Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-02-16
NOT THIS SPRING.
Impossible For tho Cherokee Strip
to Be Opened For Months
LONG DELAYS nor TO BE- AVOIDED.
Delegate Harvey says IL VIII lie Well For
Intending settlers 10 Govern Them
selves AccordingIy-so
Does Peel

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1a-Delegate Har-
vey, Of Oklahoma, said TO correspond
emit:
by the many letters receive from
those interested In the opening Of the
Cherokee strip think IL would b. well
TO state that IL will be impossible TO get
the land open in time TO plaut crops
this spring.
This is q sad statement and have
hesitated to make II, but as now
clearly see that IL Is true, II is my duty
10 those who are so deeply interested
to make the fact known.
ave 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 II Is now impossible
10 do so, and hence 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 rs soon as the strip
Ia opened they can make their selec-
lions and then have time TO return and
care for their crops, as | now believe
we will scarcely get the bill through
before the last day or days OF the SEES.
sion. We may be able TO get II through
next week, but have had long talk
with Holman and l was given very lit
tie reason TO expect 1t TO pass before
the last days
"There are some annoying things
coming up that forces me TO this con-
clusion. Then IL will be impossible TO
get this bill through, as the agreement
specifies. As q 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 APP
prove 1t, they will not do so until the
very last moment We can safely rely
on that II they approve 1t then there
will be interregum OF thirty days by
way OF notice to accompany the presi-
dents proclamation.
{ "lf 1t is not approved by the Chero-
KEGS we will aim to cover that emergen-
cy by making 1t 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 will be
given to consider the changes; also limit
the time In which the president is d.
rccted to act, and in this way be sure
of ending this controversy by opening
the lands
"You will see as will all those inter
estcd that II 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 on the
question said: II have just decidsd to
answer letters sent me from my people
1, Arkansas that 1t will 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 n better turn, but ! 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"