Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-04
7E5LETTN T3TY REGISTER WEDNESDAY DECEI6FI Ioo9.

was. it is understood, finally obtained
TO the proposition made by Congress,
though the report Of the commission has
not vet been submitted. In view OF these
facts, shall not as at present advise II
necessary to submit the agreement to
Congress for ratification, but 1t Will IL
due course be submitted for Information.
CHEROKEE INDIAN LANDS.
The commission provided for be section
IA of the Indian appropriation bill 10
negotiate with the Cherokee Indians and
ali other Indians owning or claiming
lands living west of the ninety-sixth de-
gree of longitude for the cession to
the United States of all such lands,
was constituted by the appointment oil
Hon. Lucius Fairchild, of Wisconsin; Hon.
John F. Hartranft, of Pennsylvania, and
Hon. Alfred NJ. Wilson, of Arkansas, and
organized on June 29th last. Their tirst
conference with the representatives Of the
Cberokees was held at Tahlequah July %,
with no definite results. General John F.
Hartranft, Of Pennsylvania, was prevented
by i'll health from taking part in the con-
ference. His death, which occurred re-
Gently. is Justly and generally lamented by
a people he had served with conspicuous
gallantry in war and with great fidelity IN
peace. The vacancy thus created
was filed by the appointment OF
Hon. Warren G.. Sayre, Of Indiana.
A second conference between the Commits
sion and the CheIokees was begun NOvem-
Der 6. bat no results have yet been obtain
ed. nor is it believed that conclusion can
be Immediately expected. The cattle syn
dicste now occupying the lands for grazing
purposes is clearly one Of the agencies re-
sponsible for the obstruction Of our nego'
tiations with the Cherokees. TIE large
body of agricultural lsBds constituting
what ia known as the "CherOkee Outlet
ought not to be, and indeed can not longer
be, held for grazing and for the advantage
of few against the public interests and the
best advantage of the Indians themselves.
The United States has now under the tres-
ties certain rights in these lands. These will
not be used oppressively, bat it Can not be
allowed that those who, by sufferarce, &C.
cupy these lands shall interpOse to defeat
the wise and benefcent purposes of the
government. | cannot but believe that
the advantageous character OF the Offer
made by the United States to the Cherokee
Nation for full release Of these lands, as
compared with other suggestions now
made to them, will yet obtain fer it 8
favorable consideration.
CREEK AND SEMINOLE LANDS SECURED.
Under the agreement made between the
United States and the Muscogee Cor Greek
nation of Indians on the 18Th day of Jsnu'
airy, 1899, en- absolute title was secured by
the United States to about three and hall
millions of acres Of land. Section II Of
the general Indian appropriation act, ap
proved March g. 1882 made provision fol
the purchase by the United States from the
Seminole tribe of q certain portion of theil
lands. the delegates Of the Seminole nation
having first duly evidenced 10 me iheii
power to act in that behalf, delivered d
proper release and conveyance 10 the Uni
ted States of all the lands mentioned in
TIE act, which was accepted by me and
certified 70 be in compliance with the
statute By the terms Of both the acts re.
ferred to all the lands so purchased were
declared to be part of the public domain
and open to settlement, under the home
stead law. Bat of the lands embraced il
these purchases, being in the aggregate
about five and d hall million acre., thret
aud half million sores had already, under
the terms of the treaty of 1866, been &C
CURED by the Uoile6 States for the pur
pose of settling other Indian tribes there
on, ard had been appropriated for that
purpose. The land remaining and avails
bic Tor settlement GOES ted Of 1 1857, 79t
acre., Surrounded "a all sides by lands il
the occupancy Of IGdian tribes. Congress
had provided