The Coconino weekly sun., 1893-11-09
OKLAHOMA,
A Definite Step Taken Toward statehood- Comm issioners Appointed to Treat with

A Definite Step Taken Toward Statehood | Commissioners Appointed to Treat witf l Indians.
 | WASHINGTON, Nov. 2.-The great Ok
 lahoma, which shall finally take on
 statehood, was sturdily advanced to ths
 goal of its ambition by the appointment,
 of Henry l.. Dawes, of Massachusetts Mcridith II. Kidd, of Indiana, and | Archibald $. McKennon, of Arkansas, | to be the commission which shall treat | with the five civilized tribes for the ex tinguishment of the Indian title
 Throughout all the controversy which has led up to this happy result, the president has been throughout the friend of those who advocated state hood. Here it is seen that Oklahoma must presently become state, and that the conditions which hitherto have hampered its progress must give way to the force of circumstances.
 Under the law the commissioners are to negotiate with the five civilized tribes for the extinguishment of the Indian title, the intent being, as is de- scribed in the act, to perform all such things as shall be requisite and suit. able to enable the ultimate creation of state or states of the union, which shall embrace the lands within the said Indian territory"
 The commissioners are to be paid, during such time as they may be actually employed, at the rate of s5, ,000 year and all ''reasonab ble and proper expenses" They have power to em- ploy such subordinates as secretary, stenographer, interpreters and others and fix their compensation. Finally, the full extent of their powers is here conveyed in the language of the act under which the commissioners have been appointed.
 Such commissioners shall, under such regula. tions and directions as shall be prescribed by the president through the secretary of the in. terior, enter upon negotiation with the several nations of Indians as aforesaid in the Indian territory, and shall endeavor to procure, first, such allotment of lands in severalty to the In dians belonging to each such nation, tribe or band, respectively. as may be agreed upon as just and proper to provide for each such Indian q sufficient quantity of land for his or her needs in such equal distribution and appor. tionment as may be found just and suited to the circumstances; for which purpose, after the terms of such an agreement shall have been arrived at the said commissioners shall cause the lands of any such nation or tribe or band to be surveyed and the proper allotment 10 be designated
 And secondly 10 procure the cession. for such price and upon such terms as shall be agreed upon, of any lands not founI necessary 10 be so allotted or divided to the United States and to m ike proper agreements for the investment or holding by the United States of such moneys as may be paid or agreed to be paid to such nation or tribes or bands, or to any of the Indians thereof for the extingush. ment Of their claims therein But said com. missoners shall, however have power to nego tatc any and all such agreements as, in view Of all the circumstances affecting the subject, shall be found requisite and suitable to such an agreement of the rights and interests and affairs of such nations, tribes, bands or Indians or any Of them. to enable the ultimate creation of territory Of the United States with view to the admission of the same as a state in the union