Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-06-11
Il Big FOB.
FIFTY THOUSAND KANSAS FARMERS TO
BE swINDLED-sEyES MILIIoa DOL
LARS THE STAKE

FIFTY THOUSAND KANSAS FARMERS TO
BE swINDLED-sEyEs MILuoH DOL.
LARS THE STAKE.
WASHINGTON, May 30-Sone thirty
seven years ago the Natiou.l Govern
ment held in trust for the Cherokee
Indians the sum Of s2O0ttq in gold,
and having use for about that sum
appropriated it, giving the Cherokees
instead deed to 100000 acres ofland
in what is now Southern Kansas.
This tract of land was never occupied
by the Cherokees, but was held in trust
for them by the nationfl government,
supposing that the rise n value would
fully equal the interest on the sum paid.
Meanwhile it was taken possession of
and improved by settlers, who, finding
IT vacant, supposed they could acquire
titles to it under the pre-emption OF
homestead law. Itwas estimated that
$4,000 settlers occupied thai portion
Of Kansas year ago, and the number
has been rapidly increasing since.
In 1866 the Cherokees applied TO the
Secretary ofthe Interior, Rev Harlan,
for permission to sell the land IN ques-
ton, offering il first TO the Govern.
ment for $4,000 currency, or s200,.
600 less than first cost if you take the
interest and depreciation of currency
into consideration. Ii could readily
have been resold to the settlers occt.
pying it in tracts Of l60 acres each, al
the rate of sl25 per acre, orsl, 000, 90.
for the whole, thus repaying the Gov
ernment for outlay, expense Of survey.
ing, etc.
An arrangement or treaty was final.
ly made by which the Secretary ol
the Interior was TO have the land ap.
praised by commission and sold to
the settlers at its appraised value, OF
be might sell it in a body for a sum
not less than SS00,000 cash.
As the land was considered by good
judges to be worth from 81 SOC, 900 to
s., ,O00, 900, Mr. Secretary did not lei
much grass grow under bis feet before
selling it TO the American Emigrant
Company Of Connecticut, Of which
Mr.. John Williams, the author Of The
national bank system, was general
agent. for S25, 900 cash downGnd S775,,
600 on long credit.
The sale WAS prOiiOuncod by cha At.
torney General illegal and void, and
Mr.. Browning, after taking control oi
the department, resOld the land to one
Mr.. Joy, Of Detroit, whose right to II
was contested by the Emigrant Com.
pany Having, however, reconciled
their differences, both contestantsarc
now putting forth every effort 10 get
the Senate to legalize the FIST sale.
This tract OF land is nearly equal to
a principality. Towns have grown NJ
within its boundaries, and much of il
is now improved farms worth $50 pei
acre. If these sharpers get title to
the land the settlers, or a large portion
of them, viii be at their mercy-obli
ged TO pay whatever avaricious specu.
latOrs may demand, or leave theii
homestead. ltis not likely that these
hcartless lobbyists will demand o.
their victims less than $40 per acre OF
an average, which viii bring the enor
nous sum Of s., ,000, ,000-being q profit
ofs7200, 600 on an investment OF $500
600. This land having been placed in
the hands Of the Government IN trusi
for sale, it was the imperative duty
of the Secretary Of the Interior tG
have offered it first TO the settler.
who had enriched it. If they refuset
10 buy the sharpers might then hav,
had a chance. Such a straightfor.
ward, honest course, however, would
have left no chance for the lobby 20
bctweens TO make 81 100000.
One very peculiar feature of this
transaction is that it is all fixed up in
secret session of the Senate, the House
having no knowledge Of the mattel
AT any stage Of the proceedings.
MN