Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-04-01
TEE CHEROKEES.
Matters Progressing Satisfactorily
at Tahlequah.
THE TOOTHSOME MORSELS In SIGHT.
The Indians VIII obtain Much Lucre For
Ratifying the Bill Banks Offer
Heavy Premiums For
the iiOnds.

INC
TAuIEQUAu. |. r., March 3O.-Yestcr-
Nday was by far the most Interesting
day of the present session of the coun-
ell The interest manifested by both
Indians and outsiders shows that there
is no lack of enthusiasm over the pros
poets of an early opening of the Chero-
lsce strip
The chief and members of both
branches of the Legislature seem to be
thoroughly in harmony with each other,
something that has not occurred before
in many years This, taken in connec-
ton with the general satisfaction ex-
pressed with the conditions of the trade,
is considered as guarantee that the
amendment will be ratified within
reasonably short time.
There is Il small element, however,
which favors some amendments to the
original bill as passed by congress, but
it is believed that this opposition is too
weak to accomplish anything. The
masses of the Indians believe it would
certainly result in great calamity to
the nation should the council fail to
ratify the congressional amendment
In case an amendment is agreed to by
the council, the whole matter will nee
cssarily have To be sent back to con-
gress to be concurrcd in before the strip
can be opened.
This would consume ut least another
years time, and, besides working great
hardships upon prospective settlers
now on the border of the strip, would
result in no advantage to the Indians,
but instead might arouse feeling in
Washington that would lead to the
opening of the land without further
negotiations with the Cherollees
Another good indication that the cess
sion will be made arises in the fact that
the cattlemen are making no fight to
defeat it. Everybody here knows that
had it not been for the cattlemen the
strip would have long since been opened
to settlement, and upon this occasion
the lul.cwarmness of the cattlemen is
taken us an indication that the pros
poets for the strip are exceedingly
bright. Another thing which is doing
much good towards inducing the coun-
ell to ratify is the spirited contest now
going on in the money market to get
hold of the $500, 900 loans which the
Cheroliecs are ut liberty to make, pledg-
ing the government for security.
1t is claimed here that as high pre-
MUM as $500, 900 has been offered, so it
will b, seen that the Indians will not
only b, abe 70 res'izc the parchase
price OF sS,Sjo, 900, Dat they will secure
$500, 900 premium making in all ss,6O0,-
900 in cash, which sum will be paid out
per capita, scattering the money broad
cast almost.
One of the most troublesome things
to be settled before the council adj
journs is final settlement with the
Delawares, Shawnees and freedmen,
whose portion of the strip money, as
the thing now stands, is tn be held in
the treasury of the United States until
their status as citizens is finally settled
by the United States supreme court
This clause in the agreement does
not exactly suit those people,
the Delawares in particular A
delegation of De!awares, headed
by Cherokee Campbell, is here
with proposition to settle the account
with the ChcrolSces rather than TO enter
suit against them in the United States
court. A compromise viii! probably be
effected which will result in the Della
wares being paid their share of the
strip money at the same time that the
Cherollees get theirs. The Shawnees
and freedmen will endeavor to do like
wise. There seems to be general dis
position on the part of the Cherokees
to make peace with all warning fac
tions, and when the inevitable state
hood comes they will be in shape to re-
ceive it