Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1884-06-19


i Inc begging, plea0ing and mlSrep-
resentaton resOrted 10 BY the ad-
vOcates, show cOnclUsivelv that
the ends would justify almost any
means TO obtain them. Ii the Sem
ate should concur IN the passage of
these bills, we shall regard as de-
I spised and broken down the last
barrier that protects the tribes of
this Territory from the destruction
of their political rights. the spoli-
alton OF their property, and the ap-
preparation OF their lends. under
pretences less excusable and less
honorable than would be an open
and manly seizure of al their pos
sessions. That we do no injustice
in characterizing these measures as
we DO viii be apparent from the
protest Of the delegation IN Wash
ingt0n against them. The few
amendments made in the House to
the bills passed, do not affect ma
terIally the salient points Of the
/ protest:
These measures not only pro-
ceed to take our property withou.
in any manner consulting rs. but
are full of new, dangerous and in
furious propositions never before
heard OF IN any railroad charter In
any State or Territory, and which
would not be tolerated there. These
bills NAV. indeed, be called bills
to Opsn the Indian Territory to set
tlement. Section = Of both bills
opens to settlement all along the
line the lands granted by It in the
second section Besides the right
Of way, stations may be created in
the discretion of the company,
where an additional grant OF 800
feet wide and 5000 feet long is
given them. They can also take
additional amounts for cuts and
fills. and on al of these settlements
may be made. These bills. indeed.
provide for struggling towns and
settlements all along the lines.
Permits are not to be required Of
such settlers. ANY one can be in
trodueed by the company under the
plea that thev are employees. and OBJ
tain vested rights IN improvements
thereon. from which II would be DIFF
ficult or impossible to remove or
disp0ssess them. What railroad
company IN the United States Is
permitted 10 allow It's laborers or
employees TO settle on and build
houses, and make gardens, ard ac-
quire individual rights on the right
of way2 IN the indian Territory
II would be az open door 20 create
drinking saloons and trading estab-
hshments all along the line.
I've would further cali attention
to the totally Inadequate eompen-
saiion for the valuable franchise.
which inteferes with the cultivation
and successful grazing and other
interests Of our people. 3 In
your treaties you guaranteed to Us
that our legislature and courts
should have exclusive jurisdiction
of all questions touching the per
sons OF property of our own peO-
pie. II these bills you propose 70
violate our treaties and insert
provision for compensation that i
altogether unfair, unjust and
4Ockery. The provisions OF these
bills for paying damages TO Indi-
viduals through whose farms and
houses il may run are altogether
unjust and Inadequate. Instead
of allowing the individual affected
10 select one appraiser and the COM
pany another, and they, if neccs-
sary, to select a third, the commits |
sion thus created Is packed to begin
with by allowing the third man 70
be selected By the Indian Bureau.
We know by experience what that
amounts -.
The bin further provides for IN
appel TO courts which have BIZ
their Jrganizati0n no civil jurisdsc-
ton in our country. and even if
they had the machinery Is far too
expensive and eumbrOus, and the l
distance 10 be travelled too great 10 /
be Of any avail. In every case the /
expenses Of the claimant would be
more than he could possibly recov-
er. As II Is, the civil jurisdiction 1
Is now vested in our courts. These /
have their regular sessions. Wei
venture 10 say that their proceed d
ings are as honorable and fair as
those Of any State or Territory. |
The Atlantic and Pacific Pathway 4
by voluntary agreement agreed 10 /
refer every case involving civil iur-
isdiction 10 these local courts. This
was done two years ago, and they /
have never desired 10 change i.
Why seek now to violate our treat
les and overthrow the jurisdiction
Of our courts2
Some half-dozcn companies are
now clamorsng for night &c way
through our country, more roads
than are n present needed. Thcs
wish to get valuable franchises }
from cur property 10 sell. They
Will file mans for roads and branch
rs all owe. cur country, and forbid
our people from using all these
portions Of our property on the
pain of confiscation- II any fur
ihcr roads are needed we would
suggest that authority be given 10
The Secretary of the Interior 10 en-
Ter into negotiations for such right
Of way and necessary privileges !
with the aathoriiics Of the nation
io whom the property belongs In .
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