The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-12
SESSION OF THE SENATORS.
SURVEY OF THE SOUTHWEST PASS
RECOMMENDED.

Inquiry Suggested as to Whether
William II. Hearsts Yacht Bucca-
necr Is Held by the Spanish Au-
thOrities in Cuba-Indian APPrO-
priation aBin Taken Up-An
Amendment Relative to Patenting
of Government Lands Adopted.
Washington, Feb. lin the Senate to-
day a joint resolution providing for a sur
vey to determine the practicability of
opening a navigable channel through the
southwest pass of the mississippi river
was passed.
Mr. Allen of Nebraska introduced
resolution directing the committee on for
eign 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 of Nebraska with
drew his appeal from the decision of
the Vice President, which was pending
when the Senate adjourned last evening.
Mr.. Pettigrew of South Dakota offered
as an amendment a provision for the res
toration 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. 1t restor-
ed the homestead law of 1852 Gradually,
he said laws have been enacted repeal
ing that law until now there is practically
no land left suitable for settlement under
that law.
Mr.. Allison said ne would have to make
point of order against the amendment
Mr. Pettigrew then withdrew the
amendment, and offered another eliminat-
ing the military reservations which have
been opened to settlement.
The amendment as amended, MIR. Allison
said, removed his point of order. He
thought, however, that the amendment
would do injustice to the people, because
the lands that have been opened to set
tlement had cost the government large
amount of money Some of the land is
now worth $40 an acre, and yet, Mr.. Alli-
son held, the proposed amendment made
no distinction between the more valuable
and the less valuable land. Should the
amendment be enacted into law in few
instances men who have taken up valua-
BILE lands would not have to pay for them.
Mr. Pasco of Florida held that in the
interest of justice the elimination of the
military reserva ton land from the provis-
ions of the amendment ought not to be
permitted. He explained that if the
amendment was adopted the settlers on
the abandoned military reservations would
lose the influence of their present allies,
the settlers on the Indian reservation
lands. He gave notice that he would
hereafter, in the event of an enactment,
press the claims of settlers on abandoned
! military reservations.
1.-The amendment was then adopted
without division. 1t Is as 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 various
Indian tribes, who have or who shall
hereafter reside upon the tract entered
in good faith for the period required by
the existing law, shall be entitled to a
patent for the land so entered upon the
payment to the local land officers of the
usual and customary fees, and no other
or further charge of any kind whatsoever
| shall be required from such settler to en-
! title him to a patent for the land covered
| by his entry, provided that the right to
| commute such entry and pay for said
| lands, in the option of any such settler,
| and in the time and at the prices now
fixed by existing laws, shall remain in
full force and effect; provided, however,
| that all sums of money so released which
! if not released, would belong to any In
| dian tribe, shall be paid to such Indian
| tribe by the United States"
The amendments to the bill were agreed
| to- and as amended the bill was passed.
| The Senate then adjourned until Monday.