Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-01
JUDGE PERKINS GAINED.
The Third District Congressman Is "'e0 vi
Al the Carey by a Delegation Oh Caio-
wells Citizens.

wells Citizens.
Ats o'clock Yesterday Judge B. w. Per-
kius, United States congressman from the
Fifth district. arrived in the city from the
east and registered at the Carey. In the
evening the nudge started out for walk,
accompanied by several friends and paid
visit TO Colone, Stewart, of the Metropole.
At TO- o'clock Mr.. Perkins received word
that a delegation had arrived from Cald-
we'll and desired an interview. Upon ar
irving at the Carey he found Judge j. A.
Burnette, ex-Mayor Geo. w. Reilly, NJ. NJ.
Barnard and o. Beeson, all of Caldwell.
After an interchange Of courteses the way
WAS lead TO one of the parlors of the hotel
where the party was met by Mayor Glenn
ent and the city council when CONVERSE
ton WAS again INDUCED in.
Ex-Mayor Reilly, of Caldwell. then
arose and informed Mr.. Perkins
that Judge Burhette, of Caldwell, had a
few words to say. Mr.. Brunette then
spoke as follows:
We are here for the purpose of doing hon
or unto one unto whom honor is due: we
have met to show our appreciation of the
services of one OF the most unselfish OF
men.
there is tide IN the affairs of men, which,
taken at its flood. leads on to fortune;
omitted, all their after lives are bound in
shadows and in miseries."
Equally true is it that there are crises in
the history of every movement, when the
weak and hesitating falter and desert:
then is it that the true statesman and real
patriot comes TO the rescue sinks all con-
siderations for self, party or faction, and
goes, if need be, into political exile that
the cherished object of his life may sur
vive.
Such period occurred in the history of
the Oklahoma movement on the I'd of last
March, when all was dark and everything
seemed lost, and the most sangulne and
courage of our friends were fain to give
up all hope, and our enemies were sheer
ing and jeering at us in their hour OF sup
posed victory.
But had they not forgot, alas, to reckon
with their hosts'
At that supreme and critical moment
there was one man who was equal to the
occasion, one who rose to the eXIgencies of
the hour, one who said, though l may
bury myself politically forever, yet will |
not forsake my friends in this their hour
of sorest need.
Shall tell you that the name of this
grand and noble man is Bishop w. Per-
kins, of Kansas? Loyalty assisted though
he was, all the honor and glory are his:
the names of Warner, Mansur, Peters,
Springer and Weaver win ever be held in
grateful remembrance by the friends of
Oklahoma but high over all and above all
in their estimation will stand he name of
our friend who is with us this evening.
No longea is Oklahoma the home of the
cut-throat and outlaw nor the rendezvous
of the bandit and robber no longer does
the self-contained cattle baron drive his
herds unchecked across her pains; no Ion
ger is the festive cow-puncher lord of all
he surveys, with none TO modest or make
him afraid; no longer is there Chinese
wall on the southern border of our state
that Is inIpervious to all except a filthy
Indian or a hireling of that arrogant, con-
ceited and staggering corporation, the
Cherokee Strip Live Stock association.
All this is changed Where but few
short months ago was A broad eXpanse of
unbroken prairie are now prosperous
towns and splendid farms. But while we
honor our friend for his gallant and noble
efforts In the past we expect even greater
things ia the future, for while the entering
wedge has been driven and a breach made
in the works OF the enemy. there is her
Culean task before us still; our foe is not
sleeping, but is silently and secretly mass
ing his forces for the grand assault which
lie knows full well is inevitable.
Not until the Cherokee strip is wrested
from the uuhoiy alliance of the cattle
baronS and the Indians, and placed where
1t rightfuly belongs, a part of the public
domain and opened to settlement, Will the
friends of Oklahoma, or 'booomers" If
You please, be satisfied
And now, sir, i'll the name of the best
part of the citizens of the city of Caldwell,
irrespective OF party affiliations and IN be-
half of hundreds more who have found
happy homes upon the bosom of the land
you have done much to redeem, in the
name of progress and civilization itself, al |
n
token of our appreciation of your grand |
and noble efforts. Take it, cherish it, and |
If by reason of hoary age and declining |
years it snail be necessary to guide and sup |
port your tottering foot steps, lean upon it |
and trust It, even as We have learned to |
lean upon you and trust you,
The cane Is n handsome black ebony |
surmounted with a heavy gold head on |
which is the following inscription: Bishop /
w. Perkins, Fiitieth United States con
gress, from his Oklahoma friends, Cald- |
well, Kansas, March t, 1889" Judge Per- |
kins took the cane and for a few minutes
seemed at II loss what to say, but he
quickly rallied and replied somewhat as
follows:
Gentlemen, this would have been sur
prise until an hour ago, but can not say
that am surprised though [ am over
street short time ago it was whispered in
my ear that something like this would
take place, Previously l have known that
the Caldwell delegation We're seeking an
interview, but supposed it was about the
Cherokee commission and did not for
an instant dream of a presentation"
The Judge then entered into the details
of what had occurred in Washington at
the time he fought for the Oklahoma bill
and said ii was his good fortune to be on
the Indian appropriation committee and
in that way was able to do what little he
had done Continuing. the speaker said
the Oklahoma bill WAS but n wedge which
had been driven in and which would tend
TO open the whole of the Indian country
and did not think ii would be long before
The Cherokee country would be the home
of white men instead of the haunts of In
dians and cowboys. Il for one" said Mr..
cherokee country for settlement and treat
ing with the Indians afterwards if the lat
Ter do not accept the terms offered by the
commission. / do not think this fine coUn
Try should be kept in the hands of Indians
and cattle barons when so many people in
the United States want the country for
homes | will do what l can
toward this end and know the gentleman
who has the honor to represent this dis
trict in congress thinks of this matter the
Same as do. If this country was opened
up what fine thing it would be for
Southern Kansas and for Wichita and