The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-02-06

tion. !. was Of too great importance
TO tue poor homsstcAaer, who, unless
The free homes bill passed, would be
forced to pay out sums ranging from
si75 to $500, 10 be considered a qnes
ton OF politics at all. Dennis Flynn,
in his speeches talked free homes, OF
course, bpt he did 1t simply from a
standpoint Of loyalty to the people 10
general and not TO tse Republican
party In particular
When Flynn went TO Washington
three weeks ago the Republican press
declared simultaneously that the tx
delegate, despite his defeat, intended
to aid Congressman Callahan in press
ing the free homes bill through con
gress OF course, ,very body believed
this statement Those who did not,
held up their hands to be counted
The count is still in progress
Now what Is it we hear? ludsei,
what it lsq "A minority report on the
free homes bill presented by Lacey at
the request OF Republicans 20 Oh
there's scugerdeeming Tho free
homes bill not question OF politics?
Then why a minority report? Why
the disposition to hold it up while Cal
lahan is in congress?
Toe following letter received from
an Oklahoma attorney now in Wash.
ington gives some interesting infor-
nation:
Editor LEADER: The all-abs orbing
question OF free homes ia now
agitating the Oklahoma colony in
Washington The bill has been
favorably reported by the COM
mittee in the house, and a rider 10
the Indian appropriation bill has been
Introduce in the senate, which wi
undoubtedly be reported favorably
there II Is generally understood that
the speaker can, and perhaps will, pre-
vent a vote being taken on the house
bill, but there is no possibility OF his
preventing a vote upon the lndiIn Ap.
propriAton bill, or upon the rider,
which will pass the senate by good
majority.
II this bill is defeated, which does
not seem probable, IL will be by the
action OF the Republicans and the Re-
publicans only. A careful can vass OF
both house and senate, made by NY
self, shows that every Democrat aud
every pJpulist is In favor OF the pas
sage of the bill, and IL is believed that
sufficient nun Der OF epublicans
favor ITS psssnge to secure a good
round majority
In connection with this IL is 10 be
noted that Congressman Lacey, after
| being present at the time the com
mittee on public lands unanimously
reported in favor OF the bill, has since
| filed minority report, aud it Is
I alleged that this is done at the request
OF Oklahoma Repu blicAns, who desire
ID defeat the passage OF the measure
during this session, preferrlng the de-
feat OF the measure 10 It's passage at a
time when they are not Represented by
G republican delegate. Lacey's lack
OF sincerity is shown by the fact that
he WAS the author OF the Lacey bill.
And it has been openly alleged that
prominent Republicans of the terri
tory were advocating the defeat OF the
measure, or such action as would do.
lay vote upon the same, in order to
prevent it's passage at this time
Grosveuor, OF Ohio, is q champion OF
!
mics do not dare to openly support the
oppo 'ition, as the same is based on
political grounds only; and GalushA
A Grow, OF Pennsylvania, the father
OF the homestead law, Is enthusiastic
in his support
A general call mas been issued bv
the friends OF the measure to the peo-
pic OF Oklahoma interested In It's pas
sage, requesting those who are ac-
quAinted with any Republican con
gressman, to write him personally
explaining the situation and securing
as much help as possible from these
mem bers
Delegate Callahan has made many
friends for the measure both in the
house and in the senate, and the vote
will enable the people OF Oklahoma 10
plscs OF record, the people who are
their friends.
We shudeer hen we think OF all
;ho good resolutions passed by the 800
Free Home leagues in oklShomA terri
tory during the past three years. We
pause with our ears glued TO the
ground to listen to the frenzied words
OF the Kay county homesteAders when
they read Of this shAtlering Of the
Flynn idol. We also adj lst our spec
tAeles and placidly sean the free home
stead p Ank Of the Republican party
We do other thif g., but the result Of
what Is done will be heard from
in strong Huuyadi terms during the
next congressional campaign. AT that
/ time vi ascopes stcreopucons nor
black boards will be necessary to illus,
trate Republican deceit, chicanery aud
ehArls'anry in connection with the free
homes bill rottenness, and the Repu b.
lican party, as represented by Barnes
and Flynn, viii not be able TO prove
an alb.
THE BIMETfLLISM or PRESIDENT 4
MkTNLEI.