New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-19
THE EIGHT FOR LAND.

Oklahoma is not yet opened, but it is already
question what is to be done'with the overflow
of its population. Numbers Of settlers are al
ready reported as turning back because they
see no prospect Of getting foothold; but
prudence of this sort is not likely to be COM
mon, and there is little doubt that when the
first scramble is over, there will be thousands
without the coveted quarter section, who will
be looking eagerly elsewhere for homes. IL
they can get them by squatting, they will care
little about the niceties of lawful possession.
The length Of ime likely to be required to
complete negotiations for the opening Of the
Cherokee Strip thus becomes OF Importance.
This is a broad belt of land about fifty miles
in width, extending from the Arkansas River
10 the western boundary Of Indian Territory
about $500 square miles, or little more than
one sixth of an area equal to that Of the State
of New-York. This contains about 100000
acres Of land upon which the Cherokees do
not i've. as they occupy tract in the extreme
east Of Indian Territory, but which they lease
to cattle-m men. Permission has been given for
the Oklahoma settlers coming from the North
to cross this strip in order to reach their new
homes, as they were obliged to do, but they
are strictly forbidden to linger there and troops
will be detailed TO watch the tract. When,
however, the food turns backward from Okla
homa, as it 10 likely to do, many Of the pros
pectors must cross the strip to get out by way
of Kansas, and nothing is more certain than
that many Of them will attempt to settle there.
The result will probably be that the long strug-
gle Of the army with the Oklahoma boomers
, will be repeated.
The same legislation by which the President
was empowered to declare Oklahoma open au-
thorized negotiations by which the Cherokee
Strip, body Of land more than three times as
large, might also be made ready for settlement.
The history Of this tract is much the same as
that of Oklahoma Originally granted to the
CheFokees, as Oklahoma was to the Creeks and
Seminoles, the former tribe, by the Treaty Of
1865, ceded it TO the Government fop the oc-
cupation of friendly Indians and freedmen, the
intention then being to extend the policy Of
transferring Indians TO the Indian Territory.
There was also some thought of making this
region a refuge for the recently liberated slaves
Comparatively little however OF this tract was
set apart for the use Of other tribes, and paid
for under this agreement. The question of its
ownership thus remains somewhat doubtful, but
IL is now proposed to pay the Government rate
OF Si 26 an acre for the entire tract. This sum
Is 10 be placed at interest, and will produce for
tho cherolsees about $3.50, 900 year, which is
o much larger sum than they were receiving
from mo cattle-men, and, In fact about double
tho increased price offered for renewal Of the
lease. but refused by direction Of the Indian
Department. Under thee circumstances II
would appear that the Government was dealing
fairly With the tribe Opposition is expected
only from the cas&ls syndicate. but the Indiana
vin probably zee that 6he bargain Of the Cow