The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-12-11

vantageous character of the offer made by
the United States to the Cherokee nation,
for full release of these lands, as COM
pared with other suggestions now made TO
them, will vet obtain Tor it a favorable con-
sideration.
Opening ok =homa.
Under the agreement made between the
United States and the Muscogee Tor Creek
nation of Indians on the 18th day OF jan
uary, 1889, an absolute title was secured
by the United States to about 9,5O0,OO0
acres of land Sec. y of the general
Indian appropriation act, approved March
2 $780, made provision for the purchase
by the United States from the Seminole
tribe of a certain portion Of their lands.
The delegates of the Seminole nation. hav-
ing first duly evidenced to me their power
to act in that behalf, delivered a proper
release and conveyance TO the United
States of all the lands mentioned in the
act, which was accepted by me and certl-
fed to be in compliance with the statute.
By the terms Of both the acts referred to
all the lands so purchased were declared
TO be part of the public domain, and
open to settlement under the homestead
law. But OF the lands embraced in these
purchases, being in the aggregate about
100000 acres, $500, 600 acres had already,
under the terms of the treaty OF 1866, been
acquired bv the United States for the pur-
pose OF settling other Indian tribes there
on, and had been appropriated to that
purpose The land remaining and avail
able for settlement consisted OF ] ,SS7, 796
acres, surrounded on all sides by lands
in the occupancy of Indian tribes. Congress
had provided no civil government FOR the
people who were TO be invited by my
proclamation to settle upon these lands,
except as the new court, which had been
established at MuscOgee, or the L. 5.
courts in some of the adjoining states. had
power 10 enforce the general laws of the
United States. In this condition of things
was quite reluctant 10 open the lands to
settlement. But in view OF the fact that
several thousand persons, many Of them
with their families, had gathered upon the
borders of the Indian territory, with a
view to securing hOmesteads on the lands,
and that DELAY would involve them in
much loss and suffering, / did, on the 23d
day OF March last, issue proclamation
declaring that the lands therein described
would be open to settlement under the
provisions OF the law on the 22d day OF
April following. at u o'clock noon. Two
land districts had been established and the
Offices were open for the transaction of
business when the appointed time ar
rived.
1t is much to the credit of the settlers
that they very generally observed the linn
itatiOn as to the time when they might
enter the territory. Care viii be taken
that those who enter in violation of the
law do not secure the advantage they I'M
fairly sought. There was a good deal of
apprehension that the strife for locations
would result in much violence and blood
shed, but happily these anticipations were
not realized. 1t is estimated that there
are now in the territory about $4,000 peO-
pie; ;Snd several considerable towns have
sprung up for which temporary municipal
governments have been organized. Guth-
RE is said to have now population OF al
most 5000 Eleven schools and nine
churches have been established, and three
daily and five weekly newspapers are pub
lished IN this city, whose character and or
dinances have only the sanction of the
voluntary acquiescence of the people from
DAY to day. Oklahoma City has a popula-
ton OF about 5000 and is proportionately
as well provided as Guthrie with churches,
schools and newspapers. Other towns
and villages having populations OF from
100 to 1000 are scattered over the terri
tory.
In order to secure the peace of this new
community, in the absence of civil govern
ment, i directed Gen. Merritt, command
ing the department OF the Missouri, 10 act
in conjunction with the marshals of the
United States to preserve the peace, and
upon their requisitiOn 10 use the troops TO
aid them in executing warrants and in
quieting any riots or breaches of the peace
that might occur. He was further directed
to use his influence TO promote good order
and TO avoid any conflicts between or
with the settlers. Believing that the in
PRODUCTION and sale of liquors, where no
legal restraints or regulations existed,
would endanger the public peace, and IN
view OF the fact that such liquors must
first be introduced into the Indian reserva-
tions before reaching the white settle
ments, further directed the general com.
handing 10 enforce the laws, relating 10
the introduction OF an dent spirits into the
Indian country. The presence ofthe troops
has given a sense of security TO the well.
disposed citizens, and has tended TO re-
strain the lawless. In. one instance the
officer in immediate command OF troops
went further than l deemed justifable in
supporting the de facto municipal govern
ment of Guthrie, and he was so informed
and directed 10 limit the interference OF
the military to the support OF the marshals
on the lines indicated in the original
OtQtT. 4 urgently Tttoulhithtt lilul NOlf
cress at once provide territorial govern.
ment for these people. Serious questions
which may at any time lead to violent
outbreaks, are awaiting the institution OF
courts for their peaceful adjustment. The
American genius for self-government has
been we'll illustrated in Oklahoma, but it
is neither safe nor wise 10 leave these peo-
pie longer 10 the expedients which have
temporarily served them.
Legislation For Alaska.
Provision should be made for the acqui-
sition of title to town lots now established
in Alaska for locating town sites and for
the establishment of municirai t0veEa
ments Only the mining laws have bCeH
extended TO that territory, and no other
form of title TO lands can now be obtained.
The general land laws were framed with
reference to the disposition of agricultural
lands. and il is doubtful If their operation
| in Alaska would be beneficial. We have
fortunately not extended 10 Alaska the
mistaken policyof establishing reservations
| for the Indian tribes, and can deal with
them from the beginning as individuals
with, | am sure, better results. But any
disposition of the public lands, and any
regulations relating to timber and to the
| fisheries, should have kindly regard 10
| their interests Having no power to levy
! taxes, the people of Alaska are wholly de-
pendent upon the general government, 10
| whose revenues the seal fisheries make a
| large annual contribution. An appropria-
| tiOn for pducafion ghOnld neither he