The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-21
Views of Congressman and
Senators on Free Homes.
MARK HANNAL!TTLE MISTY
Most Replies Received by Mr..
Admire are Enthusiastic.


10 congressman and senators urging upon
them 10 support the Free Homes bill. He
has received a number Of interesting re-
plies. or his letter from Mark Hanna
when is not very positive, Mr.. Admire
remarks: This letter is not so very en-
coGraging, but when Mr. Hanna gives
this subject his careful consideration we
are satisfied his vote will be cast in the
right direction"
Hanna's letter: your letter of the 9Th
instant has been received and 1 note your
recommendations. l will be pleased to
file the same for more careful considera-
ton when this matter comes up for &C
ton in the senate. at which time it will
receive my personal attention"
Lucien Baker, senator from Kansas,
who is known to be for the bill, wrote:
Il am in receipt of your letter, calling my
attention to legislation in regard to Okla
homa and the Free Homes bill. When the
matters therein referred to come before
the senate for action, they shall receive
my careful consideration"
Senator George ". Mcbride replied:
Dear Sir: I beg leave to acknowledge
receipt of your letter Of the 9Th instant
requesting an answer from me regarding
my position with reference TO the enact
ment into law Of the bill known as the
Free Homes bill In reply l have TO
say that l have supported that bill both
in committee and in the senate whenever
had an opportunity to cast a vote upon
the question. l am informed, however,
that the opposition to the bill in the last
session of congress was based upon the
assertion that the bill then pending was
not identical with the bill which passed
the house Of representatives, in 1895 or
1896 referred 20 in the national RepubH-
can platform
Congressman Hemenway, First district
Indiana. replied: i have yours of recent
GATE in regard to the bill now pending in
the house Of representatives,, introduced
by Hon. y. Z. Flynn. known as the Free
Homes bill, ana unless / have reason to
change my opinion expect 10 vote for the
Same.
Il am pleased TO note what you have
10 say about Mr. Flynn. l know him per-
sonally, ana L never met d more active,
energetic, conscientious worker in my
life, and there is no more popular man
in the house of representatives. The ter
ritory Of Oklahoma can do itself great
credit by continuing him in congress as
long as he viii consent to serve"
Congressman John a. Shafroth, Colo
rado: your letter of the 9th instant re-
ceived. In reply thereto will say that on
every occasion when the question has
arisen l have voted for free homes, and
/ expect to do 50 again when the subject
arises In the Fifty-fifth congress. [
made a speech in advocacy Of the same
measure. There is no reason on earth
why free homes should not be given to
actual settlers on every foot Of agricul-
tura land owned by the United States.
The fact that we paid to the Indians
20 set a particular piece of land ought
no. to make any difference, as it cost
money in some form or other to acquire
+H the other territory Of the republic,
incidentally in war or by other expendi-
lures When the bill comes up, l will be
glad to assist in its passage"
Congressman J. NJ. Miller of Kansas.
u have your letter of January Q, asking
me TO support the Free Homes bill. I
would like to write you at length in re-
lation To this matter, but haven't the
time now. I can only say that it will
give me pleasure 10 support Mr. Flynn in
his splendid fight that ne is making to Sc
cure the passage of the bill. l most hear
thy concur with you that political parties
ought TO be true TO their platforms and
pledges. and if they are believe this bin
viii become a law and am sure that it
ought to-"
Congressman Frank NJ Eddy. Mime
sofa: Replying to your letter Of Janu-
airy G. in relation 10 the Free Homes bill
viii say that it hardly seems necessary
for me to state that I am in favor of the
original homestead law applying to all |
government lands in the United States
thai are agricultural in character and
thar they should be reversed for that pur-
Pose alone I had charge Of this measure /
IN the Filty-hfth congress and did all !
could 10 secure its passage and ! shall do |
everything in my power during the pres |
ent session in favor of such legislation"
Congressman Jhon J. Esch. Wisconsin: /
Your letter Of January c. regarding the |
Free Homes bill. introduced by Hon. u. |
T. Flynn. duly received. am a member /
of the committee on public lands and viii |
therefore be called upon 10 consider in |!
committee the above bill. have not vet |
seen a copy Of the same and therefore /
would not wish to commit myself on this |
particular measure in advance I can
assure you, however, that I am willing 10 /
stand by the pledges made in the nation /
al platform adopted at s.. Louis.
Congressman Charles II. Burke. South !
Dakota: 4 am in receipt Of your letter !
OF the 9Th instant. relative to the Free /
Homes bill and Will say that / am hear !
thy in favor OF the measure. tn. people /
of South Dakota being very much inter !
estei in ii. I am member of the COM |
mttee on public lands and eNpec, TO do |
every thing in my power 10 favor the mas /
sage Of this measure at this session Of F.
congress. this day had 81 conference on
the subject with Hon. Dennis FLYNN. rho /
able delegate from your territory. and /
wan, 10 assure you that there is no more /
earnest advocate Of this bin than MIR.
Fiynn. and no one has more friends
among the members than he has. ana if 4
We are successful in passing the bill ii 4
VIII he due 10 quite an extent 10 his ef- |
:orts
Congressman George ". Steele OF Indi- /
ara. err aerly. governor Of oklahoma: 4 /
have yours Of The 6th. IN reply have not 1
eNam.1ed Mr.. Flynn's bill SO as 10 de- 4
telmine It's scope. don't look
upon lands purchased from the Indians 4
as strictly homestead land. but where the
lana has not cost an excessive price. and /
persons have gone on 70 the government
lands ans have developed them for the
purpose or making homes on them. I
am in favor Of having them
malo free"