Congressman B. W. Perkins and His Petition

[W. Gray]

The following petition was placed in the Congressional Record on January 20, 1885, by Congressman B. W. Perkins, after a citizens' meeting in the second floor courtroom of the Wabash Street Elk County courthouse. The gist of the petition is do not put any more wild Indians to the south of us so that we can settle the area.

PETITION FROM HOWARD, KANSAS

At a meeting of the citizens of Howard and vicinity, held at the courthouse, the following proceedings were had and the following resolutions were adopted:

The meeting was called to order by L. Scott, and on his motion B. L. Brush was elected chairman. John W. Marshall was elected secretary. Some very able speeches were delivered by L. L. Brush, L. Scott, J. F. Lewis, W. D. Parker, H. S. Douthitt, J. M. White, D. W. Dunnett, S. B. Oberlender, and others on the question of opening Oklahoma and the rights of the people to settle therein.

The following resolutions were adopted as an expression of the sense and desire of the meeting:
Whereas, The armed forces of the United States have been directed against peaceable citizens that have entered on public land in the Indian Territory, known as Oklahoma: Therefore,

Be it resolved, That we denounce as an outrage the treatment of loyal American citizens, who are striving to make homes for themselves and their families on lands belonging to the people of the United States; and we further denounce it as the grossest injustice to the people of those states that border on the Indian Territory.

Resolved, That we are opposed to the policy of the Government in using the army to drive out or interfere with actual settlers upon any of the public domain, as being foreign to the genius of our institutions.

Resolved, That we demand that the armed force of the United States be immediately withdrawn from Oklahoma, and that all American citizens, that so desire, be allowed peaceably to enter these lands, under no restrictions whatever, other than those that would be found in any other part of the public domain.

Resolved, As this selfsame, bold spirit, that is now advancing to the front, has ever existed since the Pilgrim Fathers set their feet on Plymouth Rock, and will ever exist so long as we remain citizens of the grand Republic, that we, the citizens of Howard and vicinity, pledge ourselves to firmly support this grand element—the vanguard of civilization.

Resolved, That the leasing of any public lands to cattlemen is in direct violation of the laws of the United States and right of the people, and we demand that all such leases be immediately cancelled.

Resolved, That we denounce the inaction of our Representatives and Senators concerning said lands, and that we demand of them to use all means in their power to secure the proper recognition of the rights of the people in this matter from the Government of the United States, and for the faithful performance of this duty we hold them responsible at the ballot-box.

Resolved, That we are opposed to the settlement of any more bands of wild Indians in the Indian Territory.

Resolved, That our Representative, B. W. Perkins, be requested to present to Congress the sentiments of our people upon this question, and to use all honorable means in his power to secure the necessary legislation at this session of Congress.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to each of our Representatives in Congress, to the head of the Department of the Interior, to the chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and the President of the United States.

It is the sense of this meeting that the (Howard) Democrat and (Howard) Courant publish these resolutions, and that the remaining (Elk) county papers copy the same.

Much enthusiasm existed during the adoption of the above resolutions.

On motion of W. D. Parker to appoint a committee on organization W. D. Parker, Robert Shelby, S. B. Oberlender, Thomas Greenwood, and B. L. brush were appointed as such committee, to report at the next meeting of the people.

Adjourned to meet at the court-house on Saturday, January 17, at 7 o'clock P.M.

B. L. Brush, Chairman
John W. Marshall, Secretary