The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-12-28
INDIAN TERRITORY.

a convention
tor Springs, Kan.-Resolutions Advocat-
ing the Opening OF the Territory.
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan, Dec. 19.-Ths
Indian Territorial convention met in the
city hall yesterday and passed a set of
strong resolutions favoring the Immediate
opening of the entire Indian Territory to
white settlers, and the allotment of land
in severalty to Indians. Good delegations
were present from many of the principal
cities OF Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas,
and liberal representation from many of
the Indian tribes. Governor T. 7. Critten-
den, of Missouri, was elected permanent
chairman, and c. w. Daniels, of Baxter
Springs, secretary. II was generally con-
coded that this convention brought out
more of the influential men of the country
and more brains than any meeting that
has been held on this subject.
An interesting and important feature of
the convention and one that must have
weight with the country at large, was the
attendance and outspoken sentiments Of
the Indians themselves. Quite q number
of chiefs and influential men of the various
Indian tribes came out strongly in favor
of allotment of lands, of the individual re-
sponsiblities of citizenship and the pro-
lection of the general Government. They
evidently wish to have an opportunity to
compete with the white race, and many Of
them are tired Of their present mode of
life and dependence upon the Government.
Chiefs John Early, of the Ottawas Ma
ton; Thomas Rishardville, of the Miami
Nation, and William Lebadie, of the Pc
oria Nation, made stirring speeches in
dorsing the measures advanced by the
convention.
Judging from the remarks and general
conversation, there is a strong undertone
throughout nearly all the tribes of the
Territory favoring a change in the pres
emit Indian policy and abolishing the tribal
relations.
Ex-Governor Crittenden delivered an
eloquent address, and was followed by
Judge Emery, of Lawrence. Kan; Hon.
l.. l.. Bridges, of Sedalia; Colonel Ben T.
Duval, of Fort Smith; L. E. Irwin. of Kan
sas City, and Others The sentiment of
the convention was in favor of giving the
Indians all their lands, if necessary, but
to divide them in severalty, make them
citizens of the United States, and to make
of the Indian Territory one of the pros
porous States of the Union.
The resolutions as agreed on by the COM
mittee We're then read and adopted with
out debate and Immediately afterward the
convention adjourned and the delegates
travelling by special trains at once repaired
to their cars and took their departure.
The committees report is very lengthy.
1t consists of a memorial to Congress in
which the declaration is made: "The
people of Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and
IN,
sembled at Baxter Springs, Kan, do
realize that the time has come
when change of policy is
imperatively demanded in Indian affairs,
believing that further postponement will
be at the risk of mourning disorder and
evils not within the reach of moderate
remedies. We know that the Territory is
fast becoming hotbed of disturbance, of
wastefulness, of idleness and vice, refuge
for criminals and fugitives from justice,
thereby endangering the lives and prop
erty of citizens of adjoining States. 1t is a
large expense to the Government, a burden
to the people of the entire country, men,
ace to the good order of the surrounding
States, an impeachment to commerce and
a disgrace TO our civilization and Ma
ton. We maintain that the highest
obligation of Government towards a
and helpless people, penned in
a tract of country every boundary of
which touches aggressive and highly or
ganized civilization of wholly antagon-
istic character is 10 teach them the arts by
which they alone can endure and to infuse
into them the spirit of self-reliance and
industry which underlies all civilization
and all permanent prosperity. The Indian
Territory lies in the center of South
western civilization, an obstacle to
trade development and an injury
to every State which borders upon
it. The continuity of commerce
rs broken; the progress of business
toward Mexico is blocked;
Kansas is separated from Texas and
Texas and Colorado from New Mexico.
That the Indians Is individuals would be
vastly benefited by organizing the Terri
tory under a systematic government, no
one who is practically informed will deny.
The money obtained from the sale of their
surplus lands would make them a richer
people, per capita, than those of any State
in the Union. Their individual land hold
ings in severalty would be guaranteed to
them and with the privileges and response
oilities of citizenship they would rapidly
and without social friction assume the
benefits of independence, industry, culture
and prosperity"
The resolutions emphasize and amplify
the above declaration; urge that Congress
sional action be taken at once; that the
Indians be clothed with the right of citi-
demand that all legislation look
ing to the settlement of the Territory or any
part of it shall provide that the lands shall
be secured to actual and permanent set.
tiers, giving preference in every case to
those at the time occupying the lands for
homes and the lands shall never be al
lowed to become merely subjects of specu- |
lation and traffic; and conclude: "Being |
as We are in favor Of opening up in
the entire Indian Territory and No. |
to settlement subject to the |
past vested rights of the Indians occupy |
ing the soil, We favor as q means to that |
end the passage of the bills pending in |
Congress to open parts OF the said Terri |
.ory and we urge our representatives in |
Congress to use all honorable means to |
procure the passage Of said bills"
After the adjournment Of the convention
he representatives of the Peoria and |
Miami tribes held an informal meeting,
md it was agreed to send q delegation to
this winter to urge the pas
age of a bill allotting their lands in sew
,ralty with permission to sell the surplus.
Perkins For Speaker.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-The latest addi-
ion to the list of candidates for the Speak
'rship Of the next House is Representative