The Indianapolis journal., 1889-07-16
THE CHEROKEE OUTLET.

Difficulties I'm the Way of Purchasing the
Tract and Opening 1t to Settlement
WASHINGTON, July 15.-The interest ex-
cited by the operations of the Sioux COM
mission has somewhat diverted public at
tention from the fact that another commits
sion has been intrusted with an errend of
hardly less consequence, and is now pur-
suing it. The acquisition of the strip of
land, containing about six million acres,
lying Immediately south of Kansas and
known as the Cherokee Outlet, is the nat
ural sequence of the opening of Oklahoma.
and indeed is almost public necessity, be-
cause it is the means of access to Oklahoma
from the north. Congress made a suitable
provision at the last session for this pur-
pose, and during the present summer the
attempt to carry out its wishes will be
made.
The undertaking, however is not free
from difficulty. Under the treaties of 1928
and 1888 the government granted to the
Cherokee nation a tract of 1000 600 acres
for permanent home, with the right to
control and administer it, and in addition
it guaranteed to the Cherokees IAN outlet
west, and free and unmolested use of all
the country lying west of the western
boundary of said 7,000, 900 acres as far west
as the sovereignty of the United States and
their right of soil extend" Under the sub
sequent treaty OF 1866 the government was
authorized TO settle friendly Indians in any
part of the Cherokee country west of the
ninety-sixth degree of longitude on paying
a price to be agreed upon for any lands
thus used. 1t was further stipulated that
the Cherokee, nation was Ito retain the
right of possession of and jurisdiction
over all of said country west of the
ninety-sixth degree of longitude until
thus sold and occupied. after which
their jurisdiction and right of possession
to terminate forever as TO each of said
districts thus sold and occupied A por-
tion of the Cherokee strip was us used for this
purpose, and the sum of S64S.000 was paid
TO the Indians. The tract now remaining
contains 6 or, ,239 acres, and this the gov
ernment seeks to acquire. Five or six
years ago the Indians leased il TO a com.
Missouri and Kansas, known as the Chero-
kee Strip Livestock Association, at an
annual rental of 100000
1t is already known that the Cherokees iH
general are opposed to rsconvey,ng the
veyance. at fair price. would be Tor the
interest OF both parties OF late years the
tract has been cause OF serious dIssenslon
among them. The proposed renewal of the
test between Bunch and Mayes for the
chieftaincy; and the contest became so bit
ter that tribal war was threatened The
results of the close election were disputed
and both sides armed, the United States
government eventually interfering TO de-
eide the election. Then began wrangle,
which lasted great many months In the
Cherokee Legislature, over the question
how much should be charged for the re-
newal of the lease. The government inter.
fered again. last autumn, with notifica-
tiOn to Chief Mdye5, and TO all other per-
sons concerned. that any lease which might
be made was subject to cancellation and
the expulsion of the lessees whenever the
government might think this course proper.
1t Is evident that tract leased under such
notice, and with the knowledge that Con-
gress now desires TO include this land under
common government with Oklahoma,
cannot bring the rental which it otherwise
might The government has an undeniable
right to use the lands for certain specified
purposes, and there is even a claim, whose
validity the Cherokees very naturally dis
pute, that the amount paid for settling the
Osages. Pawnees, Nez Perces. Poncas, Otoes
and Missourias on the Cherokee tract was
not for the specific lands ceded, but a part
payment on the whole tract.
Besides, the government is able and will
ing to pay more for the Cherokee Outlet
than any private company or individuals.
The cattle syndicate paid 100000 year
for five years for the use of this tract. It
afterward offered $4,000; Nobody pre-
ever been offered for il. But the govern
ment will pay S7.50O.000 for the release of
all Cherokee rights in il, and this, at 4 per
cent, would earn $500. 900 year The In
dians also would have this sum guaranteed
by the government instead of by private
corporation. liable to pecuniary difficulties.
This is the highest price ever paid for so
large tract, taking the bad land with the
good. Since it is practically impossible 20
keep the Cherokee Outlet from becoming a
thoroughfare between Kansas and Okla
homa, the Indians will be wise if they ac-
ment's liberal terms