The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-17
HOPES NEVER HIGHER
For Free Homes Than at Yes
terday's Meeting,
WHEN EARNEST WORKERS
Met at Ell Reno--President
Morgan's Ringing Address.
WHEN EARNEST WORKERS

Ell Reno, o. T., Feb 1s.-There was a
large attendance at the free homes con-
vention today. The number Of delegates
in attendance was 200, Jake Admire led
the delegation from Kingisher. Tom
Ferguson. Watonga; Senator Ravens,
Enid; ]. p. Renshaw, Medford; Sidney
Clarke, Oklahoma City, and Frank Green,
Guthrie. headed big delegations. The
convention met at Il O'Clock, with Dick
It. Morgan. president Of the Territorial
Free Homes League, in the chair. The
address of welcome was delivered by
Mayor T. F. Hensley. A committee Of
one from each county was appointed to
draft resolutions, part Of which resolu-
tons are:
Resolved, That the convention respect
fully but earnestly ask that the free
homes legislation now pending before
congress be passed at once and the same
be made effective at the earliest day
practicable.
Resolved, That we, irrespective of all
political affiliations indorse and express
our thanks to our delegate in congress,
Hon Dennis 7. Flynn, for his earnest eff
forts in congress, to secure the passage
of the free homes measure now pending
Speeches were made by Jake Admire,
Tom Ferguson. Senator Havens, S. NJ.
Baines, Sidney Clark and I. y. Norris.
The utmost enthusiasm prevailed and
everybody is sure the bill will pass the
senate. The convention adjourned to meet
when the bill passes, for the purpose of
ratifying.
President Dick T. Morgan's address To
the convention was as follows:
Members of the Free Home League
convention: AS the president OF the Free
Home League of Oklahoma, it becomes
my duty to say a few words to this con-
vention You will understand the OBJ
ject OF this meeting. You are here TO aid
in securing for the homesteaders Of Okla
houa, justice The Free Home League is
p non-partisan organization. We meet
here today simply as American citizens.
We proclaim our allegiance to the ma
tionaI government, our devotion to its
free institutions, and our loyalty to its
flag. We ask nothing except what is
fair, just, right and honorable.
OBJECTION TO PRESENT LAWS.
'.Iyy many particulars the laws applica-
bile to the lands in Oklahoma are objec-
tionabfe. They deserve severe criticism.
They are not based upon any principle.
They follow no rule. They conform TO
no system Like the earth before the
creation Of light, they are without form
and. If not void, should be made so. With
one single exception, that Of old Okla
homa, the government has persistently
applied one rule. The settlers have been
required to pay for the lands. 1 cannot
account for this exception, unless 1t was
made TO prove the rule
What are some of the prominent OBJ
jections to these laws?
''First-The system of payment requir-
ed from homestead settlers in Oklahoma
is an abrogation of the main and distin-
gushing feature Of the homestead law.
This is an unfair discrimination against
the Oklahoma settlers. They are EMIT
led TO the same privileges granted to
settlers in other territories and states
of the west. The various laws applica-
bic TO the lands in Oklahoma are mis- |
leading. Without exception these statutes |
provide that the lands shall be opened |
to settlement under the provisions Of !
the homestead law But it is a mis- |
homer To say that the lands shall be !
opened under the provisions OF the /
homestead law and then add clause !
that effectuaIly takes out the very heart |
of that law. To call this the homestead /
l.,
your house and then putting him to bed |
in stable. The only provisions of the !
homestead law retained are its burden |
some features. They call it the home /
stead law, but il is not. It may have /
the words-the voice OF the homestead /
law, but IL has the hairy hands Of the (
old presumption law, requiring the lands (
TO be purchased. The fact is. congress (
crushed out OF the homestead law all the 4
palataole. juicy part and threw II II the /.
homestead settlers Of Oklahoma, for their Z
mastication, for five years, nothing but
the rind
''Second-The law IS not fair as be- /
tween the settlers upon the lands opened
to settlement April ., 1889. and the set
tiers upon lands subsequently opened.
generally as old Oklahoma, constitute /
seven Of the best and richest counties in (
the territory The homestead law with I
out the heart taken out was applied to
these lands. The government charged
these settlers nothing for these lands. az /
ter five yeaUs Of residence, cultivation
and Improvement These lands. too
were purchased Of the Indians Why
should greater liberality have been shown .
TO these settlers than TO settlers in other .
portions Of our territory? Why should .
these lands be free. and payment be re-
Quired for lands not nearly so valuarle2
No reason can be given. Think Of the
utter a6surdity OF this great republic.
founded upon justice. upon equal rlehts .
TO aI and especial privileges 10 none. (
giving away its lands in the rich east
ern counties OF our territory. and requi-- (
ing the settlers in the western part OF .
the territory 10 pay for their lands. It
Is not only unfair and unjust, but such q
policy Is unworthy this grest govern (
ment.
''Third-The laws are unjust as be- .
tween different sections OF cur territory,
as 10 the amounts charged for the lands.
The lands IN lincoln county. opened TO .
settlement September %. 1891. cost sta5
per acre. The lands in Pawnee. Noble +
and Kay counties, opened TO settlement .
September 10. 1898, must be purchased al