Wichita eagle., 1888-02-15
CAPT. COUCH
TALKS on THE OKLAHOMA MOVE.
MENT.
Quite Hopeful that the Present Bill
Will Pass---Some Figures.

Capt, W. l.. Couch, president of Payne's
Oklahoma colony, is in the city and quar-
tered at the Carey He arrived yesterday
from Caldwell, accompanied by ex-mayor
Geo. w Riley, where on Tuesday night
very enthusiastic Oklahoma meeting was
held, being attended by over two thousand
people, some coming in for twenty miles,
although the meeting had been announced
only three days in advance. The meeting
was decidedly an Oklahoma boomer, there
not being dissenting voice to the present
movement. The captain will leave next
Monday for Washington, where he expects
to remain until the present congress dis
poses of the bill in which he interested.
Concerning the question, he said last
evening, "If we get anything we will get
the bill reported by the committee on ter
ritories. | firmly believe we will
secure the passage. of this bill provided
our western congressman do their whole
duty. ! think most of them are doing
hard work for the measure, but some, l
fear. are not fully aware of the growing
opinion in favor Of the bill and may not
show as much interest in the matter as
they would if they were better posted.
They don't seem to realize the feeling of
the people.
Yes il is true that many eastern societies
are showing hand against the bill but
am glad that the opposition IS much less
formidable than on any preceding year.
This comes with knowledge of the sltua-
tion and more facts would yet reduce the
opposition. Some of the members of the
house formerly opposing all measures for
opening that country to settlement this
year, we are glad to see, have come out
in favor of the present bill,
which seems to have been framed
to suit their idea of things, The change in
favor of the movement has been as great in
the east as in any other part of the country
and this fact lends courage and good cheer
to those who have for some time been in
the front ranks of the movement. For a
single fact that astonishes eastern people
most of the many facts, is that over II, COO
900 acres of land in the Indian Territory is
not even occupied by the Indians. They
have bsen taught at school that the Indians
down there are crowded together so thick
they could scarcely find room in the Terri
tory and would have to come over into the
adjoining states occasionally for a nap.
When this idea is eradicated they are bet
ter prepared to take in other facts and it is
easier to gain an audience with them"
"No, there can't be any misunderstand-
ing about the sentiments of the people of
southwest. This great agitation has at
tracted attention all over the Union, and
of course is exactly what we have been
working for.'1
Eyes, expect the bill will not hang fire
long 1t ought to be disposed of in short
time THERE'S one thing about it rather
peculiar Most questions before congress
is usually somehow brought around to
serve some party One party will pick it
up for club to beat the other over the
head. This question, however, has been
considered purely on its merits outside of
politics. In the committee you Will OBJ
serve every member of the Republicans
were in favor of it, and the only one who
did not sign the report was
Representative Barnes of Georgia, who
was absent at the time and no one has
been heard say he will offer minority
report. There seems to be no politics in it
and of course we are glad of it. 1t amt
political question and can't be brought
about to serve the interests of any party.
It's matter of business based on right
and justice due the thousands of people
who are anxious for better homes.'
The opposition among the Indians CON
cerned in the bill comes mainly from the
Osages who are influenced by the Chero-
KEGS No other tribe has set out as an
opponent to the measure. Some objection
comes from the five civilized tribes and
cattlemen little calculation win show
that those Indians concerned in the bill
will be better off is it was passed. They
need not give up their lands under con
tract to that effect and by taking the
price for land offered they will get an
amount which if placed on interest at five
per cent would bring three times as much
as much as they are now getting from the
cattlemen on leases"