Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-14
OKLAHOMA MUST BE OPENED.
The People Moving and the Demand
Strong.

| From the Chicago Times.
Wichita, the home of the Oklahom
movement under Capt. Payne in 1875
is preparing for an interstate convention
| on November 90 that will memorable
congress for the opening and settlement
| of Indian territory, or at least tina
| portion of it as comprised in the Syringe
bill. Ten years ago the Oklahoma
| raiders were organized by Capt. DaviC
L. Payne in the then frontier town o.
Wichita. They attempted to force theil
way into the forbidden domain and
failed. During the decade the frontier
town has changed into city of 10000
people, the metropolis of the state OF
Kansas, and it is, therefore, most fitting
that within its borders should originate
the second and more civilized movement
ON the territory.
Ts this end the Wichita board of trade
has taken the matter in charge and init
ated proceedings that bid fair to gather
together ON November 90 representative
men from Texas, Missouri, Arkansas,
Colorado and Kansas who will speak in
no uncel tain terms on the duties of the
general government to the common
wealths most directly interested in the
settlement of the Indian Territory. In
vestigations have been extended to the
governors and senators of the five states
bordering on the territory to be preeent
on the occasion, and requests have like
wise been made to the boards of trade.
citizens associations and other municipal
organizations of all cities within the
quintet of states to send delegates
and accredited representatives to
the Oklahoma interstate conven-
ton. Replies have been received
from large majority of these re-
cipients of invitations and they are
all Of similar character. They do not
only express the determination of the
writer to attend in person and to send
delegation, but they evince
the deepest interest in the success of the
which means so much to the
states.
They appear to think and fully realize
that the time has come when a change
in the governmental policy should take
place. Some express the opinion that
further postponement might result III
disorder not SO easily checked, as they
claim that the territory is hotbed OF
as it is and has been from
the beginning mass of ignorance,
Of wastefulness and of vice. The eX-
pense 10 the federal government is point
ed out as a reason why the territory
should be opened, let alone the menace
to the good order of the. surrounding
states, the impeachment to commerce,
and the disgrace to the nation and mod
9rn civilization.
This is not the work Of adventures
md land -grabbers. 1t is not confined to
1ne locality but extends to all people, of
nearly every class, who have given the
subject the least thought or considera-
ion. They ask it on the ground that
he full and complete development of the
great and growing southwest demands |
he opening of an area which for years !
las been a stone wall against interstate |
commerce and a check on the industries |
If the entire nation. They ask it not as
! scheme to reap a golden harvest from |
he horde of home seek who will flock !
o the new territory, but they ask it as
business men, the equal in honesty and |
to any and the interiors !
o none in pluck and energy. They ask |
t not on the score Of sentiment, but be- |
cause they deem it Necessary, and being |
near at hand certainly had better oppor-
;unities for Judging Of the exigencies of |
he case than those far removed from |
he territory.
The territory contains II ,000,0 600 acres.
It is largely fertile and well watered,
laving a capacity to support a popula-
ion equal TO that of any state west of |
he Missouri river. 1t is favored as to |
climate and as to soil and the conclusion
8 inevitable that if opened to settlement |
t would soon become one of the.wealth-
est territories in the galaxy Of future
tates. The effect by the increased con-
of the thousand and one ar
lcles manufactured throughout the
and would be felt in all parts of the
United States. Manufactures and trade
would be benefited and a general good
would result from ocean TO ocean. The
mineral resources of the country cannot
70 oyerestimated. Coal, lead and silver
ire known to exist, while traces of other
nllefa. S nave DeeD discovered.
A plea for the Indians is made that
heir best interests require that the terri
DRY should be organized and their lands
divided up. AT present they remain in
he bonds of barbarism-the most an
lent. They are under the rule OF a few
hiefs and cattlemen who have married
nto their tribes. The chiefs and cattle
neE enjoy the wealth that should belong
o the tribes. The highest Obligations of
he government toward the Indians,
'enned as they are III a tract of land.
very boundary bristles up against an
and aggressive civilization,
5 to prepare them for the inevitable by
eaching them self-reliance and indus
nv, the ground work of civilization and
This is not the helpless char
~, the mock sentimentalitv. which be-
cts dependence while 1t feeds the mouths
f the hungry; it is rather the philosophy
which, hard to bear, is best; that teaches
v the sweat of his brow shall one earn
is daily bread.
The coming interstate convention
therefore, Is an assured success. Esti-
lates are made that the delegates will
lumber into thousands, while the visit
RS Will aggregate as many thousands
lore. Everybody hereabouts is inter-
Sted in seeing oklahoma made a terri
Dry, and they will testify their interest
Y attending the convention. Congress
IAN Springer of Illinois, the chairman
n territories, who submitted a bill pro-
iding for the organization of territory
Oklahoma, is billed as one of the
rincipal speakers. He is familiar with .
he subject. and his address is anticipat- ,,
/ with grear deal of interest. He has
gnified his intention of being on hand,
: has Congressman Weaver, OF Iowa, ,