Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-08
.Instice tn the Indians.

Notwithstanding the solemn treaty Cd
legations which the government IS under
to protect the Indians in their possession
Of the lands of the Indian Territory they
are in danger of losing their lands ran
road companies which have secured tne
right of way through the Territory, caItIe-
men who have leased lands in the IerrlVO-
nv for grazing purposes, and actual SET
tiers who are looking for new locations are
all anxious to have the Territory opened
to settlement. The four great states that
hound the Territory-Kansas, Missouri,
Arkansas and Texas-are insisting that
the barriers which keep the Territory
practically a wilderness shall be broken
down.
The influences and arguments in favor
of opening the Territory to settlement are
strong. and doubles will prevail finally,
but 1t is evident that they ought not TO
prevail unless with the consent Of the In
dams, and unless they are dealt with
justly.
There is no doubt that the leases by
which cattlemen hold vast tracts OF graz
ing lands in the Territory, and tor which
they pay only two cents an acre year,
are unlawful, although they have the
sanction of the Secretary of the Interior.
1t would be a very difficult undertaking
to get these cattlemen out OF the Territory.
There is a very strong suspicion that some
Of the Senators are interested in their con-
tracts. That being the case 1t would not
be an easy matter to annul the
leases. If the leases are permitted
to stand it is fair to presume that other
| leases will be made and that it will not be
very long before the best lands Of the Ter
ritOry will be under the control of cattle
companies. While the cattlemen are
| gaining a fOothOld under the sanction OF
| the government those who are moved by
the same purposes that influenced Capt
/ PAYNE and his followers will not be idle
| Can't. PAYNE is dead, but his place has
been taken by one of his lieutenants, and
another raid on the Territory may shortly
be expected. While there is scarcity Of
land suitable for cattle ranges, there are
millions of acres of excellent land yet
unoccupied which is held by railroad
companies which never earned theil
grants. These grants ought to be forfeited
to the government at once.
Unless it is the desire of the Indians TIRE
government ought not to sanction any
leases. contracts or settlements in the
| Territory that would tend to weaken the
possession of the Indians. Before the
government is influenced by the cry fol
| cheap homes to undertake to open the
Territory it ought to take possession o
the unearned land grants and offer then
to settlers. When there begins to be al
actual scarcity of land for settlers it viii
be time to think about insisting thai
the Indians shall enjoy exclusively
| the Indian Territory. Even then care
| should be taken to respect all the rights
of the Indians, and to pay for the land;
what they are really worth. If, however
! cattIemen, railroads and land grabber;
are allowed to enter the Territory under
color of law, it will not be long before L
| will be impossible to deal with the Indians
with that Justice and fairness to which
they are entitled. The actual condition
of affairs in the Territory will be brought
out, probably, by the resolution of in
! Guirv which has been offered by Senator
I