New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-26
OpENING OKLAHOMA.


lamation, throwing the Oklahoma lands opeI
TO settlement may be expected soon. 1t Gna,
be necessary to explain to some readers ina
the bill creating the Territory OF OkIahoh'
out of the western half Of Indian Terrtor.
failed in the Senate. But an amendment Il
the Indian Appropriation bill authorized tn
President by proclamation to throw open u
settlement a tract Of moro than 5000, OO'
acres lying in the very heart Of Indian Iefn
tory. This includes Oklahoma proper, com
prising 1000 600 acres, and purchases iron
the Seminole and Creek Indians on the east
amounting to about 4 800, 600 acres more. lh
Government moro than twenty years ago pur
chased these lands from the tribes named will
view to settling other partly civilized TRIBE
there, but this policy has been abandoned, ant
the pressure OF adventurous whites to take pos
session of this fertile country has become s.
great that the lands have been bought again a
the full Government rate in order to gain tn
right which did not go with them beiore-t
sell to white settlers. The tract now to b.
opened is about one-quarter as large as tn
proposed Territory of oklahoma.
The excitement that prevails in the Yves
regarding Oklahoma recalls the early days o
tire pioneers and the California gold rage. il
fact, it is evon more picturesque and remark
able. Probably never before in the history o
this country a whole army OF eager settler
seen lowering on the borders Of a great an'
fertile tract. waiting the moment for the wort
to be given when they might pour in and tak'
possession. There are cities of tents and shan
ties camped on the borders, which number thei
inhabitants by thousands and the scenes daily
enacted recall the times OF mining eXcitementS
The movement is not confined to the surround
ing country, nor even the ncighbCing States
Many Of these pioneers have come hundreds %
miles, and the "pr@irie schooner is again
familiar object in many parts of the West OF
roads leading toward Oklahoma. Meantime
the Government is faithfully guarding it's trust
II is nearly nine years since the first party q
boomers Wa, led by Captain Payne into TIM
promised land, and driven out again, and al
most every year since that time has witnessed
constant struggle between the troops OF thu
United States and those who are not willing t.
wait for the authority of law before chOoSin!
their homes. 1t has been feared that Their
would be serious trouble, inaSmuch as tn
were becoming so impatient. But no report
of bloodshed have reached u.s. Those who hat
already entered the Territory seem to have sub
mtied patiently, for the most part, to be driver
out again at the point of the bayonet, Will
those who have been content to remain outSd
await anXi0usly the signal from WaShingtO
to move.
it is obvious that prompt measures will nce'
to be taken upon the reasScmbling Of Congress
for the erection of a Territorial Government
Within few weeks after the land is unbarrct
to settlers this tract will have a population o
| many thousands who will be without law eX
| ccpt that certain courts III the Indian Territory
| Arkansas and Kansas will be open to them
| What will be needed is a properly organize
Government There already exists 10 the mort
Of Indian Territory "No Mans Land" whcr
| several thousand settlers live with only the rud
methods of Justice which they are able them
| selves TO administer. One such community
enough. 1t is TO be hoped that one Of the earl
acts of the now Congress will be to cStabli>
| the proposed Territory of Oklahoma having. q
course, due regard to Indian rights and Sprea
the shield of law over this rapidly growing sec
ton. This should be done in the interest q
The country, as well as of the inhabitants G
! that region. EX-COngreSsman Weaver predict
cd the other day that Oklahoma would be
| state within two years. If the universal an
ticipations regarding the number OF settler
that will move in should be verified. the pop
ulaton would probably be quite sufficient b
that time to enable the Territory to claim ad
mission.