The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-11-10
OKLAHOMA.
A Definite Step Taken Toward Statehood
Commissioners Appointed to Treat with


A Definite Step Taken Toward Statehood
Commissioners Appointed to Treat with
Indians.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2.-The great Ok
lahoma, which shall finally take on
statehood, was sturdily advanced to the
goal of its ambition by the appointment
of Henry L. Dawes of Massachusetts,;
Meredith II. Kidd, of Indiana, and
Archibald S. 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 $4,000
a year and all reasonable and proper
expenses" They have power to en-
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-
| lions and directions shall be prescribed by
| the president through the secretary OF the IN
| terror, 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
| dams belonging to each such nation, tribe or
band, respectively, as NAV be agreed upon as
Just and proper TO provide for each such Indian
| sufficient quantity of land for his or her
needs in such equal distribution ana 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
| he surveyed and The proper allotment 10 be
| designated.
And. secondly. TO procure the cession. for
such price and upon such terms as shall be
agreed upon, of any lands not found necessary
| to be so allotted or divided to the United
| States, and to mike proper agreements Tor 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 10
anv of the Indians thereof, for the extinguish-
| ment of their claims therein But said com
missioners shall, however have power to nego
| tiate any and all such agree meuts as, in view
| OF all the circums stances affecting the subject.
shall he 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 a territory of the United States with view
| 10 the admission of the same as state in the
| union.