The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-10
AGAINST FREE HOMESTEADS.
SENATE AMENDMENTS NON-CON.
CURED IN IN THE HOUSE.
Agreement Reached for Four Hours
Debate-t unanimous Consent Re-
fused for General Right-of-Way

appropriation bin went through lis last
stages III the adoption of the final con-
ference report. and the remainder or PIE
day was consumed in tbs consideration
OF the senate amendments 10 the Indian
appropriation bill. The substitute for the
senate provision regarding the opening OF
the Cncompahgre reservation was knocked
out on a point of order and the amend
nent goes back TO conference. The de-
sire OF the conferees to non-concur in the
senate free homestead clause encountered
bitter opposition, and an arrangement was
made whereby four hours are TO be de-
voted 10 debate 4 proposition 10 concur.
submitted by Eddy of Minnesota. Sher-
man. chairman of the Indian committee.
declared that the free homestead provis-
ion would cost the government 1900. 90.
He desired to eliminate il from the bill
and has the support OF the secretary of the
interior.
Lacey Of Iowa asked unanimous consent
that the house agree TO the senate amend
ments 10 the bin granting a general right
of-way through Alaska 10 railroads and
tramways. Some debate followed
Moody OF Massachusetts, insisted that
the house should have an opportunity TO
vote on the fisheries amendment.
Loud of California wanted similar assur-
ances regarding the homestead provisions
of the bill.
ne amendments were nnalfN 0On-C0N-
CURED In. and a conference agreed to-
When the clerk Of the senate announced
that the senate had passed without amend
ment the national defense bill wave of
applause swept over the floor and the
galleries.
The conference report on the legislative
and judicial bill was agreed to without
division. This report was a complete
agreement between the two houses, and
the bill now goes to the president.
Upon motion OF Sherman CT New York.
chairman OF the committee on Indian af
fairs, the house went into committee of
the whole for consideration of the Indian
bill. The amendments related TO the open
ing of the Cmcompahgre reservation the
ratification of the Kiowa. Comanche and
Apache treaties. and the free homesteads.
With regard to the first of these. the
conferees decided TO propose as substi-
tute for the senate amendment the pro-
vision in the last Indian bill (Which was
vetoed permitting the leasing OF the min
eral lands in the Uneompahgre reserva-
ton. 1t was desired TO concur In the
amendment ratifying the treaties and TO
non-concur In the free homestead amend
ment.
Sherman's request was agreed to. ex-
cepting that relating to the compensation
for the commission engaged in the sale
of the Puyallup Indian reservat ton, to
which Lewis of Washington offered an
amendment to repeal the law prohibiting
the alienation of these Indian lands with
in period of ten years. He subsequently
withdrew 1t. finding that il was subject
10 point of order and the original
amendment. with the others. was non
concurred in.
When the amendment relating to the
opening of the Uncompahgre reservation
was reached, with the amendment agreed
upon by the conferees TO permit the leas-
ing of the mineral lands. King of Utah
made n point of order against the amend
men. offered by the conferees to the sem
ate amendment.
After a long debate Hepburn of Iowa,
who was in the chair. sustained Kings
point OF order 10 the conferees' substitute
for the senate amendment
Shafroth Of Colorado therefore moved
to concur in the senate amendment The
motion was contested by Lacey of Iowa
who thought the conferees should be al
lowed IN fix up a provision which would
permit the gilsonite lands on the resorva-
ton to be open 10 lease. These valuable
deposits should not be allowed to fall INTO
the hands of spectators. The house had
over helmingly Endorsed this position at
the extra session.
AT this point williams OF Mississippi
got the floor. and under the latitude al
a speech made some time ago by Ding
ley, contrasting the condition of the cot
ton industry In the North and South On
that occasion Dingley. he said had spoken
OF the possible necessity of IA constitu-
tional amendment TO regulate the hours
of labor so as TO remove the disadvantage
under which the Northern operatives WITH
their shorter hours Of labor suffered. The
talk of such an amendment Williams
said. was absurd. and he was forced 10
the conclusion that rhe purpose OF Ding
lcy's speech was either 10 arouse The
Southern operatives 70 strike as a com
pensation 70 the Northern manufacturers
or 20 create haired In the North against
the cotton operatives Of the South VIII
Jams read letters from many Southern
cotton mills. explaining the advantages
they posse, sed over their Northern rivals
Moody - Massachusetts r. piled 20 VIII
Jams, recQunting the condition a. the New
England mill operatives and the code OF
laws enacted FOR their protection. He did
not believe the New England factories
would 20 down before their Southern COM
petIt0rs but II they ia the people OF New
England, taking inspiration from their
granite rocks and the cold cruelty Of thei.
east winds would find way 20 work out
their salvation He commended the labor
laws ~ Massachusetts TO the people or
the Southern states
ton CT Shafreth 10 concur I'm the senate
amendment II wss finally defeated. 81
70 -. The vote was equivalent 70 nom
concurrence.
When the free homestead amendment
was reached. Eddy of Minnesota moved
concurrence AS many members desired
10 debate this proposition an arrangement
was made by which four hours were 10 re
given for debate.
Sherman. who led the opposition 20 the
amendment said Il involved directly and
Indirectly an appropriation greater than
congress had just made for the national
defense Il involved he said. q direct ap-
preparation Of 81 GO 90 and an indirect
appropriation OF 81 cae CO. and future
expenditure Of probably se3e09 90, The
lands which this amendment proposed .
turn over 20 settlers under the homestead
laws. free Of cost. were OF two classes:
First lands ceGed 10 the government by
Indians 10 be disposed OF by the govern
rnen' There were IL go GO acres Of these
lands upon which the government stili
owed sl2 30 90. Second. lands purchased
OF Indians who were 10 be- reimbursed
upon the sale OF the land 20 the settlers.
These lands aggregated 1900 co acres
.-a ~ce. e. fss4 Ogsa The Amendments ~Fouia