The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-04-29

THE KAw LANDS.-A very deep interest is
felt by the people Of Americas in the struggle
in Congress over the Kaw Indian lands. The
near proximity of these lands to this place, and
their beng of such quality TO guarantee the
immediate settlement of n Ia ge portion of the
tract, If placed within the reach of men oflim-
tied means, render it of the utmost importance
to the growth OF the town, and the develop
ment of the surrounding country, that this
question be disposed Of at once. AS we I'M
derstand it, at least three separate interests
at work for the possession of the Kaw lands.
LIST, the NJ, X. & T. R. R. Co.; I'd, some East
ern specializing party, and Sd, an influential
party, inside of Congress and out, that seek to
have the land sold by the Government to actual
settlers only. Discussions are frequent, among
the citizens, as to which of these parties would
most benefit the actual settlers, and therefore
the country, should it become possessed of
these lands. Some believe the railroad COM
pany would do most in the way of settling up
these lands, while others claim that it would
be best if the settlers could get them direct
from the Government. But nearly all agree
that 1t is desirable to have the matter settled
one way or the other, instead of its remaining
as it is at present, in a condition to do no one
any good. In our humble opinion, taking the
past as an illustration, it would be to the best
interests, not only Of the bona fde settlers, but
OF the country generally, to have the railroad
company get the Kaw lands. We judge so
from what we have actually seen in the settle
ment of this valley. When we first came into
this valley, twelve years ago, all the lands in
thIs country, except tire Indian reservation,
were open for settlement, and men were rush
ing upon claims all over the country, building
themselves cabins and breaking patches of
ground, ostensibly to become actual settlers,
and to make themselves permanent homes.
Some of those men sold out their claims when
they could get big price for them, but most OF
them held on until they could enter their land
and get good title thereto. That done, large
| numbers went back to the States they came
from, and held their land for rise, or sold to
spectators who did the same thing. Every
one here knows that many of the finest quarter
sections of land in this valley are to-day held
by such persons, keeping out the actual settler,
and hIndering the development of the country.
| Between Americas and Allen creek is a large
tract of as fine country as there Is in the Neo-
shO Valley, nearly all of which is held by non
residents, who will sell only for cash, at such
figures exclude it from the market. The
actual settler of this county to-day, generally
bought their lands from second hands. Sup
| pose the Kaw lands should be thrown open tt
| actual settlement now, what would be the re.
| suit? We had an illustration, short time since
Of what would follow. Not long ago report
| came that bill had passed Congress giving tbs
| lands to the settlers, and perfect scramble
| took place to see which could first get to the
best claims, and in a few hours every quarter
| section that contained timber was occupied
Let any one who knows the men who tool
| those claims answer the question as to how
many of them would have become permanent
| settlers. 1t was Il wetlknown fact that three
| fourths of these men intended to remain o.
their claims just long enough to get title
| when their lands would either be offered TO
sale, for cash at high figures, or else held for
rise. Would not such be the case now? Oh
the other hand, the railroad company sells it
| lands to men of whom it requires an obligation
to improve the same, and convert them int
farms. And it sells on long time. thus givini
actual settlers an opportunity to invest thei
money in improvements upon the land, and il
stock, and to pay for their land out of thei
profits. Now, we are not writing for bt,RconlbC
We have labored for years best We could, t
aid in settling up tins country, and we nov
/ propose to take the interest of Americas an
vicinity the main object, and to advocat
such policy as sill be most likely TO redoun
to their advantage. People will speculate i
land when they can, either individually or i
combinations. The only difference to the bon
fde settler as to who he buys Irom, is in til
matter of the terms he can buy upon. If til
railroad company will sell just as cheap, an
give long time, as the individual will with a
cash down, the company will sell the mo:
, land, and induce the greater settlement. An
the settlement is what we want. r.