The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-02-03
OKLAHOMA.
Tho Springer BIN Exciting Much Interest
In the Indian Territory.

Tho Springer BIN Exciting Much Interest
In the Indian Territory.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 7...The Springer bill
to open up the Indian Territory Is stirring
mp the Indians dad their representatives.
and they are pouring into Washington at .
great rate. A delegation from the Osages
was here few days ago, but they returned
home, presumably for reinforcement and
for more definite instructions from their
people. The Choctaws ore present in full
force. as are also the Chickasaws, the Sem
inoles and the Creeks. The latter tribe Is
said to Be willing TO the settlement OF Ok
lahoma upon certain conditions, and pa
per which was In part adopted three years
ago, sctting forth the terms, is now on Ole
in the Indian Department, and will proba-
bly, be called forth In y few days by resolu-
tion.
As the story goes, tho Crooks consented
to part with Oklahoma at the time the last
treaty was made. on the condition that it
should be used by tho Government as q
reservations for friendly tribes. Three
years ago. however, the agitation in favor
Of opening Oklahoma 10 settlement became
50 pronounced that tho Creeks began to
fear the passage of bill by Congress look
ing IN that direction. These Indians, there
fore, concluded that something was better
than nothing. and the representatives Of
the tribe IN Washington at that time de-
cided 10 arrange matters for the crisis. A
document was then drawn up looking to-
wsrd Q settlement, tho idea OF the Greeks
being to get pay for their share Of the
land upon the basis OF the difference be-
tween 30 cents per acre. the price origin
ally paid them in consideration OF their
beng held for occupancy by friendly
tribes. aud sl.oo or some other fair prizes,
charged the actual white settlers who
might be admitted in case the country
should be thrown open. This document
was legally drawn up and signed by the
Creek representatives in Washington. and
was 81 omitted In turn to the Indian Com
missioner. the Secretary OF the Interior
and the President. They each approved it
and it was filed to await ratification by the
Creek Council. The final action OF Con-
gress enacted no law, but the document
was presented to the Greek CoLn-
c.l at the following session. 1t
passed one body ef the Council.
but through the connivance Of cat
tiemcn, who were interested in the Indian
leases, and consequently opposed to the
opening Of Oklahoma. it failed IN tho other.
Tho document. however, Is sun on Elc IN
the department here, AMI those who have
heard of it's existence deem it sufficiently
significant to warrant its reproduction at
this time. 1t is believed to express the
sentiment of the Greeks generally as IA
vorable to an early disposition Of the lands
for settlement, despite the fact that under
the terms of The original treaty they were 10
b. reserved for other Iudians. II the Greeks
can be induced to consent to sale and set
tiement, 1t is believed the other Nations Of
the Territory will follow. and that the difli-
cultics now in the way will bs removed
without further delay or trouble.
The document in question will be called
for by resolution OF the House, and ii may
play an important part in the pending
Legislation. The cattlemen OF the Territory
arc SAID to be behind some Of the Indians
here, urging them to oppose to the bitter
end any invasion Of the Territory and all
legislation concerning it. On the other
hand. delegations of business men from tho
border cities of Kansas are coming to IA
vor the opening Of the Territory. and dele
gates from the Board Of Trade Of Wichita
arc already here, ami especially active.