New-York tribune., 1893-12-02
OPENING OF THE cmfRoKEE STRIP.


The report gives the history Of the opening OF
the Cherokee Outlet and describes the booth sys-
tenn adopfed at the opening. II explains mat the
act of Congress rcquircd the lands 10 be- dlsposei
OF under the Homestead ana Town site laws ohy'
and although many methods OF procedure were
suggested as desirable in order 70 prevent trouble
no method could be- adopted which would infringe
upon the Homestead and Town site Laws ana thht
the method adopted appeared To DE- the only pfacu
vision Of these laws 1t states that the rush q
applicants for certificates was unprecel'hteu; ana
greatly in excess ~ the hunlner .Np'.t'", Npi -,
soon as it was found that the force az Work conid
not supply al the appc%mys WAN and All t6st offSred
obtained certificates bcior" thc hour OF Yp'liiE
cants the report states that these were unavoidable
on account Of III" fact tnat me cr3wd was -, 20
care OF the Department could have i'saeneh the m
tense heat or prevented the sitting dust ,,h ihe
which had dried up the usual wat'r supply. anu IL
suitabie for entry ana to nnd sufficient water at
points where crowds gathered to the number oi
% 900. 1t immense, uncontroilable crowd
and it was Impossible for the Department 20 pro-
vide at every place for the wants OF such thr2ns
they saw ht The plan adopted was carried TO
suecossihi ~ concIuson u Of land pv p"ope
who not entitled TO settlr thereon c-.
The report calls attention TO the TACT mat CON
penscs OF opening the STRIP. ana the limited amount
prevented expenditures beyond those which seemed
valuable Of land will h" ready for settlement
within tho next two years and that It il impossl-
bic Tor the Department to prevent trouble without
additional LEGISLATION. II recommends the adoption
Of plan which by auction or otherwise may deter
mine in advance the ownership of each particular
section Substitute for the present syatcm. II
suggests certain restrictions as TO those 10 whom
the privilege of bidding shouid be "Ttcndel II ne
fac, that N" railroads in oklahoma have discrimI,
mated in favor Of the Indian allotment towns and
against the Government towns. the report urges the
passage Of a bill which has already been introduced
in congr ,ss ih purpose Of which Is to compel rail-
upon their line aud 10 prevent the possibility OF
discrimination favorable to speculative interests.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The report states that fair examination OF the
work Of the Indian Bureau furnishes proof in
support OF the wisdom Of the policy which controls
the examination Of Indian affairs Slowly but
steadily the wards of the Nation are being advanced
to a condition suited for citizenship. 1t Is a mis-
take 10 suppose that the Indians are decreasing
In number Tribal and wars with the whites
having ceased. they increasing rather than
decreasing The allotment Of lands and the school,
house are having a marked effect upon this race.
During the last fiscal year q 900 children have
been carefully trained in the habits ard customs
Of civilized life. as well as instructed IN the
to be expected ihai all these Indian children will
retain when returning To their savage parents.
required 10 adopt when attending school. but the
education and the Influence which they carry to
tber homes are having a gradual effect which viii
be- Certain in i,s result it state hat Civi Scrvic@
examinations do not furnish protrr informaicn
for the selection Of local superintendent OF Indian
schools Executive ability and other qualities are
infinitely more important than mere technical
knowledge. The report further urges that these
officers should be selected without regard to poll
ties. They should b. chosen by the general super
lntendent not necessarily from applicants, but
after careful inquiry among fchoolmcn 10 find
those best suited for the work. The evil results
of obtaining superntend through Civll Service
examination have not so far affected the schools.
because as IL determined 10 bring
these places within the classified service all the
vacancies were hastily filled to avoid the necessity
OF obtaining superlntendcnts In that way. 1t Is
suggested that the teachers In the Indian schools.
should be selected in "A different manner. The
Civu Service Commi sion and the general super
ntenden, OF the schools should join in perfectng
a plan for the conduct OF these examinations by
The local superintendents and by others engaged
In school work. and experience as well as mere
technical knowledge should be considered In deter
mining proper selection
In connection with the recent Choctaw trouble.
the report urges the passage of the bill now pend
ing before Congress. extending the Jurisdiction OF
The United states Court in the Indian Territory
40 as 10 include the right of removal Of all cases
where local prejudice w shown without regard TO
the citizenship OF the persons.
The report takes up the present condition or legs-
Iation applicable TO Indian depreciation claims ii
shows that unless the law is changed the Treas
ury is liable 10 be called upon for many millions
OF dollars pay these claims OF doubtful propriety