The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-08
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\
that were about 1850 homestead settler:
| that had already entered upon reserva-
| tons that had been thrown open for set
| tiement, had made their homes valuable
| by improvements, by the labor of their
hands, and I was primarily anxious tc
| relieve them from the burden of payment
because the payment which is required by
| statute was absolutely impossible for
| them to make, and if no relief was grant
ed it meant the loss Of their work and
| the value which they themselves created.
Now, in regard to this matter as 10 how
this amendment affects the reservations
that are not already opened by proclama-
ton, understand that certain Indian
reservations have been ceded to the Unit
ed States by legislation, and the provision
for their opening for settlement have been
provided by the terms of the enactment,
and that the only reservations that this
amendment will affect are those which
in the future will require legislation for
their opening Consequently I think it is
better to relieve these settlers and no,
meet the difficulties Of the future until
the legislation necessary for their open
ing comes before the legislative branches
Of this government.
Mr.. MorrfsI wish to say to my COL
league from Minnesota that with that ex-
PLANTATION 1 am entirely satisfied with the
amendment offered by the gentleman
from Illinois.
Mr.. Eddy-Now, Mr.. Chairman, 1 de-
sire to say that this legislation has been
before the house Of representative in
some form or another for more than eight
years. After the opening Of these reser-
vations to the settlement thereon by
homesteaders, this demand for relief from
these burdens has been constantly before
the American house Of Representatives.
This IS the first time that we have been
able 10 get consideration as an independ-
ent measure. The manifest justice OF the
demand Of these settlers is so plain that
every political party, without exception.
in the great national convention of 1g9s-
Mr.. Miers of Indiana-NIr Chairman,
point of order. We have been trying for
two days to get a copy of the report upon
this bill and have been unable to do it,
and we want to hear this discussion
Ihere is so much confusion we cannot
hear The reports have been exhausted.
The Chairman-That is not the fault of
the chair nor of the committee, but the
committee must be in order. Gentlemen
viii take their seats and cease convarsa-
lion.
Mr. Eddy-As I was stating, Mr.. Chair
man, the justice of the demands Of these
homestead settlers upon the public lands
OF the United States on the ceded reser.
Vations was SO plain that every political
convention that assembled in 1886 intro
duced planks in their platforms specif-
caHy declaring for this legislation. The
republican party the democratic party,
the popuist party, all specifically de-
clared in favor of reserving the public
lands OF the United States, no matter how
they came into The possession of the Unit
ed States. for the purposes of homestead
settlement There is not a member on the
floor Of this house. not a single one. who
IS a representative Of any 0 @anized po-
htical party but who was pledged by the
platform Of that party in national con-
vention assembled for the support OF this
measure.
Now, Mr.. Chairman. 1 might go on in
definitely in this matter. I might go on
and show the hardships these homestead
settlers endured; l might go on indefinite.
" and show that the public lands upon
which these homestead settlers have
made their residence came into the Dos
session Of the United States in the same
way that all the rest of the public do
main came into the possession of the
United States. I might go on ana state
that the government Of the United States
IN 1icnnca1 Of
ways; First, by donation to corporations !
n consideration of their building rail |
loads or other public improvements; sec
)nd, donation to the states for educa- |
ional purposes; third, for a cash consid- |
grafton, and fourth, to men who went out |
IN the public domain and made a home !
md cultivated it and resided thereon for |
/ certain portion Of time, receiving pat
INT therefor.
But this case, the case of the home |
stead settlers on a coded reservation, is |
he only one in the history of the govern |
nent where they have been required to |
'ay a double price, the only case where |
hey have required payment Of settlement |
esidence and cultivation and in addition |
hereto a cash consideration. I do rot |
van to occupy the time of the committee |
my longer. Now, Mr.. Chairman, move |
hat the committee do now rise for the |
purpose Of closing general debate.
Mr.. MaddoX-Mr. Chairman, | hope that !
notion will not prevail. because some of |
Is want TO be heard on the other side
# this question
Mr.. Eddy-1 will say TO the gentleman
rom Georgia that when we get into the
louise l am going to move that general |
ebate close IN two hours
Mr.. Maddox-Why can we not agree to
nat now?
Mr. Eddy-You cannot agree to that in !
Committee of the whole
The Chairman-The chair viii say to
he gentleman from Minnesota that gen
lemen can agree TO close general debate
n committee of the whole IL they desire.
Mr. Eddy-Then, Mr.. Chairman. I ask
hat general debate on the bill be closed
Z TWO hours, one-haf of the time to be
ontrolied by myself and the other half
y the gentleman from Georgia (Afr. Mad
Ok
Mr. Cannon-I viii ask my friend if he
aunot make the general debate an hour
no half and then go on under the five
l.Eute rule. 50 that We can make some
rogress on tbs other bin
Mr. Maddox-This is a very important
Ill I VIII agree. TO two hours, giving
ne hour On one side and one on the
Their.
The Chairrnan-The gentleman from
Minnesota asks unanimous consent ma,
ereral debate De closed in two hours.
ne-half TO be controlled by the gentle
lan from Minnesota tMr. Eddy and the