Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-11-29
OPENING OKLAHOMA.
The Friends of Oklahoma Assem-
BILE at Wichita. Kan.
Congressman Springer Gives Some Details
of What His Bill Proposes-The Resolu-
lions Adopted-A Committee to Go
to Washington.

morning trains yesterday brought hun
dreds more of delegates to the Interstate
Oklahoma convention. 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 a procession was
formed headed by a band and marched to
the Crawford Opera House. The meeting
was called to order by George L. Rouse,
who introduced Judge j. S. Emery, of
Lawrence, as temporary chairman.
Mr.. Walker, of Wellington, was made
temporary secretary. Committees were
appointed in the usual manner-of TWEEN
ty-one members each. Judge E B. jew
EFT, of Wichita, chairman of the commit
tee on permanent organization; resolu-
lions and memorial, Sidney Clark, of
Lawrence. chairman; selection of dele
gates to Washington, Major j. P. Allen,
of Wichita; finance, N. w. Levy, Wichita,
chairman.
After assignments of places for commit
tees to meet the convention adjourned un-
til two p. N. 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-
astic calls for "Weaverw springer"
"Charlie Mansur." and others. The dis
tinguished gentlemen had not arrived and
the chair appointed George Fl. Block
welder and J. o. Davidson to escort them
from the hotel and in the meantime George
NJ. Clement, of Wichita, spoke on the
question of the day.
The arrival of the champions of the Okla
homa bill was greeted with prolonged and
enthusiastic cheers. Mr.. Springer was in
I.oduced in an eulogistic manner by the
chairman, after which he spoke as fol-
lows: THE object of the convention, if
I'm correctly informed l, is to give express
sion 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. If
we include what is known as Greer County
the area is nearly 100000 acres-about
the size of the State of Ohio. More than
half of this area is now occupied by In
dian tribes under various treaty stipula
tions and departmental orders. That part
of the proposed Territory, however, which
is known as the Cherokee outlet-Ckla-
homa proper-and the Public Land Strip,
embracing II, G00,000 acres, is not acquired
by Indians and only a 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
Homestead law.
1.-TWO causes have operated to delay the
opening OF these lands to settlement. The
first 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 Seminoles
in regard to what is known as Oklahoma
proper. The Indian claims on these lands
are of very shadowy and unsubstan-
tial character. The Government has
title already to them in fee
simple and has paid the price
which was agreed upon at the time of
purchase. But the Government having
declared its purpose to settle friendly In
dams 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-
layed the greater will be the complications
and embarrassments which will confront
us. 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.
"The settlement of these lands is
question of time and that time can not
be long delayed. The opposition to such
settlement is confined to a great cattle
syndicate having lease of 5000, 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
ization will not be stopped at the command
of individual greed. Private interests
must give way to the public veal If
these cattle companies were more patriotic
and less selfish than they are they would
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,
but 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.
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
civilized men. In the organization of the
Territory the hopes and aspirations of our
fathers will be realized. Every portion of
our great domain will have been brought
within the protection of the Constitution
and the laws. In Oklahoma will be
realized in its fullest fruition the prophesy
of Isaiah uttered nearly 1900 years
ago: The wilderness and the solitary
places shall be glad and the desert shall
rejoice and blossom as the rose.'"
At the close of his remarks the commit
tee on permanent organization reported
5. Dollman, of Topeka. chairman; II. L. |
Pearce, of Wichita, secretary; vice-presi-
dents, Judge Cochran. Nebraska: g. n.
Peck, Topeka; Joseph Harris, Wichita; C. |
II. Keeler, Wellington; DR.. a. S. Glance, |
John Dale, No. Mans Land: |
A. B. johnson, Arkansas City; A Corning, |
Emporia.
The report was adopted and the resolu- |
tons reported Us follows:
WHEREAS, This convention believes that By |
The opening Of the Oklahoma Territory the |
rights OF the Indian tribes Of the Territory will
N no wise be impaired, while the condition of /
such tribes VIII be greatly improved; and.
hall Sc