The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-03-07
LAND OF PROMISE.
Conditions Of the Measure by Which
Part Of Oklahoma VIII Be Opened
TO Settlement.
Purchase OF the Seminole and Chero
kee Lands Only Provided for
In the Present Bill.
Homestead Entries the Only Ones Ailovs'
BILE, with a Limitation for Townsits Pur-
poses and Railway Right OF Way.

WASHINGTON, March 6.-ln the confu-
sion attendant upon the closing hours OF
congress the exact nature and effect OF the
amendments made 10 the Indian appro-
priation bill have not been clearly under
stood. The impression has gained cur
rency that all the provisions OF the bill or.
ganlzlng the territory Of Oklahoma In ef-
feet were embodied In the Indian Appro-
priation bill. This is not the case. The
amendments agreed to relate to the Semi
mole and Cherokee lands and are as fol-
lows: The sum Of s1.9i2,9 Is appropriat-
ed to pay In full the Seminole nation for
all right, title, interest and claim they may
have In and 10 certain lands ceded by the
treaty OF 1885, containing 2,0S7, AIS acres; of
this sum 81, 800, 900 shall remain In the treas
ury, per cent interest TO be paid semi-an-
nually 70 the treasurer OF the nation, and
s4l2, ,SiS of this TO be available Immediately
for distribution. This appropriation Is 10
become operative upon the execution by
duly appointed delegates Of said nation OF
the release and conveyance 10 the United
States OF all the right, title. interest and
claim OF said Indians In and TO said lands
In manner and form satisfactory TO the
president OF the United States. II
conveyance and extinguishment shall not
inure TO the benefit OF or cause 10 vest In
any railroad company any right title or
interest whatever In or 70 any of said
lands, and all laws or parts OF laws, 80 far
as they conflict with the foregoing, are re-
pealed, except rights OF way and depot
grounds. The lands as acquired shall be
part Of the public domain, two sections In
each townships TO DO reserved for the use
and benefit OF public schools. The lands
thus acquired, except the school sections,
are to be- disposed OF TO actual settlers
under the homestead law only, except as
herein otherwise provided; and provided
further, thai any person who, having at
tempted to but for any cause failed TO secure
title In fee 10 homestead under the exist
ing law, or who made an entry under
what is known a. the commuted provision
of the homestead law, shall be qualified 20
make homestead entry upon such lands;
and provided. further, that the rights Of
honorably discharged union soldiers and
sailors In the late civil war, % defined and
described In the revised statutes, shall not
be abridged; and provided, further, that
each entry shall be In q square form, as
nearly as possible, and no person shall be
permitted to enter more than one quarter
section thereof. But until such lands are
opened for settlement by proclamation of
the president, no person shall be permitted
10 enter upon and occupy the same, and
no person violating this provision shall
ever be allowed 20 enter any Of said lands
or acquire any rights thereon. The secre-
tary OF the interior may, after said procla.
nations and not before, permit the entry OF
said land for townsites, but no such entry
shall embrace more than one half section
OF land. All the foregoing provisions shall
apply 10 and regulate the dIsp0sals OF lands
acquired from the Musk0gee or Greek In
dIans BY the articles of cession and agree
ment of Jan. 10, 1889.
The president 10 authorized 10 appoint
three commissions to negotiate with the
Cherokees and all other Indians owning or
claiming lands lying west OF the s6th de-
Cherokee outlet) for cesslon 10 the United
States OF all their title, claim or interest
The commission Is further authorized to
submit 10 the Cherokee Nation q PROPOSE
ton that said nation shall cede their lands
10 the United States upon the same terms
as 10 payment as 10 provided In the
agreement with the Creeks. II the Chero-
KEGS shall accept, said lands shall there
upon become part OF the public domain,
provided herein, and the president Ii
authorized, as soon thereafter AZ he may
deem advisable, by proclamation 10 open
said lands To settlement In the same man.
ner and TO the same effect as Is provided
concerning the lands acquired from the
Creeks. The president may, whenever he
deems necessary, create not for exceed two
land districts, embracing the lands which
he may open 70 settlement by proclamation
as herein before provided, and 10 emp0w-
ed to locate land Offices To the same. ap-
pointing persons thereto In confoi nifty 10
the existing laws relating TO registers and
reeeivera