The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-14
A WIDE READING.
The Oklahoma Bill Said to Really Open the
Territory

CLAREMORE, l. T., May 13-The oftener
the Oklahoma territorial bill is read the
more perpleXing it seems to the five so
called civilized tribes. Many leading men
go so far as TO say that the Oklahoma bill
viii have the same effect toward opening
up the territory for settlement as any
other law that could have been enacted
having the same object in view. The non
progressive are greatly dissatisfied, while
the rejoicing among the progressive ele-
ment Is enthusiastic
A leading Cherokee said today: "The
result of this thing in my opinion will be
the disruption of our present form of gov
ernment, followed by the inauguration of
state laws and resulting finally in placing
our people upon still higher plane of civ
iliZation."
Another leading citizen said: "Some
time ago | signed a petition praying for
the passage of a bill that would give any
citizen of the five tribes the right To be
come a citizen of the United States, and
call for his interest in the lands and
money. It seems now that from the con
Struction placed upon the Oklahoma bill
by the best legal talent in the country that
the request has been granted. am salts
fed that section forty-three of the Okla
hOma bill vests any citizen of this country
with the power 10 declare himself citizen
of the United States and call for his share
of lands and money belonging to the tribe
Of which ne IS a member. The workings
Of the Oklahoma bill will in one year
change this country in a way that you viii
be unable to comprehend -
Section +3 Of the Oklahoma bill reads as
follows: That any member OF any Indian
tribe or nation residing in the Indian ter
rItOry may apply TO the United States
court, therein 10 become a citizen of the
United States and such court shall have
jurisdiction thereof and shall hear and de
r7rh
statutes Of the United States, and the con-
federated Peoria Indians residing in the
Quapaw Indian agency. who have hitherto
or may hereafter accept heir land in sever
atty under any Of the allotment laws OF the
United States shall be deemed 70 be and
are hereby declared 10 be citizens Of the
l nlted states from and after be selection
of their ailotments, and entitled TO all the
rights, privileges and benefits OF such, and
parents ara hereby declared from that time
70 have been and 10 be the legal guardians
Of their minor children without process
Of court. provided that the Indians who
become citizens Of the United States under
the provisions Of this act do not forfeit or
lose any rights or privileges they enjoy or
are entitled 10 as members Of the tribe or
nation u which they belong"
According to the provisions Of this sec
tlcn and language OF another section limit
ing each person share Of lands to 100
acres, it is claimed that by complying with
section . any citizen OF the Cherokee ma
rlon. whether adopted or native can apply
Jo he court for IuiUed States citizenship
and an equal share OF lands. providing the
amount asked for does not exceed l60
acres II the newly established court
places this consrT TyGctIon upon the new law
Il ls safe 10 say nat az least rh-es-fourths
~ the citizens of the i've civilized tribes
VIII AT once apply for citizenship and di-
vision OF lands