The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-06-19
Col. Lounsberry's Washington Letter

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Washington. d. c.. June 15.- TO The
Forum: Mr.. Hanna's bin for the
opening OF that portion of the Ber-
thold Indian reservation lying east of
the Missouri river is fashioned after
other bills that have been passed pro-
viding for the opening Of reserva-
tions. It protects the homes of all In
dians and their allotments to be made
under the general law, and provides
for the appraisement of the unallotted
land, and its purchase by settlers at
the appraised value. The appraise-
ment is to be made by three persons,
one to be an actual resident Of the
state of North Dakota, one member
of the Berthold Indian tribe, and one
an emDloye of the department. Of the
interior. One fifth OF the purchase
price is to be paid when the ilome-
stead Is filed, and the remainder in
five annual payments. After fourteen
months actual residence, the full
amount may be paid on Communication
proof. The Indians are to receive
$3.50 an acre for sixteen and thirty
six, and the appraised value for all
other lands not covered by Indian
homes or allotments.
Bitter opposition has developed
among the Indians to the opening and
they have appealed to Mr.. Gronna to
help save them from what they feel
is the unwarranted appropriation of
their land. 1t has, therefore. been ar
ranged for meeting or conference
with the Indians sometimes during the
course Of the summer, at which Mr..
bennett will be present on behalf Of
the general landoffice. and will ex-
plain the provisions of the bill and
note any objections that may be Of
fered. No action will be taken, until
they have been heard. and none is
likely to be taken that will not be
perfectly satisfactory TO them. No
action whatever will be taken by con-
gress until December. The house
committees have not been appointed
and no business will be attempted at
this session beyond the tariff bill.
Mr.. Gronna advises me that he has
assurances from the postoffice depart
ment that general county delivery will
be attempted in fifteen counties in
North Dakota, beginning with Cass
and Trail counties, to be followed by
other leading counties Mail will be
delivered from the county seat on all
of the main travelled roads, extending
to the remotest portions of the coun-
ty. BY the way Mr.. Gronna says
he was not aware that his political
fences needed any repairing; that
aside from one Saturday evening visit
to Grand Forks he was not out Of
Nelson county when at home, and that
he has not announced to any one wnat
action he is likely to take in connec-
ton with the governorship or any 9TH
er office; that he certainly has not de-
clined; that he will do the best he
can for his constituents in his pres
ent position and not worry himself
about his political future.
Kit Carson Post G.. A. r. has initial
ed movement for reception and
entertainment to be given in honor Of
Senator McCumber at an early date.
and several other G. A. r. posts have
already Joined in the movement. All
of the G. "A. r. posts in the city, some
twenty. will take part
There was very general regret that
Senator Hansbrough separated himself
from the office he held by virtue of
his employment by the senate COM
mittee. 1t took nerve, to give up even
$4,000 position, but there is prob
ably something back Of it that mas
not yet been developed, but will come
out In few weeks, in the form of a
political romance, which it Is under
stood will be ready within the next
ninety days. Much Of the matter is
said to be already in the hands of
the publisher.
Senator Hansbrougns pen can prob
ably earn more than $4,000 a year
while his health holds out. He intends
to make North Dakota his home and
spend most of his time in the state.
1t is denied that he mas business rela-
tions with ex- Senator Pettigrew. BY
the way + met Mr.. Pettigrew in
Washington few days ago. He sends
warm greeting to his hosts of
friends in Dakota. He says he is sat-
isfled that there is a republican party
in congress but finds it mighty hard
to find where the democrats are at.
1t will be remembered thas there was
a jolly lot of republican senators who
voted for free lumber while the
democrats voted against 1t. 1t would
be a surprise if Mr.. Bryan did not
scold.
/ noticed a typographical error in
The Forums account of Mr. Nohle's
work in Washington in connection
with the Yellowstone project. 1t was
made to appear that ne wanted ten
acre farm unit He protested against
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