New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-31
A PROTEST FROM INDIANS.
NOT READY TO OPEN INDIAN TERRITORY.
WHY THE CERTAIN BILLS GIVING THE RIGHT OF
WAY TO RAILROADS ARE oBJEcTroNABLE-AN
APPEAL TO CONGRESS.

WAY TO RAILROADS ARE OBJECTtONABLE-AN
APPEAL TO CONGRESS-
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, May 30-The chiefs OF In
dian Territory fear that the House Committee on In
dian Affairs may report favoraby, Saturday, the two
bills pending before IT, giving rignt ofway through
their Territory the Kansas Fort Scott and Gu and TO
the Southern Kansas Railway Companies. These DIS
they claim nothing less than to open indian
Territory to settlements and vicious In character
as the bill reported by Mr.. Vest in the Senate the
other day, which THE TRIBUNE criticised in sewers
manner editoriay Thursday In letter addressed to
their attorney the chiefs say other things;
These only proceed TO take our property
without In any consulting u.s. but are full OF new
dangerous and injurious propositions never before heard
OF any railroad charter in any state or Territory and
which would not be tolerated there. These bills may
indeed be called bills to open the Indian
Territory to settlement Section OF both bills opens to
settlement all along the line the lands granted by it in the
second section Besides tho right OF way stations may be
created In the discretion OF the company where an add
tona grant OF 400 feet wide and 800 feet long given
them They also take additional amounts for cuts and
fills and all of these settlements may be made These
bills provide for struggling towns and settlements
all along the lines. Permits not 10 be required OF
such settlers Any one can be introduced by the COM
pany the plea that they employees and obtain
vested rights in improvements thereon from which t
would be difficult impossible to remove dispOssess
them. What railroad company In the United states
IA permitted to allow its laborers or employees 20
settle on and build houses and make gardens,
and acquire individual rights on the right OF wayi
In the Indian Territory would be open door to create
drinking saloons and trading establishments all along the
line
ISADEoUATE COMPENSATION FOR VALUABLE RIGHTS
ave would further call attention TO the totally In
adequate compensation for the valuable franchise wcn
nterfcre with the cultivation and successful grazing and
= ot,rpo In
YOU to us that legislature and courts
should have exclusive jurisdiction OF all questions touch
ing the persons or property or our own
peOpla In bills you propose TO violate our treaties
and insert provision for compensation that altogether
unfair unjust and mockery The provisions OF these
bills for paying damages TO individuals through whose
farms and houses may altogether unjust and
ipadequate Instead Of allowing the Individual affected
to select one appraiser and the company another and
they II necessary TO select third the commission thus
created is packed to begin with by allowing the third
man to be selected by the Indian Bureau. We know by
experience what that amounts to.
"The hill further provides for an appeal to courts
which have By their organization civil Jurisdiction in
country aud if they had the machinery IS far
expensive and cum6ous, and the distance 10 ne ray
eed too great to be OF any avail In every ease tne
expenses OF the claimant would be more than ne could
& now vested In our courts These have their regular
sessions We say that their proceedings are as
honorable and fair those OF any state or Territory
agreed refer every case involving civil jurisdiction 70
these local courts. his done two years ago. and
thew have never desired change It. Why seek now to
violate treaties and overthrow the jurisdiction oI our
courts
no NEED FOR SIX NEW ROADS.
sone haldozen companies now clamorng for right
way through country more roads tan are al present
needed They wish TO get valuable franchises from our
propertv TO sell. They will tie maps FOR roads and
branches ali over our country and forbid people from
using all these portions Of property on tae pain OF
confscatiOn. Ii any further roads are needed We
would suggest that authority be given 10 the secretary
OF the Interior enter into negotiations FOR ch rght or
way and necessary privileges with tue authorities or me
nation to whom the property belongs. In this way all
roads really need he built can ne constructed on
terms air and honorable 20 all parties. Upu tlis mas
been tried We respectfully protest against these danger
Gus Innovations and Wholesale cOu5catlOns OF our rights
and appeal 10 the American Congress not thus UNJUST
Iy TO violate its treaties with us"