Wichita eagle., 1889-02-12
THE OKLAHOMA BILL.
FULL TEXT OF TEE BILL AS IT
PASSED THE HOUSE FEBRU-
AIRY lST,


AIRY lST,
After Which It Went to the Senate, Wa.
Read and Referred to the Commit
tee on Territories February 5th.
A bill to organize the territory of Okla
homa and other purposes.
Be it enacted, etc., That all that part
of the United States included within the
following limits, except such portions
thereof as are hereinafter expressly ex
empted from the operations of this act
towlt: Bounded on the west by the
state of Texas and the territory of New
Mexico. on the north by the state of Col
orado and state of Kansas; on the east
by the reservation occupied by the Cher
okee tribe of Indians east Of the ninety.
sixth meridian of west longitude, and
by the Creek, Seminole and Chicasaw
reservations; and on the south by the
Creek. Seminole and Chickasaw reserva-
tons and by the state of Texas,
comprising what is known as the
Public Land Strip, and all that part of
the Indian territory not actually occu-
pied by the five civilized tribes, is created
1 ANNSO - tShit thC
name of the Territory Of Oklahoma:
Provided. That nothing in this act shall
| be construed to impair the rights of per-
son or property, Or to impair any patent
to or right of occupancy of lands now
pertaining to the Indians in said terri
tory under the laws and treaties of the
United States. executive order, or other
wise, or to include any territory occupied
hx- TvGi f,.il Il l.,
been conveyed by patent or otherwise
from the United States, or to which such
tribe may be entitled by law, executive
order, right Of occupancy, or
treaty, without the consent of
said tribe, or any territory which by
treaty or agreement with any Indian
tribe is not, without the consent of said
tribe, to be included within the territori-
al limits or jurisdiction of any state or
territory; but all such territory shall be
excepted out of the boundaries and con-
stitute no part of the territory of Okla
homa until said tribe shall signify its as
sent to the president of the United States
to be included in the said territory of
Oklahoma, except for judicial purposes
as provided herein, or to affect the au-
thority of the government of the United
States to make any regulation or enact
any law respecting said Indians, their
lands, property, or other rights, which it
would have been competent to make or
enact if this act had never passed.
Sec. 2. That there shall be a governor,
secretary, legislative assembly, supreme
court, attorney, and marshal for said
territory, who shall be appointed and
selected under the provisions of title
xiii, chapter /, of the revises statutes
OF the United States, relating to the gov
eminent of all territories. The provis-
ions of said title shall have the same
force and effect in the territory of Okla
homa as in other territories of the
United States: Provided, That all such
officers appointed and selected for said
territory after said territory has been
organized for period of five years shall
be appointed and selected from the
bona fide residents therein: Provided,
That the legislative assembly and dele
gates to the house of representatives shall
not be elected until the president shall
order; Provided further, That no'person
shall be entitled to vote at the first cleo
ton or to be elected to any office who
has not been bona fide resident of said
territory for sixty days previous to said
election: And provided further, That the
council in said territory shall consist of
thirteen members and the house of rep
shall consist of twenty-six
who may be increased to
Sec. 3. That the constitution and all |
laws of the United States which are not |
locally inappiicable shall have the same /
force and effect in said Territory of Ok |
lahoma as elsewhere IN the United |
States: Provided, that nothing in this |
act shall be construed to interfere with |
the local governments of any of the |
Indian tribes which may now be pro- |
vided for by the laws and treaties of the |
United States, or which may exist in |
thereto: And provided fur
Their, that the supreme court of the ter i
rity shall have jurisdiction and shall en-
brace all causes of action, crimes, and /
Offenses arising within the limits of the |
territory organized by this act; and all
laws heretofore passed granting juris-
lictiOn to the United States courts with
IN the limits Of said territory are hereby
repealed; but cases now pending shall
De prosecuted to their final disposition
herein the same as if this act had not
been passed.
Sec. 4. That the section of country
ying between the states of Kansas, Col
,rado and Texas, known as the Public
land Strip, is hereby declared to be
part of the public domain of the United
states, and shall be open to settlement
lnder the operation of the homestead
avs only. but the provisions of sections
No. 1901 Of the revised statutes shall not
apply to any entry of any of said lands.
Except as otherwise provided in this act;
provided, that the sixteenth and thirty
ixth sections of land in each township
hall be preserved for school purposes.
Sec. 8. That whenever the Creek and
tribes of Indians shall signify
heir assent to the provisions of this sec
ion, in legal manner, to the commission
provided for in this act, and the pres
dent has issued his proclamation. as
provided herein, the unoccupied lands
;eded to the United States by said tribes
lnder the treaties of June
4, 1866, and March p, 1866.
hall be open to settlement. except the
iXteenth and twenty-sixth section in
ach township, which shall be reserved
or school purposes, and shall be dis
losed of to actual settlers only. in GUAM 4
tiles not TO exceed one hundred and
ixty acres in square form to each set
Ter, at the price Of S1.25 cents per acre.
al persons who are heads of families or
ver q years of age. and who are citi- ;
ems of the United States, or have de- {
Jared their intention to become citizens
hereof, shall be entitled to become ac- !
ual settlers on such lands An accurate {
shall be kept by the secretary