The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-05
GAMBLE SPEAKS
FOR KINKAID BILL
BELIEVES IT MEANS GREAT AND
PERMANENT DEVELOPMENT,
Great Sioux Reservation Will Be Filed
Upon in 640-Acre Tracts and the Two
Rich Sections Of the State United by
Lines of Railroads-Preseut Methods
Given Fair Trial.

Yankton, 5. D., Jan. 5.-In South Dakota the
tiers in the Gamble Martin bill to increase home
steads in the western part of the state to GAO
acres. 1t is to South Dakota by far the most
important piece of legislation since her admis-
sion as a state. In an interview Senator Gam
BILE said:
''rhe great Sioux reservation was opened to
settlement ttn men on Feb: 10, 1890. It embraced
ering 6s7 900 acres have been made on these
lands, within what was formerly this reserva-
ton In other words. after the lapse of prac-
tically fifteen years, only per cent Of these
lands have been reduced to private ownership
under existing laws.
-"In addition to the acreage upon which final
proof has been made, there are filings pending
and uncanceled upon this reservation covering
substantially, 1882, 900 acres. Undoubtedly, I'M
der the present land laws final proof will not be
made on many Of these filings. At least, such
has been the history of prior filings these par
ticular lands
''To restate the condition Of the operation Of
existing land laws affecting this reservation,
"a per cent Of the lands has been reduced to
private ownership or have been fled upon, altho
they have been open to settlement for the period
above named. 1t would be but reasonap Die to as
sumo that the more desirable lands have been
taken.
HAS not fair trial been had looking to the
settlement, occupation and development Of this
vast area under the present law? 1t cannot be
said that it has met with high degree of sue
cess.
ELSEWHERE, lands have wonderfully appre-
| cated in value, and conditions in every way have
been most favorable. There has been large
influx of population and material development
and substantial growth in wealth. SURPRISING in
per capita production that Of any other state in
| the union. Under such conditions, we would nat
urally expect these lands to be eagerly sought
| for and especially so for the additional reason
that at the time this reservation, was opened
substantially all the lands on the east side Of
| the river had been taken.
| ''In addition to the great Sioux Reservation
there opened to settlement thru the Black
Hills treaty of April IL 1877 substantially
open to the settler for twenty-eight years, a
very limited amount has been taken. Out Of
this cession there was created by executive
order, in 1897 the Black Hills forest reserve.
The state has selected within this cession a
large amount Of endowment lands, and Is greatly
interested in its settlement and development.
II have not the full data as to the acreage
formation is that 1t is very limited in COMPARE
! son with the Of the cession The two reSer-
vations originally comprised practically 1885,
600 acres.
at is a matter Of the highest concern to the
state to have these lands occupied and this vast
region developed. The legislation proposed, I
| believe will bring about the desired result.
| Gin the settlement Of the lands east of the
| river, as we'll elsewhere. not only was the
settler allowed under the laws then in force.
to take homestead, but presumption and tim
| Der claim. This gave him an opportunity to Sc
cure from the government 4s0 acres. The law
allowing presumption and timber claim Is nc
| longer in force.
1.-THE privileges proposed to be given under this
law, under the conditions existing, to my MIND
are far less generous than under the former
statutes. The bill provides that the secretary Of
the interior shall withdraw all lands which, In
his opinion, may be reasonably practicable To-
irrigation by the national government or by pri
vate enterprise. 1t has no application to for
est reserves, to existing indian reservations, OF
lands within Gregory county.
"The settler is permitted to take $40 acres
under the proposed law. He cannot commute
his entry. but is required to live for five year,
upon the land and place permanent improvements
theron of the value Of not less than $1.25 al
acre. Certain preference rights are given tt
those settlers already within the territory de
scribed to take additional land contiguous tt
their present homestead, but not in excess Of thu
amount provided in the bill. .
1.-THE bill has been drawn with great care, ant
its purpose is to give homes for actual hom'
builders. and by providing for the large are
in the homestead to encourage settlement ant
development of this particular locality. Th
purpose is to reduce this extensive area region t
I actual settlement, and make possible its develop
ment under the more favorable conditions I'm
posed Its objects are to prevent as far a
! possible the acquiring Of large holdings by cat
/ tlemen or otherwise, and in every way to pre-
| serve 1t for the actual home builder.
''For the major part of thirty years, the cattle
men have been in actual control 1t Is now pre-
posed to give the individual opportunity t
enter the land under such conditions that he ca
hope for success and make his settlement perma
nent and secure. By every safeguard land me
nopoly Will be avoided as Tar as Legislation ma
do ...
:. II have confidence in the operation Of the prt
. posed measure. and believe it means great an
; permanent development Of that part of the state
: Altho there has been great production Of cattl
:, In that part Of the state, believe, under th
: changed conditions. the production of livestoc
= will be immeasureably increased With til
!. settlement and development which this law wi
| bring, railroad extensions will surely follow an
,: unite the different sections Of the state whic
l for many years has been 30 earnestly desire
n by our people. a..... ,-..'.
g ''The Kinkaid law, after which this measui
r is patterned, altho not In operation long, seen
q to have worked satisfactorily. and is approve
: by the farming and commercial interests Of tt
= state in which it is operative. I am informt
the cattle interests oppose it. and seek its mod
hcation.
"The settlement and development Of that pa
= ticular section Of the state will not only az
= to It's population and wealth, but will encou
- age and hasten the opening OF the surplus al
= unsettled lands not used by the Indians in Il
g same locality. This in itself would add Ii
n mensely to the wealth and resources Of o.
RI ! = -