The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-05-18
PRESIDENT
Signs the Free H.mes Bill and
Makes it Law.

WASHINGTON, MAY 1.-THE house
today passed a special river and harbor
bill, carrying 100000 for surveys and
emergency work.
After several unsuccessful efforts to Sc
cure amendments providing for addition
al surveys, the committee arose and the
bill was passed.
The house then took up the Alaskan
code bill.
After disposing Of four of the 617 pages
Of the bill the house at 4:55 p. m, ad-
journed.
State Capital Bureau 42 F., St, N. w
WASHINGTON MAY 1.-THE Free
Homes bill has become a law Of the
land.
Today President Mckinley signed the
bill that means so much prosperity for
Oklahoma and the western states, and.
in so doing, returned to the provi im5
of the original homestead law, meas
ure that has contributed more THAI any
other law, to the development o, this
country, and has been the means Of
placing the United States at the head
of the procession of the nations of the
world.
The delegations Of seators and repre-
sentatives, who called on the president
in the interests of the bill were sum
moned 20 the executive mansion by tele-
phone today, to witness the president a.
fix his signature to the BILL and close the
| last act in the long and successful. tght
for the rights of the settlers on the pub
lie domain.
Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock. af-
ter a careful perusal of the m2sIre
heartily recommend the bill to the
president and Joined in the general tx
preston of congratulations to Delegate
D. T. Flynn, and the other members of
| congress who had been instrumen2 Il in
securing the passage of this just law.
When the delegation arrived at the ex-
ecutive mansion they were welcomed ny
the president who, after shaking hands
with each member said:
Gentlemen of the Free Homes Legl-
tion--Forty years ago the immortal In
coin signed the first homestead ava
measure that has done more for the de-
velopment of this country than all ot'.-
ers combined-and it gives me great
pleasure to affix my signature - this
BILL and thus restore policy that has
conferred inestimable blessings and r'os-
perity on millions Of citizens of thu great
West"
Delegate d. T. Flynn responded and
said: Mr.. President, for the thousands
o settlers who are benefited by this
bill, and who are given their rights by
it's provisions, let me thank you and the
congress of the United States. El n Of
100000 settlers, occupying $4,000 home
steads in the great West, gives you not
only heartfelt thanks, but assures you
through me, of their everlasting eraIi-
tude for this equitable law, and all pray
that happiness and prosperity NAV al
ways be yours"
In response President Mckinley said
II thank you FOR your kind words and
the best response I can make is to say
that 1t gives me great pleasure to sig'l
the bill and do equity to a class OF citi-
zens that has made this country grand
and famous"
The president then signed the Free
Homes bill and after affxing his Official
signature, he presented the pen 10 "Sena.
tor Flynn, OF Oklahoma as a sou n'l
of the occasion. Mr.. Flynn accepted the
gift, but was too much overcome TO re-
ply.
Senator Gamble, in conclusion, thankol
the president in behalf Of the settlers
of the northwest, TO which the presidne
made fitting response and the incidcn'
closed
Representative Payne said, as the dele
cation was leaving the White I.nuse
that the signing Of the bill by the 'Iresi
dent would make Oklahoma a reDubli
can state for years TO come sydney
| Clarke OF Oklahoma C1tv who ioineA