Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-11-29
Q OPENING OKLAHOMA.
The Friends Of okiahoma ASSEM-
BILE at Wichita, Kan.

&as- - - - 4 as4
'congressman Springer Gives Some Details
OF What His hin Proposes-The Resolu-
9aons Adopted-A Committee to Go
to Washington.
WICHITA Kan, Nov. 21.-The early
morning trains yesterday brought hum
dreda more OF delegates to tho Inter State
OkIahoma oonv ention. The delegates and
visitors met at the Board Of Trade head
quarters. About ten O'Clock Hon William
Springer, OF illinois; Colonel Mansur, OF
Missouri; General Weaver. Of Iowa. ar
rived and were given an ovation. Shortly
before eleven O'Clock q procession was
formed headed by q band and marched to
the Crawford Opera House. The meeting
was called to order by George l.. Rouse,
who introduced Judge j. 8. Emery, Of
Lawrence, as temporary chairman.
Mr.. Walker, Of Wellington. was made
temporary secretary. Committees wore
appointed in. the usual manner-of twen-
fy-one members each. Judge e. B. jew
9tt, of Wichita, chairman Of the commit
tee on permanent organizations; resolu-
lions and memorial. Sidney CLARK, of
Lawrence, chairman; selection Of dele
gates to Washington, Major j. p. Allen,
Of Wichita; finance, NJ. w. Levy, Wichita,
After assignments of places for commit
tees to meet the convention adjourned un-
til two p. m. That hour found most OF the
delegates not occupied on committee in
place, while there were several hundred
spectators, representing many towns in
this and adjoining States. In the absence
of committee reports there were enthusi-
.nstic calls for 'sWeaverw ''Springerp
-<Charlie Mansuri" and others. The dis
tinguished gentlemen had not arrived and
the chair appointed George 81. Block
Welder and y. o. Davidson to escort them
from the hotel and in the meantime George
IL Clement, of Wichita, spoke on the
question of the day.
The arrival of the champions OF the Okla
Aoma bill was greeted with prolonged and
enthusiastic cheers. Mr.. Springer was in
1roduced in an eulogistic manner by the
chairman, after which he spoke as fol-
Iows: ''Tne object of the convention. if 1
am correctly informed. is to give express
xion to the sentiments OF the people
Of the Southwest in reference to the
opening to settlement of that portion
'of the Indian Territory west of the lands
occupied by the five civilized tribes II
~se include what is known as Greer County
the area is nearly $1,000 900 acres-about
half of this area il now occupied by In
dian trib es under various treaty stfpula-
60ns and departmental orders. That part
'of the proposed Territory, however, which
Ia known the Cherokee outlet-Okla-
1homa proper-and the Public Land Strip,
embracing 11,600, 900 acres, is not acquired
by Indians and only q small portion OF it
has ever been occupied by Indian tribes.
These lands ought to have been opened to
actual settlers under the provisions of the
law
-'Two'causes have operated to delay the
opening Of these lands to settlement. The
6Est is the complication growing out of In
dian titles. and the second comes from
cattle syndicates, who under pretended
Indian leases are using large areas of
these lands for grazing purposes. The
bill now pending in Congress proposes an
equitable adjustment of the Indian claims.
There will be no difficulty in coming to an
agreement with the Greeks and Seminofes
In regard to-what is known as Oklahoma
proper. The Indian claims on these lands
.aze of very shadowy and unsubstan-
'tial character. The Government has
q title already to them in fee
simple and has paid the price
which was agreed upon at the time of
declared its purpose to settle friendly In
l1ians upon these lands it is of the utmost
importance that the bill for the organiza-
ton Of the Territory of Oklahoma shall be
passed at the ensuing session of Congress.
The longer the opening of the lands is de-
Aayed the greater will be the complications
and embarrassments which will confront
uz- The tide of civilization has already
been stayed too long upon the borders of
this Territory. The people are impatient
to enter upon and possess the promised
land.
<sThe settlement of these lands is q
question of time and that time can not
be long delayed. The opposition to such
settlement is confined to a great cattle
syndicate having a lease of 6,000, 900 acres.
The cattle syndicate insist upon using
these lands for cattle pastures, the people
insist upon having them for homes. Pub
lie sentiment will no longer tolerate the
arrogance of any portion of our citizens
who demand a large part Of the public
domain for their private gain and to
the exclusion Of actual settlers. Civil
Exation will not be stopped at the command
Of Individual greed. Private interests
must give way to the public veal. II
these cattle companies were more patriotic
withdraw their opposition to this measure
and unite with the other citizens of the
United States in demanding the immedi-
ate opening of this Territory to settlement,
bat whether they surrender or continue
their opposition to the advance of civiliza-
ton and progress the time of their occu-
pancy is short and the cattle kings must
go.
1.-The time approaches and now is near
when these lands must be opened to the
people There is an irrepressible conflict
between barbarism- and civilization. The
result of that conflict is not matter of
doubt. No portion Of this continent can
be held in barbarism to the exclusion of
ecivilized'men. In the organization of the
Territory the hopes and aspirations Of our
fathers will be realized. Every portion of
cur great domain will have been brought
within the protection of the Constitution
and the laws. In Oklahoma will be