Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-03-20
THE OKLAHOMA BILL.


THE OKLAHOMA BILL.
Last week the house of repre-
c sentatives passed the Oklahoma
bill which differed in many res
, poets from that of the senate. Tn,
senate in its debates and votes
showed chat it regarded the It'll,
Of the Cherokees as fee simple
} and that il was impossible to leg
} islate it away from them withou
} their consent. When the lower
house had the question before
them, it was proposed that moth
ing in the bill should interfere
with the Cherokee title. This
was over whelmingly voted down,
leaving the government free to as
sert any real or pretended claim OF
full or incomplete sale made by
former Cherokee delegations and
administrations, leaving, neverthe.
less, the equities to be settled
hereafter.
1t extended the jurisdiction of
the courts over the Cherokee strip
1t also placed all matters Of dis
pute between Indian citizens and
whites in the jurisdiction Of courts
in that territory. 1t established a
court at Vinita, Ardmore, Atoka
and Muskogee, thus giving each OF
the four civilized tribes court
(the Seminoles were incorporated
with the Creek at home.
1t provides for a eommingled
United States commissioner and
justice of the peace to try minor
cases, and bind over in criminal
matters. 1t placed the new terri
tory under the laws of Nebraska.
An attempt was made by Kansas
and eastern men TO saddle prohi-
bition on Oklahoma, but Arkan-
sss and Texas opposed it.
The matter was lodged by en-
forcing the federal law against
bringing liquor into the country
until the first legislature met and
settled that question for them
selves,
Thus our outlet is placed in jur-
isdiction of courts, and matters
about settlement left to be acted on
later. The bill goes to a confer
ence committee where each side
will have to concede something.
Now is the time for the Cherokee
delegation to do their best to keep
the senate from conceding too
much to the house and leaving but
little to negotiate about when the
next commission comes 10 treat
for the strip.
Unfortunately the house said
the public land was thrown open
to settlement, meaning "No Man :
Land" but boomers have long
considered the strip as public
land, so they swarmed over by
thousands. President Harrison
has warned them to leave, and the
troops are marching down to en-
force the order, but tho boomers
have fred the grass, doing grea
deal of damage to the S00,-
600 head of cattle there, out
side of the Indian rights violated
by their invasion. But these peo-
pie must go; the government will
permit no "sooners" to remain.
The bill provides for the usual ter
ritorial organizations, and estab-
fishes counties. However it leaves
one county TO be made by the
first territorial legislature, clearly
intending the strip to be that coun-
ty. The senate intended to have
another commission come out to
see if negotiations could be made,
but whether it will let the house
circumscribe those negotiations,
remains to be seen.
What will finally be done with
the strip no man can tell at pres
ent. If left to the senate, the
Cherokees could at least hope TO
receive a fair remuneration; while
if the lower house carries the day. !
the Indians may expect to get
what they can for their western
possessions. So far Vinita and !
other towns gain a court of some
what limited jurisdiction in the |
shuttle, while il places the most
valuable property ofthe Cherokees
in jeopardy.
Well, matters look little tough, |
but more honorable to be robbed |
by stronger power than be ridic-
cheated; so if the govern |
ment does not offer something |
like a fair bargain, the people had
better refuse and abide by the re-
suit.
OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON I
CORRESPONDENCE.
WAsHIseroS. d. C.. Msreh rs, 1870.
EDITOR CHIEFTAIN:- Many of
your readers will have heard. be- 4