Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-18

called on iof ASSISTANCE.
WASHINGTON, April 17.-Commissioner
Stockslager has made public letter con-
cerning entries in Oklahoma, addressed to
Mr.. D. D. Halstead, Purcell. 1t runs thus:
In reference to a memorandum of five ques-
tioDs from you under date of the 18th inst,
1 have to state that 1t is not usual to answer
Hypothetical questions, but in view of the
anomalous condition affecting the public
lands in Oklahoma, will state as follows,
viz:
First-A person desiring to become an actual
settler under the homestead laws may initiate
his claim by entry at the District Land Office,
after properly selecting and examining the
land desired, in which case he is allowed six
months from date of entry, within which to
establish his actual residence on the land, or if
he SO elect he may initiate his claim by
ACTUAL SETTLEMENT
On the land, which may consist of some act or
acts connecting himself with the particular
tract named. said act or acts to be equivalent to
an announcement of such as his intention, and
from which the public generally may have
notice of his claim. Thereafter he is allowed
three months within which to make his claim
of record by entry of the District Land Office.
Which of these two methods should be chosen
is a matter for the party's election, according
TO the circumstances and his own judgment of
which is most desirable.
Two and three-Of two bona fide settlers or
claimants, the one whose settlement or entry
is prior in time will have the superior right
When the inception of the claims is stimuli
taneous-that is, at the same time precisely
the legal right is equal, and the question can
1,ar "A nd fp arrlffi and fhQ
land awarded to the party having the superior
equities, if any: if none, then it has been the
practice to put the land up between the claim
ants and to award the right of entry to the ono
bidding the highest for the privilege.
DON'T BE IN A HURRY.
Fourth-The act OF March 2 1859, enacts
that until said lands are opened for settlement
by proclamation of the President, no person
shall be permitted to enter upon and occupy
the same, and no person violating this pro-
vision shall ever be permitted to enter any of
said lands or acquire any right thereto. The
Presidents proclamation of March q, 1889,
calls attention expressly to this provision, and
directs that the law be strictly enforced. Cir
cHlar of April l, lSS9. copy inclosed.
Fifth-I am not prepared in advance of
case arising. to give an opinion as to what par
ticular act or acts VIII be considered VIOLA
tion of the law in this respect.
The Postotice Department officials are
making active preparations for the immedi-
ate opening of two postofhces in Oklahoma,
one at Kingfsher stage station and the other
at Guthrie where the United States Land
offices are 10 be established. Several post
Office inspectors are now on the ground ex-
amining proposed mail routes into the
country and between all important points.
POSTAL FACILITIES.
For the present all mails will enter the
Territory from the north over the Atchison,
Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad to its SOUTH
ern terminus, and from there it will be car
ried forward by Government contractors
over regularly established routes. 1t is ex-
pected that the mail facilities will equal
the needs of the settlers.
Mail for the land Office towns and other
principal points will probably go forward
on the very day, or at least on the day fol-
lowing the one on which the Presidents
proclamation goes into effect General
Clarkson said today that probably 25 post
offices would be established in the new Ter
ritory within the next 80 days. If no better
accommodations can be had, ,postmasters will
supply themselves with tents or whatever
else can be made available for shelter.
The preservation of law and order in the
new Territory has occupied much of the at
tention of the authorities here, and Cabi-
net meeting has been held to consider the
subject. The plan proposed is that on
April %, the day on which the rush into
the supposed land of milk and honey is to
begin, the maintenance of law and the
preservation of order shall be vested in the
United States Marshal at Muscogee.
THE ARMY IN READINESS.
He will be empowered to employ depu-
ties, but of course he will not be able to
have at his command force large enough
to be effective in case there should be very
serious disturbances. In case of unexpected
disorder the Marshal will call on the army
to aid in maintaining the law, and while
nominally the civil authorities in command
would act, police work will be performed
by the military. General Merritt, who is
in command of the Department of the Mis-
souri,, with headquarters at Fort Leaven-
worth, Kan, will be on the ground and
will assume personal command of the army.
He has been given discretionary power in
regard to the number of men to be ordered
70 the Territory, and if necessary, he can
draw on the entire resources of the Depart
ment of the Missouri. 1t is the opinion of
the War Department authorities that he
will have at his disposal all the men that
he will possibly need, no matter what may
happen. 1t is the firm determination Of
the authorities to preserve law and order at
all hazards.
OFFICIAL ANTICIPATIoNS.
Secretary of War Proctor says that he
does not anticipate any very serious trouble
when the Territory is thrown open to settle
ment. There might be some lawlessness, but
nothing more than the civil authorities,
with assistance, could hold in check. If
there was anything more serious there
would be troops enough on the ground to
put it down in short order. But the Secre-
tary believes that the majority of the settlers
are disposed to be law-abiding, and that
while there NAV be some disturbance, as
would be natural in any new community,
it will not be of a serious nature.
Attorney General Miller said this after
noon that the United States Marshal would
be instructed to call on the military, if nee
essary, and that they would cooperate with
him in the preservation of peace. The
greatest apprehension is felt at the two land
Offices at Guthrie and Kingfsher, and to
prevent any disturbance there a strong
military force will be stationed at both
places.
They Sell at Sight.