Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-04-25
.a.iiTARY LAW.
General Merritt Responsible For Order In
Oklahoma - Stockslager Explains the
Law-Postai Facilities.

/ Oklahoma - Stockslager Explains the
i Law-Postai Facilities.
| WASHINGTON, April 1S-Anticipattns
| trouble and possibly fatal collision, 1t has
been determined to place Oklahoma under
/ military law, and Secretary Proctor has
! ordered General Merritt to take the field
| and assume command of the military
forces, proceeding at once to Kinghsher
station. Secretary Proctor will not dis
close the instructions given General Mer-
ritt, but from what can be gathered they
undoubtedly give him authority to use
unlimited discretion in preserving order
by the armed forces OF his command.
| This practically constitutes General Mer-
ritt Military Governor of Oklahoma
General Merritt, who is already on the
| ground, had some doubt as to just what
his course of action should be in case OF
disturbance among the colonists with
which the United States Marshal at
Muskogee, who would ordinarily be
charged with the preservation of order,
and his deputies should be unable to cope,
and yesterday he telegraphed to the War
Department asking for special instruc-
tions. Secretary Proctor and General
Schofield had a lengthy conference over
the matter, but finally concluded to COM
|
the Interior Department before issuing
any orders.
| Accordingly q long conference on the
subject took place at the White House
yesterday afternoon at which Presi-
dent Harrison, Secretaries Proctor
and Noble and Attorney-General Miller
were present. The conference lasted un-
til nearly six O'Clock, when Secretary
Proctor went over to the War Department
where General Schofeld was awaiting
him, and an order was Immediately for
warded by telegraph to General Merritt
| Secretary Proctor declined to give the
order to the press, but it Is understood
| that it gives General Merritt extraordinary
| discretionary powers and authorizes him
to use his own judgment as to when and
how to use the troops under his command.
This order is issued in accordance with.
paragraph SJ3 of the army regulations,
which, after quoting the section
of the Revised Statutes authoriz-
ing the use of troops, reads as fol-
lows: Officers of the army will
not permit the use of troops under
their command to aid the civil authorities
as posse cOmitatus or in execution of the
laws except as authorized in the fore-
going enactments. If time will admit the
application for the use of troops must be
forwarded with statement of the mate
rial facts for the consideration and action
of the President, but in cases of sudden
and unexpected invasion. insurrection or
riot endangering the public property Of
the United States or in case Of at
tempted or threatened robbery or inter-
ruption of the United States mails or
other equal emergency officers of the army
| + ipI- ha
take such action before the receipt of in
structions from the seat of government as
the circumstances and the law under
which they are acting may justify, and
will then promptly report their actions
and the reasons therefor to the Adjutant-
General for the information of the Presi-
dent"
General Merritt has a large force of men
under his command, and will station them
throughout the Territory wherever in his
judgment they may be needed.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
Commissioner Stockslager has made pub
lie letter concerning homestead entries
in Oklahoma, addressed to d. d. Halstead,
Purcell, l. T. 1t runs thus:
In reference to a memorandum of five ques-
tions received from you under date OF April IS,
1 have to state that it is not usual to answer
hypothetical questions, but in view of the
anomalous conditions affecting the public lands
in Oklahoma will state as follows, viz:
First-A person desiring to become an actual
settler under the Honest cad laws may initiate
his claim by entry at the district land-on1ce
after properly selecting and examining the
land desired, in which case he is allowed six
months from date Of entry within which to
establish his actual residence on the land, or,
if he so elect, he may initiate his claim
| hu nal land. which
consist OF some act acts connecting him.
self with the particular tract claimed said
act or acts to be equivalent to an announce
ment OF such his intention and from which the
public generally may have notice Of his claim
Thereafter he is allowed three months within
which TO make his claim Of record by entry
| at the district land-ofice. Which OF these two
methods should be chosen is matter for the
party's election according to the circum-
stances and his own judgment Of which is most
desirable.
Second and Third-Of two bona Hde settlers
! or claimants the one whose settlement or entry
is prior In time will have the superior right
When the inception of the claim is simultane-
| ous-that is at the same time precisely-the
!, | legal right is equal and the question can { be
! | decided according to the equities and the land
awarded TO the party having the superior
equities If any, then IL has been the practice to
put the land up between the claimants and to
|
} highest for the privilege.
! Fourth-The act Of March 9, 1889, enacts that
until said lands are opened for settlement by
proclamation of the President no person shall
, be permitted to enter upon and occupy the
same and no person violating this provision
shall ever be permitted TO enter any OF said
lands or acquire any right thereto. The Presi-
dents proclamation of March %, 1859, calls at
tention expressly TO this provision and directs
that IL be strictly enforced. (See circular or
April /, 1882 copy enclosed)-
Fifth am not prepared in advance OF 9
case arising to give an opinion rs TO wha: par
SECULAR act acts will be considered q violation
of the law in this respect
POSTAL FACILITIES.
The Post office Department officials are
making active preparations for the imme-
diate erection of two post-offices in Okla
homa-one at Kingfsher and the other at
Guthrie. Several post-office inspectors
are now on the ground examining pro-
posed mail routes into the country and
between all important points. For
the present all mails will enter
the country from the north over
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
and from the south they will be carried by
regular Government contractors. It is
expected that the mail facilities will equal
the needs of the settlers. Mail for the
land Office towns and other principal
points will probably go forward on the
very day or at least on the day following
the one on which the Presidents procla-
nation goes into effect.
1
An Obstreperous Music Teacher.
| CINCINNATI. April 18-An exciting scene