The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-02-17
NOT THIS SPRING.
Impossible For the Cherokee Strip
to Be Opened For Months
LONG DELAYS NOT TO BE AVOIDED.
Delegate Harvey Says 1t Will BE Well For
Intending settlers to Govern Them
selves AccordingIy-so
Does Peel

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-Delegate Har-
vey, of Oklahoma, said to a correspond
ent:
by the many letters 1 receive from
those interested in the opening of the
Cherokee strip think it would be well
to state that it will be impossible to get
the land open in time to plant crops
| this spring.
This is sad statement and have
hesitated to make it, but as / now
clearly see that it is true, it is my duty
to those who are so deeply interested
to make the fact known.
''We have been working with the
hope that the land would be thrown
open in time for the settlers to COM
mence farming this spring, but owing
to the many delays it is now impossible
to do so, and hence l think the boom
ers' ought to know the exact situation
and facts, SO they can make arrange
ments accordingly. They had better
rent lands in Kansas and Oklahoma for
crops this year and as soon as the strip
is opened they can make their selec-
tiOns and then have time to return and
care for their crops, as l now believe
we will scarcely get the bill through
before the last day or days of the ses-
sion. We may be able to get it through
next week, but l have had long talk
with Holman and l was given very lit
tie reason to expect it to pass before
the last days
''There are some annoying things
coming up that forces me to this con-
clusion. Then it will be impossible to
get this bill through. as the agreement
specifies. As result the whole mat
ter will be sent back to the Cherokees
to be approved by them. They will
necessarily be given some time, not less
than thirty days, and possibly sixty,
in which to approve the work of con-
gress Then, assuming that they ap-
prove it, they will not do so until the
very last moment We can safely rely
on that. If they approve it then there
will be interregum of thirty days by
way of notice to accompany the presi-
dents proclamation.
IF it is not approved by the CherO-
KEGS we will aim TO cover that emergen-
cy by making it imperative on the part
of the president to open the lands
within certain time after the expira-
ton of the time given the Cherokees to
approve the changes. We must limit
the time which the Cherokees viii be
given to consider the changes; also limit
the time in which the president is di-
rectcd 20 act. and in this way be sure
Of ending this controversy by opening
the lands.
You will see as will all those inter
ested that it will be impossible, under
the most favorable circumstances, to
get the land open in time for the farm
ers this spring"
Chairman Peel, being accosted or the
question said: Il have just decided to
answer letters sent me from my people
IN Arkansas that it viii be impossible
to get the strip open in time. Those
who contemplate moving on the strip
should know this fact. We will do
them a great injustice to represent any
thing but the facts. / have always
hoped for a better turn, bat see no
way now of getting the land open until
late in May or June, which is very bad
news for the settlers and boomers.''