Speech #520061705

I call his attention to the fact that this officer states that the sum which he recommends for surveys is "the lowest estimate that can be made that will meet the demands and keep pace with the progress of settlement." The surveyorgeneral for the State of Washingtonthat great State which is now filling u] with imnmigrants and homeseekers from every State and Territory of this Unionthe surveyorgeneral of that great State says: The estimate of si3.00 for. surveying public lands is submitted as necessary for the survey of lands that may be settled upon_ and occupied in part by actual settlers. and for surveys from which the State of Washington may mitke selection of lands granted by the enabling act of February 22. t889. And the suveyorgeneral for the State of Wyoming states. thatApplications come to the office from all portions of the unsurveyed districts . asking for the extension of the sJrveys. Finally. in conclusion. the Secretary says: It will be seen from the foregoing extracts that the needs of actual settlers on the lands are of such a pressing character that to survey but a small percentage of the area now being settled upon by the great immigration which is spreading over the great West. will require an afpropriation largely in excess of the amount contemplated by the pending item for public surveys in the sundry civil hill. Now. will the gentleman from Indiana. the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations. give me his attention for a moment while. I ask him how it is possible that he. as a. good business man. as a man who holds dear to his heart the best interest s of this country and especially of that western portion of it which is so rapidly settling up. how he can listen to these appeals and yet close his ears to these demands of pressing necessity and al-.