The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-12
FREE HOMES VICTORY
THE PETTIGREw AMENDMENT Is
ADOPTED BY THE SENATE
IL Finally Enacted Settlers on Coded
Lands, After Five Years, Can Oh
tain Title Upon Payment of Fees
AIOne-The Indian Bill Carrying
100000 Passed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.-Considera-
ton of the Indian appropriation bill
was resumed by the senate today and
after being amended, to some extent
the measure was passed. The most i'm
portant amendment to the bill was that
offered by Mr.. Pettigrew Is. ID, 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 bill carries ap-
preparations aggregating nearly s8,000,-
600.
Mr.. Pettigrew Is. D., in offering as
an amendment, a provision for the re-
storation Of the free homestead laws,
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 restored the homestead
law of 1862.
Gradually, he said, laws have been
| enacted repeating that law until now
there is practically no land left suitable
| fer settlement, under that law. Mr..
! Pettigrew did not desire to discuss the
| amendment at length, but as it had
been once passed by the senate and in
dorsed by every political party, it ought
now, he said, be favorably considered
| by the senate.
Mr.. Garter (Mont) supported the
amendment He maintained that under
! the free homestead law settlers had
! be come prosperous.
Mr.. Allison said he would have to
make a point of order against the
amendment
Mr.. Pettigrew then withdrew the
amendment and offered another elimi-
mating the military reserva tons, which
| have heen ODpnpd settlement
Allison Approved.
The amendment as amended, Mr.. AL
! lison said, removed his point of order
He thought, however, that the amend
ment would do injustice to the people
because the lands that have been open
ed to settlement had cost the govern
ment large amount of money.
Mr. Kyle urged the adoption of the
! amendment because it was now evident
! that in no other way could the free
homestead law be restored Although
/ by large majority the senate had in
| May last passed the law and sent 1t
| to the house of representatives, the
! speaker of the house stood like a stone
| wall against any consideration of the
| measure and there was not therefore
the slightest chance to secure it's pas
| sage except as an amendment to the
| ptIulHS DILL
The amendment was then adopted
without division.
Mr.. Allen (Neb) reintroduced his
amendment providing for a restoration
of the annuities of the Santee Sioux In
dams and discussed it in extent. He
was followed by Mr.. Pettigrew in sup
! port of the amendment.
Mr.. Allison made a point of order
against the amendment, saying it was
new legislation and the point was sus,
tanned.
The amendments to the bill were
agreed to and, as amended, the bill was
! passed.
Mr.. Allison moved that when the SEN
ate adjourned today it be until Mon
| day next and the motion was agreed to
A bill for the establishment, control
operation ard maintenance of the
Northern branch of the national home
for disabled volunteer soldiers at Hot
Springs, S. D., was passed.
On motion Of Mr. Cockren (Mo.) the
senate then, at $40 p. M, went into ex
ecUtive session.
At p. m. the senate adjourned un-
| til Monday.