Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-04-24
OKLAHOMA.
Provisions OF the Territorial Bill as Finally
Agreed Upon In Conference.

NohBrtnn bO auJuhl lnt uAHtTthpob W.
tween the Senate and House on their
respective bills providing for a tenn
porary government for the Territory OF
Oklahoma have finally reached a
full agreement The new Territory
OF Oklahoma is somewhat smaller than
the Territory originally contemplated
by the House and larger than the Sem
ate intended it should be. II includes
practically all OF the lands west OF the
Five Nations except that portion Of the
Cherokee Strip lying west Of the Arkan-
sas river and Greer County is also
omitted The Cherokee Strip however,
III included for judicial purposes. twill
not be added TO Oklahoma until after 1t
is purchased from the Cheroxees
The first section OF the bill defines the Ter
ritory Included In the following langnage;
All that portion OF the United states now
known as the Indian Territory, except 50
much OF the same as is actually occupied by
the fye civilized tribes and the Indian
tribes within the Quapaw Indian agency,
and except the unoccupied part OF the Chero'
kee Outlet, together with that portion Of the
United States known as the Public Land
strip is hereby erected into temporary
Government by the name OF the Territory OF
Oklahoma
TVS section OF the hill also provides that
nothing In the act shall be construed TO Inn
pair any right now pertaining 10 any Indians
or any indian tribe OF the Indian Territory
under the laws, agreements or treaties OF the
United states or to impair the rights OF per
son or property pertaining to the Indians or
20 affect the authority Of the Government to
make any regulations or laws respecting
Indians, their lands. property or other rights
which il would have been competent 70
make or enact II the Territorial act had not
been passed II Il provided however, that
the Cherokee outlet and other lands now
owned or occupied by Indians within the
prescribed territory may be added 10 okla
homa without further legislation.
II Il also stipulated that Congress may at
any time hereafter change the boundary OF
the Territory or attach any portion Of II TO
any other state or Territory without the
consent OF the inhabitants OF Oklahoma.
The second section OF the bill describes the
duties and powers OF the Governor. He shall
hold office for four years.
The third section relates to the Secretary
Of the Territory. His term IS also four years.
! he fou th section relates to the Legisla-
turc OF the Territory. Provision is made for
a Council and House of Representatives.
Tho Councilis to consist of thirteen mem
bers and the term OF service Is two years.
The House Is to consist OF twenty six mem
bers and the term OF service Is also two
years. The Legislature is TO meet bicnnially
aud the session is limited to sixty days.
Provision H. made for six counties in the
organization OF temporary government
until after the first election in the Territory.
he Governor Is 20 fix their boundaries, but
the county seats are located as follows: First
county, Guthrie; second county, oklahoma
City third comfy. Norman, fourth county,
u. haV Tho
sixth county which embraces the Public
Land strip, will have It's county scat at
Beaver.
lhe nfth section Of the bin proscribes the
qualifications for suffrage. II reads: Sec
tion THAT an male citizens Of the United
states above the age OF twenty one years
and aii male persons of foreign birth over
said age who shah have twelve months prior
thereto declared their intention TO become
citizens Of the United states as now required
by law, who are actual residents nt the time
Of the passage OF THIS act OF that por
tion Of said Territory which was declared
by the proclamation OF tho President
10 be open for settlement on April p, IS 9, Of
that portion OF said Territory heretofore
known as the Public Land strip, shall be en-
titled 70 vote AZ the first election In the Ter
rtory.
The sixth section OF the BIN de cribcs the
power of the Legislature, being similar In
this respect to the enactment IN relation TO
otoer Territories OF the United states.
The seventh section relate sto townsh p,
district and county officers and provides that
such a. are necessary shall be appointed by
the Governor untn laws relating to them are
passed by the Legislature.
The eighth section provides that no mem
Der of the Legislature shall hold any other
Office during his term and for one year after
its exp lration, This restriction, however Is
not 20 be applicable to members Of the nrst
Legislature United states pOstmastcrs,
however, are eligible
The court features OF the bill begin with
section . and occupy most OF the remaining
sections OF the bill-si in al The judicial
power of the Territory OF Oklahoma viii be
ve.ted IN the supreme Court. district courts,
prob &C. court and Justices Of the peace.
The Jurisdiction ofthc United states courts,
which has heretofore extended from outside
OF the Territory, is Withdrawn, but eases now
pending or actions commenced prior 70 the
passage of this act, are to be proceedd with
until nnal y disposed OF by these outside
courts.
Provision is made fer county courts and
their Jurisdiction is describ az length.
The Governor is authorized 90 divide each
G. runty into precincts and ether political
subdivisions, other than school districts,
that may be required 10y the laws of Ne
braska and be is snitho zeG 20 appoint tenn
porary officers
Section y Of the bill ronfcrs jurisdiction
upon the district courts # oklahoma over
arising between Indians
within the Territory and amy Indian com
mi ting a crime again-t another indian or "a
citizen of the Tcrriiory. tie snme as he
were citizen of the Unftsd states This
however, is not Go De Go trucd as giving
TO the courts iu coutr, vcfsi-s
arising between Indians of the same tribe
while sustaining their trih.l relations.
The fifteenth section OF the bin provides
hat the first session Of the Legislature shlll
be held at Guthrie at such time as the GOV
arnor may direct and at the hrst se sion. or
ls soon thereafter "A the Governor and Leg
stature shall deem eApcdieut, they are TO |
ocatc the capital
Provis is made 10 scctl 10 Is for "a Dele |
gate TO the House Of Reprcs natives of the |
1nitcd states. lie shall DE elected by the |
people. the same as a member of Congress, /
he nrst election to DE held by direction Of /
he Governor m er sixty days notice by |
PROCLAMATION.
An amendment 10 the Town lite a is pro-
rided by which homesteader may change Il
lis entry TO town site by applying 10 the /
Of the Interior 10 purchase the
and He shall flc with the application the /
llat of the proposed town site and II IL Is
approved patent shall issue to the home
teadcr upon ne payment of 81 per acre.
= sesslss; is a,itis,i prohibiting lotteries Of
my kind In the Indian Territory and an
ithcr important provision is that which cm-
bowers clerks and deputies OF the United /
tatcs Courts to issue maria ge certificates
md TO solemn lie marriages In their dlyls-
ons.
The Mississippi Flood.
NATcHrz. Miss. April %. The levees