Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-04-26
OKLAHOMA.
Provisions OF the Territorial Blll 10 Finally
Agreed Upon In Conference.

Agreed Upon In Conference.
WASHINGTON, April 2L-The confer.
rees appointed by the two branches OF
Congress to adjust the differences be-
tween the Senate and House on their
respective bills providing for tenn.
porary government for the Territory OF
Oklahoma have finally reached
full agreement The new Territory
OF Oklahoma Is somewhat smaller than
the Territory originally contemplated
by the House and larger than the Sem
ate intended it should be. 1t includes
practically all of the lands west OF the
Five Nations except that portion OF the
Cherokee Strip lying west OF the Arkan-
sas river and Greer County Is also
omitted. The Cherokee Strip. however,
Is included for judicial purposes 1t Will
not be added to Oklahoma until after 1t
is purchased from the Cherokees.
The first section OF the bill defines the Ter
rltory included In the following language:
All that portion Of the United States now
known as the Indian Territory, except so
much OF the sumo as 10 actually occupied by
the five Civilized tribes and the Indian
tribes within the Quapaw Indian agency
and except the unoccupied part OF the Chero'
zee Outlet. together with that portion OF the
United States known as the Public Land
strip. is hereby erected into temporary
Government by the name Of the Territory OF
Oklahoma.
This section OF the bill also provides that
nothing In the act shall be construed to I'M
pair any right now pertaining to any Indians
or any Indian tribe of the Indian Territory
under the laws, agreements or treaties OF the
United States or to impair the rights OF per-
son or property pertaining to the Indians OF
to affect the authority Of the Government to
make any regulations or laws, respecting
Indians, their lands, property or other rights
which It would have been competent to
make or enact II the Territorial act had not
been passed. 1t Is provided, however, thas
the Cherokee Outlet and other lands now
owned or occupied by Indians within the
prescribed territory may be added to OKLA
homa without further legislation.
1t Is also stipulated that Congress may at
any time hereafter change the boundary OF
the Territory or attach any portion OF IL to
any other State or Territory without the
consent OF the inhabitants OF Oklahoma.
The second section OF the bill describes the
duties and powers OF the Governor. He snail
hold Office for four years.
The third section relates to the Secretary
Of the Territory. His term Ia also four years
The fourth section relates to the Legisla-
! tnre OF the Territory. Provision Is made foI
a Council and House OF Representatives.
! The Council 10 to consist OF thirteen mem
| beers and the term of service Is two years.
The House Is to consist Of twenty.six mem
! beers and the term OF service Is also two
years. The Legislature Is to meet biennially
aud the session Is limited to sixty days.
t., Ia Nrr oil
| organization Of q temporary government
until after the first election In the Territory
| The Governor Is to fix their boundaries, but
| the county seats are located rs follows: First
! county, Guthrie; second county, Oklahoma
! CITY third county, Norman; fourth county
! Ell Reno fifth county, kinghsher City. The
sixth county, which embraces the Public
! Land Strip, will have Its county seat al
! Beaver.
The fifth section OF the bill prescribes the
qualifications for suffrage. 1t reads: Sec
ton S-That all male citizens OF the United
! States above the age OF twenty -one years
and all male persons of foreign birth ovel
said age who shall have twelve months prior
! thereto declared their intention to become
| citizens OF the United States as now required
by law, who are actual residents ut the time
| OF the passage OF this act OF that por-
ton OF said Territory which was declared
by the proclamation OF the President
to be open for settlement on April ~, IS 8, OF
that portion Of said Territory heretofore
! known as the Public Land Strip, shall be en-.
titled to vote at the first election In the Ter
ritory.
The sixth section of the bill describes the
power OF the Legislature, being similar In
this respect to the enactment In relation to
ct or Territories OF the United states.
The seventh section relate sto township,
district and county officers and provides that
such IA are necessary shall be appointed BY
the Governor until laws relating to them are
passed by the Legislature.
The eighth section provides that no men,
Der of the Legislature shall hold any other
Office during his term and for one year after
| It's expiration. This restriction, however, Is
not TO be applicable to members Of the first
Legislature United States postmasters,
however, are eligible
The court features of the bill begin with
section and occupy most OF the remaining
sections OF the bill-s4 In all. The judicial
power of the Territory of Oklahoma will be
ve.ted In the Supreme Court, district courts,
prob tie court and justices OF the peace.
The jurisdiction OF the United states courts,
which has heretofore extended from outside
of the Territory, Is withdrawn, but cases now
pending. or actions commenced prior to the
passage Of this act, are to be proceeded with
until final y disposed OF by these outside
courts.
Provision Is made for county courts and
their jurisdiction is describ, at length.
The Governor IL authorized to divide each
county into precincts and other political
subdivisions, other than school districts,
that may be required by the laws Of Ne
bnaslka, and he is authorized to appoint tenn
porary officers.
Section u Of the bill confers Jurisdiction
upon the district courts Of Oklahoma over