Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-11-08

| the actor met his former stage direct or
some time after the two then talked the
matter over and came TO the conclusion
that Booth had been victimizea by clever
scoundrel who knew their friendly rela-
tons.
Important Ruling the Cherokee Strip
Question.
Secretary Noble has ad ressed long
letter to Gov. Fairchild, chairman of the
Cherokee commission. in which he defines
certain positions that the department will
maintain i'll negotiating with the Cherokees
for the purchase of the Indian land in the
Cherokee outlet. I he secretary refers TO
the illegitimatc influence of the Cherokee
Strip Live Stock association" in attempt
ing to thwart the bereticent purposes of
the government. The secretary reaches
the conclusion that the syndicate's pur-
pose is to outbd the United States for
these lands and to enter the arena as citi-
zens contending with the national govern
ment. The secretary insists that Che cat
tie syndicate falls within the law prohibit
ing citizens from making n lease With the
Indians; that the lease Of the Cherokee
strip is unlawful and illegal; that 4e pres
ident has authority to declare INVALID an
agreement or lease for grazing purposes
made contrary to the provisions of law,
which provides that the purchase, lease or
grant of Indian lands. to be Valid. must
be made by treaty pursuant to The const-
tuition and that the president has author
lily to remove unauthorized persons from
the reservation whenever their presence is
believed to be detrimental to the peace and
welfare of the Indians.
The secretary, in conclusion, Gays the
proposition of the United States is not
only fair, but muniiicent, while the title
to use of land. even by the Cherokces is
prccarious; that the cattle syndicate has
no authority to make q lease such as is
proposed, and by its evident intention to
rival and defeat the government, on winch
it depends, it forfeits all claim to indul-
gent consideration, and can and ought to
be expelled from the outlet. The secre-
tary therefore announces. in order that it
may be communicated without delay to
the Cherokee nation, tina, in his opinion
those who propose to make leases do SO
with the knowledge that such leases are
unauthorized and may at any time within
the discretion of the United States gov
ernment be set aside 1t is deemed ne .es-
sary that such iessees shoull be compelled
to leave said outlet with their property on
or before the 1st of June next, it being
deemed proper not to fix the time earlier,
that they may escape without injury or
suffering to their cattle and nerds. If the
Cherokees 10 not wish to sell they are Mt
liberty to keep their lands under the broad
burdens resting thereon in favor of the
United States. unless the United States
sees fit hereafter to assert its right bv
superior title.
The Present Situation in Samoa
The Associated Press correspond int at
Apia, under date of October 8, co4tir,ns
election OF Mataafa as king of Samoa
by the chiefs of the various districts. 1t
was expressly provided that NJ taafa
should serve as king only until the agree
ment entered into lv the three foreign
powers should 90 into effect. and then, if
necessary, new election would be held.
1amaseses followers did not signify their
assent to the election. The correspond
ent also states that a number of Tamases's
followers Oh the island of sayaii made an
attack on some Of NIataafa's followers.
When the news Of this attack was received
Mataafa sent word to his people as the
place where the trouble occurred TO de-
mand that the guilty parties be delivered
to them. The correspondent adds: "The
excitement has been increased here by the
fact that 100 of Mataafa's followers are
now leaving Apia for Savaii, where they
will be joined by others. Their intention
is to burn the houses of Tamnses's men if
the parties who attacked their friends arc
not given up peaceably. 1t is not inn
probable the expedition may result in an
open conflict between the forces of Ma
taafa and Tanasese at Savaii." Com
mander Woodward. of the United States
steamer Adams, was a passenger on the
steamer Marpose. He discredits the cable
dispatch from Sydney about battle be-
tween the native forces of Samoa. He
does not know Of any of Mataafa's follow
ers having gone to Savaii, and says there
were no indications of trouble when he
left Apia.
A Steamer Burned, with Loss of Life.
The steamer Quinte was burned to the
waters edge q few nights since near Des-
eronto. Five lives are known to have been
lost and it is thought more. The dead are
Capt. Christie, Mrs. Christie. mother of the
captain; Cyrus Christie, The captains son;
John Christie, the captains brother, and
the lady's maid. The details of the disas-
ter show that the fire originated in the en-
CINE room. SO far as can be ascertained.
and spread rapidly, the steamer being
ablaze in q very few minutes AS far AS
ascertalned the passengers were all saved.
though three or four We're severely burned.
The boat was owned by the Rathburn COM