The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-07
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". NJ. MURDOCH. Editor
OPEN THE STRIP.

There is 10 question that so Interests
LARGE number of citizens IN the south
west as does that of the early opening of
the Cherokee strip TO settlement. And
what seems to make it more imperative
now than ever before is the fact that all
+he conditions precedent have been com
nlied with and the details fully and
satisfactorily arranged. In fact, these
were all in proper form before the
adjournment Of congress IN the latter
mart of last summer, though no very
great surprise was experienced at the
failure of congress to act on the matter,
pending the national political campaign.
Whatever the reasons and excuses set
ND then. none Of them can be urged
now; all that is necessary to be done
now is for congress to ratify the treaty
made with the Indians, by
the commission, and provide
for the payment of the stipulated
sum of money in satisfaction OF the
Indians claims, which can and no
doubt will be done after the manner OF
other settlements, that Is, the placing OF
the aggregate amount to the claimants
credit, they to receive interest on same
at stated periods.
The treaty negotiated with the Chero-
KEGS must be ratified by congress before
the 4th of March or it will lapse and
new one will have to be negotiated; but
there is no reason for delaying action by
congress even as long as the holidays.
No partisan advantage can accrue now
by further delay, and this cannot be set
up as an excuse. 1t will cost no more
to ratify the treaty and open the lands
at once than it will three months hence,
which further delay will add to the
cost to the government. If congress
will act promptly the president can IS
sue his proclamation declaring the lands
open to settlement not later than the lst
of February This would be midwinter,
which might be urged as an objection
upon the ground that it would invite
hardship and suffering to those who
would go upon the lands. This is true,
but it would be but temporary, and less
oppressive than to defer the matter until
spring, which would cause repetition
of the Oklahoma opening and ITS twelve
to fifteen months of expense and deprlva-
ton from failure to secure cropsi the
first season. Large numbers of intend
ing settlers are already on the borders,
and have been for months, on expense
and without means of earning anything
for their support, and the comfort and
material interests of these would GER
tainly he best served by permitting them
TO go upon the lands and at once begin
the work of erecting homes.
And then the business interests Of the
border countries contiguous to the strip
demand the prompt settlement of the
long vexed question. The border terri
tory has already suffered not little by
the vascillating policy that has been pur-
sued, and i'll justice to these, if for no
other reason, the relief that can only be
given by opening the strip to settlement,
should be afforded by ongress without
another days unnecessary delay.
1t is hoped that the representatives in
both houses from the southwest, all of
whom must understand and appreciate
the situation, will lend their united and
earnest efforts in urging speedy cOnsum-
nation of this most important matter
Every days delay but adds to the dis
comfort and vexation of thousands of
good people, for which there is no
longer a shadow of excuse.