Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-08-18

tllC htltCt COtlUlitttt Ou tnC EANO
Civilized Tribes, with the Senator
from South Carolina [ Mr.. Butler1
as chairman, was directed to make
this inquiry, but the Senator
from South Carolina informs me
that it was impossible for him to
get committee or subcommittee
to do the work and after consul
tation with him | prepared this
resolution. The subcommittee Of
the Committee on Indian Affairs,
which will visit the Indian Terri-
tory, has been directed to make an
inquiry concerning matters that
will more than consume its time.
The agreement to ratify the pur-
chase of the Outlet, which has beeu
agreed upon by the Cherokee In
dians, imposes expressly upon the
Government of the United States
the duty Of removing the intruders.
The intruders say that they have
made improvements and secured
rights there by permission of indi-
vidual members of that nation, and
they have offered evidence tend
ing to show that their inn
provements are worth from $780,
COO to $500, 900. Yet the Cherokees
say they will not consent to the
opening of the Outlet unless the
intruders are removed IRON their
home reservation. Hence the in-
vestigation proposed becomes a
matter of importance to the coun-
try, as well as to the Senate, that
they may consider intelligently
the pending legislation.
hope there will be no objec-
tion to the resolution. l live near
there, and there will be no consid-
eraole expense attending it so far
as | am concerned. The Senator
from South Carolina Mr.. Butler1,
who l hope will be a member OF
the committee il the resolution
passes, said to me that he could
not get his committee to do this
service in the last Congress, as 1
have stated.
Mr.. Henderson. When this
resolution was reached in due or
der of morning business the other
day | objected to consider
alton that an opportuni-
/ ty might be given to Senators
to look into it and see ITS scope
and purpose. l was under the i'm
preston that under the general
resolution requiring certain duty
to be performed by the Committee
on Indian Affairs this matter of in.
vestigation of the rights of the so.
called intruders upon the Chero-
kee land was to be looked into by
that committee. While perhaps
under the general resolution il
might be inferred that such duty
would devolve upon the committee,
| realize that curing the short va
cation which is to come it will
be impossible for the Committee
on Indian Affairs (and l say this in
the absence OF the chairman OF
that committee, knowing his views
upon the subject) to perform this
duty with the other duties that are
thrown upon it IL different parts OF
the country.
| understood from the chairman
of the Committee on the Five Civ.
ilized Tribes that this investiga.
ton, which it was proposed to be
made by his committee, was not
made because it seemed impossi-
bic to get members of his commit.
tee to take upon themselves the
burden of the investigation. II is
an investigation which should be
made, and it ought to be made be.
fore the next session of Congress.
There are over seven thousand
people located upon the lands OF
the Cherokees, the Cherokees say
without a shadow of right, not on
| ly by reason of invitation but by
reason of acquiring some sort oI
title to the lands.
There is no bill before either
House of Congress that does not
propose to eject by force of arms,
by the full power of the Govern,
ment, these people from the lands
OF the Cherokees and it certainly
is very important before we at
tempt to legislate upon ,hese con
flicting rights that some commit
tee, be it great or small, shall
thoroughly investigate the matter
and make report. | know OF M
matter that is before the Commit
tee on Indian Affairs about which
there is so much conflict, not only
conflict Of opinion but differ
ence as TO claimed rights anC
claimed facts.
Thinking this matter over, | real
ize that 1t is quite likely this small
committee of three will cause n,
more expenditure, and perhaps I
much less expenditure of publ,
money in making this exploration
than ifit is done by a regular com
mittee Of the body, and, therefore
withdraw any objection that
urged the other day to the consid
Grafton of the resolution, and hope
that it may be adopted.
Mr.. Jones of Arkansas. Mr.
President, the statement made &
moment ago by the Senator from
Kansas Mr.. Perkins, attracted
my attention. had not heard the
reading of the resolution do not
know what is in it but the Sena.