New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-04

: The last Congress enacted two distinct law
relating to ne goliations with the Sioux Indians o.
Dakota for a REIMBURSEMENT OF portion OF theil
lands to the United States and for dividing I'M
remainder into separate reservations. Both were
approved on the same day-March 2. The on'
submitted 90 the Indians specific proposition thu
other Section 3 of the Indian Appropriation Act
authorized the President to appoint three com
miss oners to negotiate with thesc Indians foi
the accomplishment OF the same general purpose
and required that any agreements made should
be submitted 90 Congress for ratification. ,
On the 9Th day of April last | appointed inc
Hon. Charles Foster, OF Ohio, the Hon. William
Warner, of Missouri, and Ma or-General George
under the last named law. They were. however
authorized and directed, first, to submit to the
Indians the definite prOpos ton made to them by
the act first mentioned, and only III the event oil
a failure to secure the assent OF the requisite num-
her TO that proposition TO open negotiations for
modified terms under the other act. The work OF
The Commission was prolonged and arduous, but
the assent of the requisite number was, IL Is
understood finally obtained 10 the proposition
made by Congress, though the report Of the Com
mission has not yet been submitted. In view OF
these facts, | shall not, as at present ADVISED,
deem it necessary to submit the agreement 10
Congress for ratification, but 1t VIII IN due course
oe submitted for information. This agreement
releases to the United States about nine million
acres Of land.
THE cHERoKEEs.
The Commission provided for by Section IL OF
the Indian Appropriation bill 10 negotiate WIN
the Cherokee Indians and all other Indians owning
or claiming lands lying west of the nlnety-siXth
degree of longitude for the cession to the united
States Of all such lands, was constituted by the
appointment of the Hon. Lncius Fairchild, Of Wis
consin, the Hon. John F. Hartranft of Pennsyl-
vonia, and the Hon Alfred VI. Wilson, OF Arkan-
,as, and organized on June 20 last Their ilrsc
conference with the natives OF the lDerO-
KEGS was held at Tahlequab, July 90 with no
definite. results. General John +. Hartranlt, OF
pennsylvania, was prevented by ll-health from
taking part in the conference. His death, which
occurred recently, is justly and generally lamcnted
by people he had served with conspicuous gal
lantry In war and with great fidelity in peace
me vacancy thus created was f1led by the APP
continent OF the Hon. Warren u. Sayre, Of IN
diana.
4 second conference between the Commission
and the Cherokces was begun November g. but
no results have yet been obtained, nor is it
believed that conclusion can be Immediately
expected. The cattle syndicate now occupying the
lahds Tor grazing purposes is clearly one Of the
agencies responsible for the obstruction OF orr
negotiations with the Cherokees. The large body
of agricultural lands constituting what is known
as the Cherokee Outlet ought not 70 be, and
indeed cannot long be, held for grazing. and for
the advantage Of few against the public interests
and the best advantage of the Indians themselv
The United States has now under the treaties
certain rights in these lands. These will not be
these who by sufferance occupy these lands shall
intCrpose TO defeat the wise and bcneficent pur-
poses Of the Government | cannot but believe
that the advantageous character of the offer made
a full release Of these lands, as compared with
other suggestions now made to them will yet obtain
for it favorable consideration.
THE OPENING OF OKLAHOMA.
Under an agreement made between the United
States and the Muscogee or Creek Nation of
Indians, the 9th day OF January, 1890, an
absolute title was secured by the United States
to about three and half millions of acres OF
land. Section 1? of the general Indian Appro-
priaton Act, approved March q 1899 made pro-
vision for the purchase by the United States RON
the Seminole tribe OF a certain portion Of tllSr
lands. The delegates Of the Seminole Nation.
having first duly evidenced to me their power to
act in that behalf delivered proper release and
conveyance to the United States OF all the lands
in the act which was accepted by me
and certified to he in compliance with the statute;
By the terms Of both the acts referred to all
the lands so purchased were declared to be
part of the public domain, and open to settlement
under the homestead law. But Of the lnds en-
braced in these purchases; being In the aggregate
half million acres had already. under the terms
Of the treaty of s66, been acquired by the Inted
States for the purpose of settling other Indian
tribes thereon, and had been appropriated 70 that
purpose. The land remaining and available for
consisted Of 1887, 706 acres, surrounded
tribes Congress had provided no civil government
for the people who were to he invited by my
to settle upon these lands, except
MS the new court, which had been established at
Nuscoeee. or the United States Court. in some
Of the adjoining States. had power to enforce the
laws of the United States.
In this condition of things | was quite reluctant
10 cpen the lands to settlement. But in view OF
the fact that several thousand persons, many of
them with their families. had gathered upon the
borders Of the Indian Territory. with view, to
delay would involve them in much loss and suffer-
ing 7 did. on the 23d day of March last, issue
proclamation declaring that the lands therein
described would be open TO settlement under the
provisions of the law on the 22d day OF April
following. at . o'clock noon. Two land districts
had been established and the Offices were open
for the transaction Of business when the appointed
It is much to the credit Of the settlers that
they generally observed the limitation as to the
time when they might enter the Territory: Care
will be taken that those who entered in violation
of the law do not secure the advantage they
unfairly sought There was good deal Of
apprehension that tho strife for locations would
result in much violence and bloodshed but happily
These anticpatOns were not realized. II is
estimated that there are now in the Territory
about sixty thousand people and several consider
able towns have sprung uD. for which temporary
gGpal have ba psen 0 SeW
population of f"S almost eight thousand
Eleven schools and nine churches have
been established, ana three daily ana nVe wethN
newspapers are published in this city, whose
charter and ordinances have only the sanction of
the voluntary acquiescence of the people from
day 10 day
thousand. and is prOportonately as well provided
ms Guthrie with churches, schools and newspapers
Other towns and villages having populations OF
from one hur..;;-d 10 a thousand are scattered
In order to secure the peace Of this new com,
mnnity. in tn. absence of civil government,
directed General Merritt, commanding the Depart
u,ant of the Missouri TO act in conjunction with
The marshals OF the United States 10 preserve the
pracr. and upon their requsition to use me troops
10 aid them in executing warrants ana IN a,ileHt,
ing any riots CT breaches OF the peace tha' 'Em'
nccrr lie was further directed 10 use his IN
Gnence to promote good order and to avoid any
conflicts between or with thu, settlers Beiiexng
that the introduction and sale OF LIQUORS M hetre
cndangcr the public peace, and in view OF ths
fact that such LIQUORS must first be lntroluceeu