The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-17
FREE HOMES GENESIS
{. {. Brown Traces TO a Polit-
iCaI Emergency
IN FLYNN'S FIRST CANVASS
Claims the Very Inception of
Il as His Own Idea.

Guthrie, O. T., May 16-Amid the gen
eral rejoicing in Oklahoma over the pass
age of the free homes bill, how many of
the glad hearts are acquainted with the
political history of the bill and when it
was first conceived as a Republican
measure? This history is given by E. E.
Brown, editor Of the Oklahoma City
Times-J Journal who goes back to the con-
vention which nominated Flynn for the
first time. There was a bolt in the con-
vention, seventy-nine delegates with
drawing, leaving eighty-one delegates to
complete the work Of forming platform.
As a result of this unusual break the
platform was hurriedly voted upon in an
incomplete form. A few days later the
Republicans realized the folly of their
acts and began to cast about for means
of patching up their fences. With this
purpose in view Mr.. Brown wrote Mr..
Flynn suggesting that he commit him
self to the proposition that all govern
ment lands should be given to the set
tiers without other cost than the land
office fees, and suggesting further that in
case the proposition met his approval 1t
would be a good idea to have a letter on
the subject addressed ii him by Captain
Delaney, receiver Of the Oklahoma City
land office, which, together with the re-
ply, could be printed, thus putting him
upon record on this question Mr.. Flynn
saw the Importance Of the measure, its
value in a campaign and also the hercu-
lean task its enactment into law must
be. He stated his position frankly and
clearlq. calling attention to the magni-
tude of the undertaking, but so earnestly
promising to use his whole strength in an
endeavor to secure this boon for the set
tiers upon the lands Of Oklahoma that
everybody believed he would do just as
ne said he would The Populists and
Democrats both endorsed the measure,
bat it was already FIynn's, and their en-
dorsement was an endorsement Of Flynn
During his first term Flynn made little
Roadway. He had gone to Washington
with an extravagant and preposterous
proposition, so thought the members OF
the national Legislature. So little stock
did congress take in his proposition that
the members Of congress from those
states having lands in a condition SINH
lar to that existing in Oklahoma could
not be induced to waste time upon it.
During his second term he worked up an
interest, got those congressman whose
districts contained government lands TO
Join him, and through their combined
efforts the bill passed the house. That
same fail Flynn was defeated for re-elec-
ton, although running 10000 ahead Of
his party, a fusion of Democrats and
PopUlists having given the opposition an
overwhelming majority. His successor
accomplished nothing with the measure
Again Flynn was put forward and elect
81 over the combined majority by 10000
With such an endorsement he returned to
Washington with determination to win
All through the campaign and after his
election he spoke in the most confident
manner of his ability to get the bill
through. He was welcomed back to con
gress by his old friends. and in a little
while all were his friends, and every
body from the speaker down were adj
dressing him Familiarity as Dennis Soon
after congress convened Flynn wrote
home that the bill would pass-not the
house alone, but the senate also. He had
canvassed every member and had stilled
practically all opposition. He knew pre-
cisely where his bill stood, who would
oppose ii, who would champion it, who
would vote for 1t, weeks before it came
~ vote.