The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-15
AFFAIRS AT THE CAPITAL.
Friends Of the Oklahoma Boomers Urge
a Temporary Halt in Operations.
The Recent Changes in Postal Rates-The
New Assistant Secretary of State-llard
Times Ahead for National Banks.
THE OKLAHOMA LANDS.
Letter from Sidney Clarke and j. II. Weaver
to the Intending Settlers.

Letter from Sidney Clarke and j. Ii. Weaver
to the Intending Settlers.
WASHINGTON, March l4.--In view of the procla-
nation of the President relating to the Okla
homa country, Gen. James B. Weaver Con
gressmanelcct from Iowa, and o. Congressman
Siduey Clarke, of Kansas representing the
Oklahoma settlers, have sent the following tele
gram
WASHINGTON, March Ia
Capt. w, L. Couch Arkansas City. Kan:
The President is of the opinion that further
negotiations with the Creeks and Semnoes, as
contemplated by the recent action of
Congress- is necessary to authorize
the settlement of Oklahoma His
proclamation yesterday is intended to eject the
cattle syndicate on one hand and to suspend,
ON the other, the settlement OF the country
Pending negotiations, we have earnestly urged
upon the Secretary OF the Interior, III view Of
the exigencies of the situation. to proceed at
once to conclude the negotiations with com
mission Of Representatives, of the settlers. We
deem it best for all parties to await this con-
templated action. 1t must be understood that
the corrupt conspiracy by which the lands
in the Oklahoma country, and the whole
Indian Territory have been illegally occupied by
the cattle kings, is strongly defended here by
powerful financial influences This conspiracy
has been for years, and is now represented here
by persons holding high positions in the
government. These men, having &C
cess to the avenues Of public opinion
and privileges, and constant communication
with all departments of the government are
persistent in their misrepresentation. They
who attack here any of the great wrongs
which have fastened themselves upon
the government undertake task of
great magnitude. But we shall continue to urge,
with confidence, upon President Cleveland's ad-
ministration, reversal of the bad policy of
former years The only safety for
the people is a sharply defined public
opinion, arising above all party distinction, and
demanding that the public domain shall be held
sacred as q heritage for actual settlers.
SIDNEY CLARKE, :.
~. B. WEAVER"
An Arkansas City dispatch says: ''The Presi-
dents proclamation was received through the
newspapers at noon today. Great disappoint
ment and Indignation was manifested among the
boomers here, who expected the decision to be
favorable to their cause. A meeting was held at
the camp in the afternoon, at which over thou
sand colonists were present. The Presidents
proclamation was read, and resolutions adopted
TO the effect that certain cattle syndcates are
occupying the disputed lands, and expressing the
Dpinion that the President had not been fully ac-
sauainted with the situation. The concluding
resolution is as follows:
Resolved, That we demand of President Cleveland
expana ton of the laws and treaties governing said
Oklahom lands by which he claims the said lands
are Indian lands, and we impatently wait the most
speedy reply, and we instruct our president to for
ward these resolutions by telegraph to President Ceve
land
''The resolutions were Immediately tele
graphed'to President Cleveland Captain Couch
said it was to be hoped that every man would
remain in camp until answer could be re-
ceived. The meeting then adjourned. subject to
the call of President Couch. None of the boom
ers left town to-day, bit about fifty arrived.
One thousand three hundred are here now.
General Hatch and staff, Lieutenant Day
and Quartermnster OConnor left for Wichita
this evening, and Major Benteen remains at
Chilocco, six miles south of here in the Cherokee
strip, with six companies of the Ninth (coloredl
Cavalry