Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-01-26
INDIAN LANDS.

Chairman Peel Somewhat Worried Over
the Prospect OF Getting Treaties For the
Opening of Lands Fsatified-rhe Chero-
kee Strip-Infiueuce of the Lobby
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.-Chairman Peel
is somewhat gloomy over the prospect
of getting any of the treaties ratified
for the opening of the lands in the In
dian territories, excepting that of the
Cherokee strip. The committee is be
ing urged very strongly to Immediately
take up the other bills which concern
1000, 600 acres of land south of the orig
ina1 Oklahoma
Concerning the matter Mr.. Peel said
to a correspondent: my opinion is we
will not succeed in opening any land
outside the strip That involves two
thirds of the land now covered by
treaties made by the Cherokee commits,
SION We are being pressed and urged
to look after these other treaties and OF
course will aim to get the bills through
congress
t'1'he situation is just this We will
scarcely be able to get another day set
apart by the committee on rules for the
business of the committee. The pres
sure for time on the speaker is very
great, and nearly all the committees
are insisting upon time, and, as is
usually the case at this time in the
last session of congress, there is more
business than time in which to dispose
of 1t If we should fail to get another
day, we will certainly not be able to
get any more lands open Understand,
however, that we will go before the
committee on rules very soon and de-
mand an6ther day. As yet we are not
rod To S7,o 41aa
compittee for time, because we, as
committee, have not fully decided upon
the best plan 20 pursue in the other
matters we have under consideration.
''Most of the business before the COM
mittee can be disposed of without Sc
curing extra time from the speaker. 1t
will be necessary. however, to secure
whole day If we hope to get any more
of the treaties ratified.
''As yet the business of the committee,
as it relates to the treaties under consid-
Grafton. is in somewhat of a chaotic
state. To present each bill in the house
separately, as estimated, would require
two or three days. In order to dispose
of the treaties in a single day, should
this time be granted by the speaker, it
would be necessary to form an omnibus
bill, which has been under considera-
ton but as yet has not been fully con-
Guided The bill will be framed and
sassed upon by the committee and
made ready to bring before the house.
provided the committee is given time"
The real trouble in the matter, as 1t
stands now, and which causes Chair
man Peel to indicate uncertainty as to
the result, is found in the threatening
attitude of the lobby that represents
the Chiclzasaw and Choctaw claims.
The treaties, as formed, do not expire
at given time by limitation, and this
affords congress and the committee a
chance to see the best opportunity in
which to dispose of this lobby.
Chairman Peel is informed that if he
attempts to get the remaining treaties
ratified at this session this lobby will
bend its energies to defeat him. and in
fact they threaten to give him trouble
with the Cherokee strip bill. provided
he insists upon ratifying the remaining
treaties. This is the ease in a nutshell.
Delegate Harvey is somewhat dis
turbed over the situation and insists
that some way shall be devised to get
all the treaties ratified this session. He
is aware of the lobby feature and
knows something of its strength.
but believes that the committee will be
able to overcome all opposition. He
says it will be regarded by the
people of Oklahoma as in measure I'M
fair to open SO much land north and
none south. People there desire to
have all the treaties ratified, so that
the original Oklahoma would practical
ly be the center of the lands thrown
open by this session of congress