The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-12
OKLAHOMA.
Important Convention az TOpeka-Ths
Resolutions Adopted.

| OKLAHOMA
| Important Convention az Topeka-Ths
Resolutions Adopted.
TOPEKA, KAN, February 4.-Pursuant
| to call issued some time ago, State con
yention Of delegates from the various Okla
hOma colonies in Kansas met here yester-
lay afternoon in Odd Fellows Hall, with
about one hundred gentlemen present.
| Samuel Delman, Chairman of the Topeka
! colony, presided, representing thirteen diff
ferent organizations. Among the more dis
dngulShed gentlemen noticed were Colonel
Couch, W. Il. Eddy, Sidney Clark and P.
NJ. Gilbert. A temporary organization was
effected by the election of Colonel Couch for
Chairman and j. W. Peck of Topeka Secre-
tary. The Committee on Credentials reported
the delegates TO be as follows: w. L. Couch.
j. H. Thoroughman and Z S. Wilcox, of
Oklahoma Territory; W. E. Richie.
E Ii. Sanford, Walter P. Eddy,
Mark Sage, Henry Kinsey; George
Blair, Waiter Sage, Wabaunsee
County; John Hornscheidt Frank Ferrin,
George Heninger, NJ. Marcus, Atchson; P
NJ, Gilbert, Arkansas City; ". H. Osborn,
c. p. Weckmiller, Wichita; II. L. Strong,
Coffeyville; B. S. Walden, Kansas City; ID.
Jacobs Burton, B. /. Stone, Rich Hill; w.
ID. Halfill, COwley County; c. E. Lincoln,
COffeyville; Orrin Worrel, Usage City; John
Armstrong. S. n. Wood, John Carter,
Samuel Dolman and Z. A. Tuttle, Topeka.
After few remarks by Captain Couch in
which he gave quite an interesting account Of
late excitement at Oklahoma, all of which
has been published, the convention adj
jOurned until seven o'clock. At eight o'clock
the convention met in the Senate chamber,
which was crowded to its fullest capacity
with interested spectators. COlOre! Couch
called the convention to order and was
greeted with enthusiastic cheering. In an
swer to loud calls the Colonel made a short
talk about the Oklahoma country. The fol-
lowing resolutions, introduced by Hon. Sid
ney Clark, were adopted:
RcsOlred, That the use of the United States
army TO eXpel men, women and children
from their homes in Oklahoma, who have
settled on lands owned by the Government
and subject to homestead and pre-emptiOn
under the laws of Congress has but one
parallel in history. tO-wit: Free State legis-
lation of Kansas by the United States troops
in 1859. in the old border rf1iian days.
Resolved That we denounce Us an outrage
the use of United States troops to deprive
people of their homes and property without
any warrant of law; that there is no excuse
for the recent exercise of arbitrary power in
the Oklahoma country, and that we denOunce
the invasion of any territory by an armed
force. under any pretenSe as among the
greatest of crimes.
ReSotrcd, That we are opposed to interior
ing with the rights of indians to their lands
existing under the laws or treaties of the
United States. and will not defend men i'm the
violation of their rights, and we demand
also that the protection of the Government
should be extended to esl settlers alike on the
Government lands.
ResoIred, That it is not u crime to settle
upon Government lands but right given to
every American citizen by law; that the In
been GNtlnWulShPd and
the laws of the United States statutes they are
subject to settlement presumption and home
stead.
Resolved. That the bold and lawful stand
taken by Captain Couch and his heroic fol-
Lowers in defense of their homes against ar
bitrary power, entities them to the gratitude
of every friend of constitutional govern
mcnt.
RcSOIred, That the action of the President
of the United States in ordering Colonel
Hatch to shoot down men, women and chill
dren, whose only crime was desire to Oc.
cupy Government lands, is an outrage that
would disgrace the worst monarchies of the
old world.
Rssoircd, That we have right under the
laws of the United States to settle and 90
cupy Government lands and by the Eternal
we arc going to do it.
ResOlred, That all dispatches sent by the
Associated Press agent Vt Caldwell relating
to the status or settlement of the Oklahoma
lands, and charging that there are no cattle
men holding large herds of stock enclosed
by fence on said lands are wilfully false and
calculated to miSlead the public.
S. \. Wood offered resolutions as follows,
which were also adopted and the meeting
adjourned:
RcSOlCed That committee of five be ap-
pointed by the chair TO prepare and pub
lSh an address to the people OF the United
States defining the position of the oklahoma
cOlOniSts on the settlement OF the Oklahoma
lands.
ReSoIred, That said committee be author
zed 10 present the case of the settlers seek
ing homes in Oklahoma to the President of
rotary of the Interior, and Commissioner of
he General Land Office, and demand in the
name of the people of the United States
seeking homes on Government lands that
hey be not molested in settling on such
ands in the Oklahoma country as do not be
Ong to any Indian tribe.
ResOlred. That we demand that all con
tracts made with Indians for leasing large
tracts of land to large corporations be de
,lared invalid, made in violation of law, and
hat if such lands are not needed for the Oc-
of Indians, that they be purchased
If the Indians as other lands have been and
hen opened to actual settlers only.
RCSOtred, That we demand that all unearned
and grants to railroads shall be forfeited
md restored to the public domain and held
Ior actual settlers only; that our thanks are
lue the House of Representatives in Wash
ngton for the passage of laws restoring
ome 10,0000OJ acres of the public domain to
lctual settlers; that the United States Senate
n refusing TO pass land bills proves that the
senate represents the corporations and not
he people.