Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-10

| dian reservations by allotments in severalty
TO the Indians, and the ceSsion of the re-
| manning lands to the United states for dis
position under the homestead law, hes been
prosecuted during the year with energy and
success. In September last was enabled to
open TO settlement in the territory of Okla
taken up by settlers in single day. The
rush for these lands was accompanied by a
great deal of excitement. but was happily,
! Tree from lncidennt of violence.
A Deficiency Appropriation Needed.
1t was a source of great regret that was
not able to open at the same time the sur
plus lands of the Cheyenne and Arepahoe
| reservation, amounting to 100000 acres, by
reason of the insufliciency OF the appropria-
tion for making the allotments. Deserving
and impatient settlers are waiting to occupy
these lands, and urgently recommend that
a special deficiency appropriation be
promptly made of tine small amount needed,
50 that the allotments may he completed
and the surplus land opened in time tn per-
NIT the settlers to get upon their homesteads
in the early spring.
During the past summer the Cherokee
commission has completed arrangements
with the Wichita. Kickapoo and Tonkawa
tribes, whereby, if the agreements are rati-
fled by Congress, over 100000 additional
acres Will be opened to settlement in Okla
homa.
The negotiation for the release bv the
Cherokees Of their claim to the Cherokee
Strip has made no substantial progress, so
far as the department is officially advised,
put 1t is Still hoped the cession of these
large and valuable tracts may be secured.
The price which the commission was author
lied to offer-Sl 25 per acTe-is. in my iudg-
ment when all the circum stances as to title
and the character of the lands are consid-
cred. a fair and adequate one, and should
have been accepted by the Indians.
The New Lands Open to Settlement.
Since March T. 1880, about 23OO1,GOo acres
have been separated from Indian reserva-
tions and added to the public domain, for
the use OF those who desired free homes
under our beneicent laws. 1t is difficult
to estimate the increase of wealth which
will result from the conversion of these vast
lands into farms but it is more difficult to
estimate the betterment which will result
to the families that have renewed hope,and
courage in the ownership of a home and the
assurance of comfortable subsistence
under free and healthful conditions.
1t is also gratifying to be able to feel, as
we may. that this work has proceeded from
lines OF justice toward the Indian, and that
he may now, if he will, secure to himself the
good condolences of a settled habitation. the
fruits of industry and the surity of citizen
snip.
Early in this administration special
effort was begun to bring up the work of the
General Land Office. BY faithful work the
arrearages have been rapidly reduced. At
the end of the last fiscal year only 81, ,l72
final agricultural entries remained undis-
posed of, and the commissioner reports that,
with the present force, the work can be
fully brought up by the end of the next fiscal
year.
The Court OF Private Land Claims.
Your attention is called to the difficulty
presented by the Secretary of the Interior
as to the administration of the law of March
L., 1881, establishing q Court of Private Land
Claims The small holdings intended to be
protected by the law are estimated to be
more than 5000 in number. The claimants
are most deserving class, and their titles
are supported by the strongest equities.
The difficulty grows out of the fact that
the lands have largely been surveyed &C
cording to our methods, while the holdings
many of which have been in the same family
for generations. are laid out in narrow strips
n few rod, wide upon stream running back
to the hills for paSturage and timber. Pro-
visions should be made for numbering these
tract as lots. and for patenting them by such
numbers and without reference to section
lines.