill was then
taken up.
Mr.. Allen (Neb.) withdrew his appeal
from the decision of the vice president,
which was pending when the senate ad-
jouFnd last yening.
Mr.. Pettigrew IS. D. offered as an
amendment a provision for the restoration
OF the free homestead laws.
He explained that the amendment, if
adopted. would allow settlers to secure
title to their lands after a period Of five
years by the payment Of the land office
fees. It restored the homestead law OF
1852. Gradually, he said, laws have been
enacted repeating that law, until now
there is practically no land left suitable
for settlement under that law Mr.. Petit
grew did not desire TO discuss the amend
ment at length, but as it had been pass
ed by the senate and endorsed by every
b. favorablv considered by the senate.
Mr.. Carter CNOnt) supported the amend
ment He maintained that under the free
hometead law settlers had become pros
porous. Under it the great state Of Illi-
nois had been redeemed and made one Of
the most fertile and prosperous spots on
the face of the earth. As soon as the gov
eminent aUctioneer was excludede from
ne land It bloomed as tn rose and the set
tiers obtained prosperity. AS it was in Il
linois. so iaso It had been in Indiana, Iowa
Minnesota and other great states.
SPECIAL PLEA FOR OKLAHOMA.
Mr.. Carter referred TO the difficulty set
tiers in Oklahoma had had in making the
payment demanded by the government.
The strange spectacle is presented, b said,
of people who are building school houses,
improving roads and developing what viii
be one Of the great commonwealths of the
Union, being pursued oy the general gov
eminent for taxes and payment for homes
payments which they have been unable
to make on account of failure of crops.
1t IS a lamentable spectacle. contended
Mr.. Carter, that the settlers in Oklahoma
should be forced to mortgage their homes
und cattle and other stock to pay the
claims Of the government. After pursu-
ing the FIRE homestead policy for a genera
ton, it was right and just and proper that
the senate should faithfully discharge the
obligations Of tn government.
MR.. ALLISON HATES TO SEE IT.
Mr.. Allison said he would have TO make
the point Of order against the amendment.
Mr.. Petgrew then withdrew the amend
ment ana offered another eliminating the
military reeravtions which have been op-
ened TO settlement. The amendment. as
amended, Mr.. Allison said removed his
point Of order. He thought. however,
that the amendment would do no injury
to the people, because the lands that have
been opened 10 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 proposed
amendment made no distinction between
the moro valuable and the less valuable
land. Should the amendment he enacted
into law, in a few instances men who have
taken up valuable lands were not to have
pay for them.
Mr. Pascoe held that in the interest Of
Justice the elimination Of the military res
ervation lands from the provisions Of the
amendment ought not to be permitted.
He eXplaind that If the amendment was
adopted the settlers on the abandoned
military reservations would lose their in
fluence Of theor presnt allies, the settlers
on the Indian reservation lands
HIS RESPECTS TO REED.
srr. Kyle urged the adoption Of the
amendment. because II was now evident
that in no other way could the free home
stead law be restored. Although by 4
large majority the senate had. in Nav
last passed the free homestead law and
seat It 10 she house Of representative.
the zepaker of the house stood like n
stoue wall against any consideration OF
II H. easure and there was not. therefore.
ii slightest chance Of the measure TO
cure its passage except as an amend
i1ent To the pending bill.
Mr.. Pascoe gave notice that he would
hereafter. in the event of tn enactment Of
the amendment, press the claims Of the
settlers on abandoned military reseva-
lions
TEXT OF THE AMENDMENT.
The amendment was then adopted with
out division. II as follows:
That all settlers under the homestead