The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1889-04-25
NO EXCESS OF IMMIGRATION.
What Congressman Springer Says - The
Cherokee Strip to be Opened Up.

What Congressman Springer Says - The
Cherokee Strip to be Opened Up.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. April 24.--Hon. Viii
liam Springer, chairman of the commit
tee on territories of the national house of
representatives and author of the origin
al Oklahoma bill, was asked:
"Do you think there will be much
trouble and bloodshed among the set
tlersT'
"There have been apprehensions con-
sidering the conflicts that MAY arise over
the ownership of tracts of land" replied
Mr.. Springer; "these contests are of mi
nor and local importance. 1t makes no
difference to the country at large wheth-
er John Doe or Richard Roe may occupy
particular quarter section-the unsuc-
cessful applicant has only to wait short
time, possibly only few weeks, when
other portions of the territory will be
open to settlement.
"1f the commission appointed by the
president meets with anticipated success,
the Cherokee outlet containing over g.
000, 900 acres of land will, in a few weeks
or months, and without additional legis-
lRtiOn, be opened up to settlement under
the same terms as the land now being
occupied. The strip of land is nearly 900
miles long and "a miles wide, or three
times larger than Oklahoma proper. The
part of the Seminole and Creek purchase
west Of the 98th degree of longitude and
north of the Canadian River, containing
shout 2, 1000, 900 acres, will also be opened
up at an early day. These lands have
been purchased and paid for by the
United States, with the privilege of open
nag them to settlement under the home
stead law, and all that is required now
to accomplish this Is an order of the sec
retary of the interior removing the Ara
pahoes and Cheyennes north of the Ca
madam River to the south side of the
river, tho larger portion of the reserva-
ton being on the south side of the river
Homes Enough for All.
There is no doubt that the great influx
Of immigration into this region will COM
pei the department to open up these
lands at once. Therefore, I say the ex-
cess Of immigration into this country,
while sntaiing temporary hardships upon
the disappointed settlers, will be condu-
Give to great national prosperity, forcing
the government into at once opening up
the other unoccupied lands to settlement
There will be homes enough for all who
are now seeking them.
"It is matter of serious regret that
the senate did not pass the Oklahoma
bill. This bill would have furnished a
lawful government for the people, who
would have settled on these lands, and
would have entire confidence and dis
PEELED all fears of violence. But l have
great faith in the capacity of the Ameri-
can people to govern themselves, and
believe that the people who may settle
upon these lands will at once establish a
provisional government which will give
perfect security to persons and property.
How this can be accomplished l will ex-
plain briefly. AS soon as more than 100
people have assembled at any place like
ly to become town site, the inhabitants
should call mass meeting and at once
appoint provisional mayor and other
city officers, adopting for their guidance
and government the laws Of Kansas, the
nearest state, in reference to the govern
ment of cities and towns. This provis-
sional government should at once call an
election for aldermen and put a city
government in complete force. The
mayer of the city should next cooperate
in issuing call for territorial conven-
ton, to be composed of delegates from
every municipality or centre of popula-
ton.