Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-06
Congress Considering Buy
ing Indian Lands.
MAY OPEN RESERVATION
Land Comprises 416,ooo Acres and viii
Cost $1,o4o, ,ooo-Hard Fight Against
Measure Anticipated in the House.
Bill Is Already Introduced.
Washington Bureau the Courier.
Washington, March g.

1t is quite probable subcommittee
of the house committee on Indian af-
fairs will take up this afternoon the.
consideration OF the proposition to
purchase from the Indians; of the
Rosebud agency.-in South Dakota.
their surplus of unallotted lands. in
Gregory county. amounting to 100000
acres, at the stipulated price of $3.50
per acre. calling for an appropriation
of $1,040,000.
Both Senator Gamble and Congress
man Burke have been working upon
this proposition for several months,
with the result that the senate COM
mlrtee has made favorable report
and the prospect for similar report
from the house committee is consider
ed very good. However, both Senator
Gamble and Congressman Burke fear
for the bill introduced in both senate
and house when the question comes
up for consideration.
The bills, which are identical. pro-
vide for direct appropriation OF the
amount mentioned to be paid in i've
annual irstallments. Upon the com
pletion of the treaty and the passage
of the bill there lands will be thrown
open to homesteaders. The usual
conditions prevail it being required
that the homesteader shall reside up
on and cultivate the land for period
of five years, whereupon he shaH re-
ceive a clear title thereto.
The South Dakota congressman an
ticirate hard fight against the bill
| in the house Congressman Cannon,
who holds the throttle on the treasury,
| is notoriously opposed to any appro.
priation for the Indians and let's such
Legislation pass under protest. it is
said, and that he will vigorously bat
tile against this measure which ;appro
PIRATES more than million dollars
! for land which in turn the government
proposes to give away to settlers, goes
without saying.
/ The South Dakota congressman
propose to make the best fight they
can on that line, however, ami II they
unable to do better. may consent tc
change the bill so as to provide thai
the settler shall pay back to the gov
ernment the amount paid to- the In
dians-$250 per acre. This will be
last resort and may not be neces
sary.
1t is proposed to endeavor to get the
free home bill through tha house
Failing in this the bill will 'Oe amend
ed SO as to require the $3.50 per acre
payment. 1t is not thought there viii
be serious opposition to this measure
as it will involve no raid or the treas
ury The bill then goes 10 the sen
ate and in the north end of the cap
itol the friends OF the free home:
propositionhopea and expect. to achieve
the end that they may be unable to az
complish in the house. The bill vii
be amended so as to place it practica
ly upon it's original footing in tn
house. 1t is thought likely it will
pass the senate in this form. o
course the house will nion-concur il
! the senate amendments and the bill
will go to conference.
What will be accomplished whe
the three managers for the house ant
the three for the senate get togethe
cannot be forecasted at his time, bu
lit is notorious fact thE(t the senat
wins out far oftener thsln the house