Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1900-05-05
SAFELY PASSED THE HOUSE
The Free Homes Bill Now Past
The Danger Point-Senate
Is Assured.
GENERAL REJOICING HERE
Senator Shoups Telegram Messenger Of Good
Tidinss to the Reservation and All
Friends Of Free Homes.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., May 3.-Am
pleased to say that the free homestead
bill passed the house of representatives
today. Rest assured it will pass the sen
| ate. GEO l.. SHoUP
The above received by the Teller
Thursday afternoon caused general re-
joicing among the citizens of Lewiston.
There has been grand fight made on
the free homes bill and now that it has
passed the danger point all friends of the
bill are greatly elated. The news means
more to Nez Perce county than any other
section of the northwest. 1t is estimated
that in the Nez Perce reservation in this
county there are probably 5000 quarter
sections of land occupied by actual set
tiers. They were to pay $500 for each
quarter section, or 81 500, 900 i'll the ag-
gregate. The passing of the bill releases
the obligation of payment and gives to
the settlers this vast sum of money. 1t
will work transformation scene, as
these men can nearly all prove up this
fall and begin to pay taxes. When they
had no title to their lands they had no
credit but they can soon sell or borrow
money to make improvements. The as
sessable valuation of the lands affected by
the bill is close to S4, 500 900, estimating
the price at $40 per acree. This will give
Nez Perce county the aid that is SO nee
essary to the building of roads and
bridges.
The passing of the bill is equivalent to
presenting the county with Fl 500 900 lu
cash, which is considerable cash to add
to that already acquired. No other coun-
ty in the United States can be similarly
situated, for the reservation occupies the
entire central portion and has been ser
ious drawback in the past. 1t could not be
taxed and yet the law had to be enforced
everywhere and at great expense. The
county could not hear more welcome
rews than the passing of the free homes
bill.
The bill is as follows
H. R. 996. A bill providing for free
, homesteads Oh the public lands for actua
/. and bonafide settlers, and reserving Tho
y public lands for that purpose. BY Mr.
Eddy, December S, 1899, referred to tn,
committee on public lands and ordered
\ to be printed.
Be it enacted by the senate and hous'
of representatives OF the United State
of America III congress assembled, tha
all settlers under the homestead laws O
the United States upon the public Liant
acquired prior to the passage of this &C
1 by treaty or agreement with the variou
Indian tribes who have or shall resid
upon the tract entered in good faith 70
the period required by existing law, sha
\ be entitled to patent for the land
I entered upon the payment to the locs
land officers of the usual and customar
fees, and no other or further charge {
any kind whatsoever shall be require
y from such settler to entitle him to p;
tent for the land covered by his entr,
\ Provided, that the right to commute sue
4 entry and pay for said lands in the Of
y ton of any such settler and i'll the tin
n and at the prices now fixed by existin
Z laws shall remain in full force and etfec
y Provided, however, that all sums
n money so released which if not release
4 would belong to any Indian tribe sha
y be paid such Indian tribe by the Unite
y States; And, provided further, that in u
q event that the proceeds Of the sales Of Il
3 public lands shall not be sufficient
s meet the payment heretofore provide
= for the agricultural colleges and expei
81 mental stations such deficiency shall
N paid by the United States
< Sec. 2 That all acts or part OF acts
S1 consistent with the provisions OF this
s. are hereby repealed.
q Soon after assembling the house we
~ into committee of the whole to consid
81 the free homes bill. Mr. Eddy OF Nj
= nesota in charge Of the bill, made
- opening speech in favor oft. Mr.. Ed
81 said all party platforms had declared
~ favor of this. Mr.. Flynn of Oklaho
" in adv, eating the bill said 1t was II
- take to suppose that it gave settlers
ices homes. They would have to reside NJ
fed their lands and cultivate them for
ket, wears before securing title.
,irs, Mr.. Maddox of Georgia opposed
oud bill. He said il wouli cost the COVE
nird nent SIS $3.50, goa. ,
I is In reply to a question, Mr.. Eddy $
that the proyiso relative to the agHe