The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-02-12

Washington. Feb. lin the senate to-
day Mr. Allen of Nebraska introduced a
resolution directing the committee on for
eisn relations TO inquire whether the
yacht Buccaneer. owned by William D.
Hearst, had been seized and was being
held by the Spanish government. Agreed
to-
The Indian appropriation bill was taken
up
Mr.. Pettigrew Of South Dakota offered
an amendment providing for the restora-
ton OF free homestead laws. He explain
/ ed that the amendment if adopted. would
allow settlers to secure title 10 their lands
after a period OF five years by the pay
ment of the land Ofnce fees Il restored
the homestead law of 1862. Gradually. he
said, laws have been enacted repeating
that law, unit now there is practically no
lard left Suita Bile Tor settlement under
that law. Mr.. Pettigrew did not desire
, 10 discuss the amendment at length, but,
as it had been passed bv the senate and
endorsed by every political party, IL ought
now. ne said, be favorably considered by
the senate.
FREE HOMESTEAD LAW.
Mr.. Carter CAIontana) supported the
amendment He maintained that under
I free homestead laws settlers had become
prosperous. uder il the great state of
illinois had been redeemed and made one
of the most fertile and prosperous places
on the face of the earth. As soon as the
government auctiOneer was excluded from
the land It bloOmed as the rose and set
tiers attained prosperity As IL was IN
Illinois. also had it been in Indiana,
Iowa. Minnesota and other great states
Mr. Carter referred to the difficulty set
tiers IL Oklahoma had had in making the
payments demanded by the government.
Inc strange spectacle is presented. he
SAID OF people who are bGIlGlng school
houses. improved roads and developing
What VIII be one OF the great common
wealths of the union. being pursued by
the government for payment of homes-
PAYMENTS which they have been unable
TO make, or account OF the failure Of
crops. II IS a lanentahle spectacle. con-
tended Mr.. Carter that settlers in Okla
hCma should De forced 10 mortgage their
teams and cattle and other stock to pay
the claims of the general government
After pursuing the free homestead policy
for generation, il is right and just. and
9ro9er that the senate should faithfully
discharge the obligations OF the govern
ment.
Mr. Allison said he would have to make
the point of order against the amend
ment.
Mr. Pettigrew then withdrew the
amendment and offered another eliminate
ing the military reservations which have
been opened TO settlement
COST TO GOVERNMENT.
The amendment as amended. Mr ALI
son said. removed his point of order He
thought. however. that the amendment
would 10 injustice to the people. because
the lands that nave been opened 10 SIT
Element have cost the government large
sum of money. Some of the land Is worth
$40 an acre. and vet Mr. Allison held the
proposed amendment made no distinction
between the more valuable 2nd the less
valuable. Should the amendment be en-
acted into low. in a few instances men
who have taken up valuable lands would
not have to pay fO- them
Mr.. Parcoe held that in the interest of
justice the elimination Of the military res
ion errerfre not ro he no.
explained that = the amendment was
adopted. TIE settlers on the abandoned
military reservations would lose the IN
fuence OF their present allies the settlers
on the Indian reservation lands
STONE WALL IN THE HOUSE.
Mr.. KYLE urged the adoption of the
am eudment because it was row evident
that in no other way could the free home
stead be restored Although by a large
ma iOrity the senate had in May last
passed the free homestead law and sent
il to the house Of representatives. the
sneaker of the house stood like q stone
measure and there was not. therefore,
the slightest chance to secure its passage
except as an amendment 10 the pending
1ir. Pascoe gave notice that he would
hereafter. in the event of the enactment
of the amendment, press the claims or
the settlers on abandoned military reser-
The amendment was then adopted with
division. It is as follows;
That all settlers Under the homestead
laws of the United States uDon 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 en-
tered in good faith for the period re-
Glired by existing laws. shall be entitled
to q patent for the lands so entered upon
by the payment to the local land officers
OF the usual and customary fees, and no
other or furChar charge of any kind what
soever shall he required from such settler
70 eutitle him to a patent for the land
covered by his entry; provided. that the
right to commute any such entry ana
pay for said lands in She option % any
settler and in the time and at the prices
now fixed by existing lanws. snail remain
in fun force and effect; provided. however,
that all sums of money so released. WIllch,
If not released. would belong to any
Indian tribe. shall be paid 10 such In
dian tribe By the United states.
BILL PASSED.
Mr.. Allen CIebD introduced his amend
ment providing for a restoration OF an
nuitfes &C the Santee Indians and dis
cuseed ii IN extent. He was followed
bv Mr. Pett'grew in support of the amend
nent Mr. Allen made the point of order
against the report saying IL was new
Ieaislat ton ana the point or order was
sustained. The amendments to the Dill
were agreed TO and, as amended, the Dill
was passed
The bill carries appropriations aggre-
eating nearly SS.000000. The senate ad-
j0urned until Monday.
Federal Nominations.