The Portland daily press., 1898-02-12
RESTORE HOMESTEAD LAW
Important Amendment to lndiln
Appropriation Bill.
MEASURE WAS PASSED IN THE
SENATE YESTERDAY.

Amendment Introduced by Senator Allen
Restores Free Homestead Law as Far
AsIt Relates to Lands Purchased From
the Indlans-NIinor Bills Passed.
Washington, February 11.-Considera
ton of the Indian appropriation bill was
resumed by the Senate today and after
being amended to some extent the meas
ure was passed. The most important
amendment to the bill was that offered by
Mr.. Pettigrew OF South Dakota, which,
if finally enacted, will restore the free
homestead law so far as it relates to the
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 bill carries appropria-
tions aggregating nearly So, COO, 900. The
Senate decided to adjourn until Monday.
Mr. Allen of Nebraska, introduced
resolution directing the committee on
foreign relations, to inquire whether the
yacht Buccaneer, owned by William r.
Hearst had been seized and Is being held
by the Spanish government The resolu-
tion 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
restoration of the free homestead laws
Mr.. Carter of Montana supported the
amendment, but Mr.. Allison made a
point of order against it,
Mr.. PettigreW then Withdrew the
amendment and offered another amend
ment eliminating the military reserya-
tions which have been opened to settle
ment. The amendment as amended, MIR.
Allison said, removed his point of order.
He thought, however, that the amend
ment would do injustice to the people be-
cause the lands which have been opened to
settlement had cost the government a Ia Rs
amount of money. Some of the land is
now worth $40 an acre and yet, MIR. Alli-
son held, the proposed amendment made
no distinction between the more valuable
land and the less valuable land. Should
the amendment be enacted into law, in
few instances men who have taken up
valuable lands would not have to pay for
them.
MIR. Pasco, held that in the interest of
Justice the elimination of the military
reservation land from the provision Of the
amendment ought not be permitted. He
explained that il the amendment WAS
adopted the settlers on the military.
reservations would lose the influence of
their present allies, the settlers on the
Indian reservation lnnds
Mr.. Kyle urged tn, adoption OF th3
amendmenU because it was now evident
that in no other way could the free nome
stead law be restored, Although by
large majority the Senate had in May last
passed the free homestead law and sent it
to the House, the speaker of the House
stood like stone wall against any con-
sideration of the measure, and there WAS
not therefore the slightest chance to
secure its passage except as an amend
ment to the pending bill
Mr.. Pasco gave notice chat he would
hereafter in the event of the enactment OF
the act press the claim of the settlers on
abandoned military reservations. The
amendment was then adopted without
division. 1t is as follows: "Thnt all
settlers under the homestead laws of the
United States, upon the public lands ac-
quired prior to the passage of this act by
treaty or agreement from the various
Indian tribes, who have resided or who
shall hereafter reside upon the tract
entered In good ia tn for the period re-
quired by existing law, shall be entitled
to patent for the land SO entered upon.
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 entitle him to patent for
the land covered by his entry: Provided.
that the right to commute any such. entry
and pay for said land. In the option OF
any such settler, and in the time and at
the price LOW fixed by exiting laws, shall
remain in full force and effect: Provided,
however, that all sums of money SO re-
leased, which if not released would be-
long TO any Indian tribe, shall be paid to
such Indian tribe by the United States. -
EMr. Allen of Nebraska reintroduced
his amendment providing forIa restora-
ton of the annuities for the Sioux
Indians and discussed it.
He was followed by Mr.. Pettigrew in
support of the amendment Mr.. Allison
made point of order against the amend
ment saying it was new legislation and
the point was sustained.
The amendments to the bill were agreed
to and as amended the bill WAS passed
Mr. Allison moved that when the Sem