The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-02-13
OKLAHOMA.
fnportans Convsntion ss Tepska-TAs
Resolutions Adopted.

OKLAHOMA
ruportans Convsntion ss repekn-rhs
Revolutions Adopted.
ToPEKA, KAN, February 4.-Pursuant
70 call issued some time ago, State con
vention of delegates from the various Okla
iona colonies In Kansas met here yester-
day 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
singuished gentlemen noticed were Colonel
Couch. w. A. Eddy, Sidney Clark and P.
NJ. Gilbert. A temporary organization was
effected by the election of Colonel Couch for
Chairman and /. w. Peck of Topeka Score
tary. Tho Committee on Credentials reported
the DELEGATES to be as follows: w. l. Couch,
J. Il. Thoroughman and E. s. Wilcox, Of
Oklahoma Territory; w. E. Richie.
E Fl. Sanford, Walter p. Eddy.
Mark Sage, Henry Kinsey; George
Blair, Waiter Sage, Wabaunsee
County; John Hornscheidt, Frank Ferrin.
George Heninger, n. Marcus, Atchison; P.
NJ, Gilbert, Arkansas City; w. II. Osborn,
c. p. Weckmiller, Wichita; H. L. Strong,
Coffeyville; b. s. Walden, Kansas City; d.
Jacobs Burton, b. L. Stone, Rich Hill; w.
ID. Halfill, Cowley County; c. E. Lincoln,
COffeyville; Orrin Worrel, Usage City; John
Samuel DOlman and E. A. futile, 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. Colonel Couch
called the convention to order and was
greeted with enthusiastic cheering. In an
swer to loud calls the Colonel made short
talk about the Oklahoma country. The fol-
lowing resolutions, introduced by Hon. Sid
ney Clark, were ADOPTED:
Resolved, 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 presumption
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 1853, in the old border rlfffian days.
Resolved, That we denOunce as 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
Resolred, That we are opposed to inrerfer
ing with the rights of Indians to their lands
existing under the laws or treaties of the
violation of their rights, and we demand
also that the protection of the Government
should be extended to all settlers alike on the
Government lands.
a. to
upon Government lands but right given to
every American citizen by law; that the In
dian right has been extinguished and under
the laws of the United States statutes they are
subject to settlement pre- emption and home
stead.
Resolred, 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
ment.
Resolred, 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 a desire to Oc-
cupy Government lands, Is an outrage that
would disgrace the worst monarchies of the
old world.
Rssolrcd. That we have right under the
laws of the United States to settle and Oc
cupy Government lands and by the Eternal
Resolved, That all dispatches sent by the
Associated Press agent at 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 willfully false and
calculated to mislead the public.
S. N. Wood offered resolutions as follows,
which were also adopted and the meeting
adjourned:
resolved, That q committee of five be ap
pointed by the chair to prepare and pub
fish an address to the people of the United
States defining the position of the Oklahoms
lands.
Resolved That said committee be author
lied to present the case of the settlers seek.
ing homes in Oklahoma to the President of
the United States, the Attorney General, Sec.
rotary of the Interior. and Commissioner of
the General Land Office, and demand in the
name of the people of the United States
seeking homes on Government lands that
they be not mOlested in settling on such
lands in the Oklahoma country as do not be-
long to any Indian tribe.
Resolved, That we demand that all con-
tracts made with Indians for leasing large
tracts of land to large corporations be de
cared invalid, made i'm violation of law, and
that If such lands are not needed for the oc-
cupancy of Indians, that they be purchased
of the Indians as other lands have been and
then opened to actual settlers only.
Resolved, That we demand that all unearned
land grants to railroads shall be forfeited
and restored to the public domain and held
for actual settlers only: that our thanks are |
due the House of Representatives in Wash. |
ngton for the passage of laws restoring |
some 1000, 600 acres of the public domain to |
actual settlers: that the United States Senate |
IN refusing to pass land bills proves that the |
Senate represents the corporations and not
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