Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-02-20

OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON
CORRESPONDENTS.


EDITOR CHIEFTAIK 1T may be
interesting to your readers to learn
what the times and indications
portend here, so | will give you a
short chapter on probabilities as
they relate to the Indian Terrific
ry and to Indian matters.
There is nothing just now more
ominious than the establishment
of the numerous courts in the ter
ritory, as provided in the Springer
bill. The ugly appearances are in
the esvasive jurisd;c+~on of the.
courts and the enforcement of laws
Of which the natives of the country
are wholly ignorant. What the
bill proposes in the establishment
of the courts, no far-seeing man
will fail to discover to be aggres-
sive and progressive in their tend
ences, and that in them gradual in
vasion Of the old order of things
and usurpation of native authority
are not only possible but probable,
to say the least. Comparatively
it is a conquest of country and
subjugation of a people by hos
tile invasion by foreign laws
which in their execution are to be
applied according to the definition
the general of the invading forces
may be pleased TO put upon them.
The jurisdiction Of these courts
will certainly never grow less, nor
remain fixed as to limits. The |
wedge is partly in and is being
driven home. The es-
tablishment of the court at Musko-
gee by an act of last congress, and
those that are to be, with increased |
jurisdiction, is undeniable proof of
this. A surer way and one more
ultimate in its efforts could not be
better devised, under any plea sf
right or privilege.
1t is like kicking against pricks
10 remonstrate against such meas
lres, when you are confronted by
he assertion that it is no usurpa-
iCn of privilege, but treaty right.
Jurisdiction may be so defined
hat the Indian governments may
exercise control OF all specifically
heirs, yet constructions in the nice
determinations between the rights
# the nations and the rights of the
United States will always be in ia
-or of the latter. Conflict and un-
accommodating conditions, and
he i'll temper of harrassing rela-
ions will certainly have their ten.
Iencies.
These reflections are occasioned
y looking over Mr.. Springer's
Ill to organize the territory of Ok
ahoma and to establish courts in
he Indian Territory, which has
cen amended and printed several
mes. have just been to the
ommittee room of the house COM
littee on territories where l was
resented with a copy by Mr..
pringer himself. This bill closes
lrther consideration Of the sub
'cts that are proposed to be
II divides the Indian territory
ITO three judicial districts. The S
rst consists Of the Indian tribes c
the Quawpaw agency, the s
nerokee country east of the 96th b
eridlan and the Creek nation, Y
ith district courts at Vinita and v
Iuskogee. VI
The second, Of the Choctaw coun- e.
Y, with a court at Atoka. a
The third, Of the Chickasaw and h
nations, with courts at a
rdmOre and Purcell. These
'urts have exclusive original ju- if
sdiction within their respective al
stricts. In addition 10 these 81
ere is to be one supreme court to b,
hich appeals may be made, and Il
the matter in controversy is Of c
Ich a nature, from it to the su- b