The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1890-02-07
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS
Facts About the Area of Oklahoma
BrOught0utby Debate in the Senate.
Size Of the Proposed Territory as Defined in
the Bill-New Code of Rules Presented to
the H~ouse-Pension Measure Passed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Gin the Senate to-
day bills authorizing the construction of a
bridge across the Detroit river at Detroit,
and across the Missouri river at Natchez,
were reported back adversely from the
committee on commerce. The first was in
definitely postponed, and the second was
placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Harris moved an adjournment from
to-day till Monday. Nh. Blair objected to
the motion, saying that he had not finished
his remarks on the school bill yesterday;
that he had hardly hoped to do so to-day.
and that he expected to close his speech to-
morrow. He, therefore. hoped that the
Senate would not adjourn over till Monday.
After some further debate the motion of
Mr.. Harris was agreed TO.
The Senate then took up the bill to pro-
vide a temporary government for the Ter
ritory of Oklahoma, and the clerk
continued the reading of the bill. which had
been begun yesterday. After considerable
discussion the provision in Section o. under
which persons of foreign birth, having de-
clared their intention to become citizens,
are permitted to vote at the first election,
was SO amended as to require persons of
foreign birth to have declared their inten-
ton to become citizenstwelve months prior
to the election.
Mr.. Ingalls, asked Mr.. Plat to state the
number of square miles included In the
definition of the bill as it now stood. Mr..
Platt said it comprised over 5000 o acres,
or about 1900 or 5000 square miles.
Mr.. Ingalls-A small area for a territorial
government.
Mr.. Jones of Arkansas think that the
Senator from Connecticut mistakes the
area of this territory. The amount pur-
r. H. r.-- l-.A - -
more than that, to say nothing of the land
acquired from the SeininOles, making about
live or six million acres.
Mr.. Platt-I think l am not mistaken.
The plan of the committee has been to ap-
ply to the territory that is now open for
settlement, under the proclamation of the
President. the ordinary form of territorial
government. AT the Same time we recog-
niZe the fact that, almost in the immediate
future, other lands are to be opened To set
Element; but, as we understand 1t, an act
of Congress will be required to open them,
and whenever an act of Congress shall be
passed. opening these other lands, they VIII
undoubtedly be attached TO this territory
and so, at no distant day. the area of the
Territory of Oklahoma, will be very much
more considerable han nOw.
Mr.. Edmunds-HOw much more!
Mr.. Platt-It will undoubtedly occupy
an area of 30 1000 or more square miles.
Mr.. Ipgalls-What is the maximum area
tEd van 10 iud Al II 1SAi2tOAJ Va
Oklahoma?
MIR. Platt-Of lands now paid for and
cededf
Mr.. Ingalls-Yes.
Mr.. Platt-Flve million three hundred
and forty-five thousand acres-a little more
than the area defined in this bill.
Mr.. Ingalls-What, in addition to the
present area, can be included when other
Indian titles are extingnished..
Mt. Platt-The Cherokee outlet, the land
n0aunioH m fha tract hu fba Ehauannac md
Arapahoes; Grier county, Arkansas. and all
the land occupied by the five nations. There
are innumerable questions to arise If you
60 outside of the lands now open to settle
ment. But the committee recognizing the
fact that there must be government down
there. or else there will be blOOdshed and
anarchy. felt that the only thing to beaione
was to relegate this question to the fut-
ure, and TO provide a government for the
country now occupied.
Mr.. Vest-The limits in this bill do not
include NO-man's Land?
Mr. P~latt-They do not. 1 should have
stated that.
Mr.. Dawes-Do the five million acres in
clude the area embraced in the two acts of
last COngressf
Mr.. Plumb-They do not.
Mr.. Hale said that 1t was clear to him
that the Senate ought not to agree to this
scheme and paraphernalia of a territorial
government for an area of only three thou
sand square miles, unless it was clearly
stated in the bill that it was in contempla-
tion hereafter to add largely to the lands
covered by the bill.
After further discussion. and the adop-
tion of various amendments, the bill went
over till Monday to allow tho educational
bill 10 be taken up. Mr.. Blair resumed his
speech in it's advocacy, and after speaking
for two hours, yielded the floor, intending
to conclude his speech on Monday.
After an executive session, the Senate ad-
journed till Monday.