New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-20
RAILROADS AND THE INDIAN TERRITORY.
SECRETARY scHURz's REPLY TO THE SENATE RESo-
LUTON.
GENERAL PRESS D!sPATcHl

GENERAL PRESS DsPATCHl
WASHINGTON, March 19.-ln response to the
Senate resolution Of tho 11th instant Offered by MI
CoekreID calling for Information as 70 all apphcauonS
made by railroad companies or corporations LOT au :"
the Indan Territory and the Interior Departments ac
o, thereon and for certified copies OF all patents Issued
IN Indian tribes IN that Territory Secretary schurZ To-Day
transmitted to the Senate a report from the CominiS
soner of the General Land Office, nelosing exemphea
ons from the records OF the patents Issued respectively
TO the Cherokee Nation in 1885, 10 tho Choctaw Nation
in 1912 and to the Creek Nation in 1852. The Secretary
saws Relative that portion OF the resolution Whicn
calls for copies Of each and all applications flied In said
denarmen by any and all railroad companies or corpor
aiions claiming lands said Indian Territory under acts
of Congress authority together Win the il ac
ton and proceedings OF his department thereon Com
missioner Williamson reports that no applications OF
the nature stated on the files OF this office"
He continues as foOws The Missouri Kan
sos and Texas Railway Company formerly the
Union Pacific Railway Company, Southern Branch have
fl ed maps Of the denite location Of the main line from
the northern 10 the southern boundary OF the territory
and OF branch line from point on the main line to
Fort Smith Arkansas also maps sho wing the construc-
top Of the main line No action has been taken on
said maps concerning lands in the Territory SO FAR as
the files and records Of this Office show the company has
never set up any nnal claim TO land within tho
Territory.
"The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company NOW
the ST. LOUIS and Francisco Ra way Company have
filed maps of definite location OF its main line through
ont from the eastern the western boundary and a
branch line point IT, main line IN the valley OF
the Canadian River the eastern boundary also maps
showing the constructed main line from the eastern
boundary 10 Vnita No action has been taken thereon
"On September 3, 1877, there was received
at this office, by reference from the depart
ment for report n letter from W. H. Cofiin, pres
ident OF the company demanding withdrawal OF and
patens for lands the Territory for the benefit OF the
grant and on September Of the same there was
by similar reference for report letter from
the Attorney General. dated September D, 1871 trans
mittng petition OF the company. filed in the Court OF
Claims in suit aganst q United States for damages
arising from the failure Of the United States TO ertin
eush the Indian title lands along the companys road
I'm the said Territory ETC. careful examination OF the
files aud records OF the office dscoscs nothing further
concerning the subject matter OF the resolution.
commissioner williamson holds that the claim OF The
Atlantic and Pac1c Railway Company 10 have the
lands along their lines through te Indian Territory
vrv.d and pacnted To them under the Act OF July ~
1866 l. without foundation or warrant. II my be
stated as a TACT without argument. that lands ~ the
Indian Territory not tue public lands IN the usIdl
r,cauiuc of the term. | um farther TED to the
conclusion that grant OF lands IN The Indian Terri
tory was contemplated by the act except such ~ might
r acquired hy company from hc lndin holder and
occupants by the terms Oi The scNritcrntn sccuon'