The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-05
GUILELESS RED MEM
Uncle Sans Indians Cling to
Their Old Ways.
White Man Continues to Cheat
Them on All Occasions.
MARRIAGE RELATIONS
Indian Can't See Why He
Shouldn't Have Two Wives

WAsHINGToS. Dec. 5.-The condi-
ton of the Indians IN Oklahoma terri
tory which was formerly a part of
Indian territory together with their
advancement or deteriOrat ton since
the free admission Of white men
among them and the organization of
the territory under government con
troll, will probably have considerable
to do with the admission Of India n
territory as a state or the organiza-
ton Of the territory directly under
government control The state Of
affairs makes the recent reports from
Indian agents in Oklahoma of more
than ordinary interest
Captain A. Z. WoOdsOn, Fifth cav
airy, acting agent at the Cheyenne
and Ara pahOe agency. says the pro-
gress of those tribes toward civiliza-
ton has been slow. Though de-
clared TO be citizens he said. they
are so only in name; they were not at
the time nor have they become 50
since allOtments were taken 1t IS
questionable policy whether anOt-
ments should have been given TO or
the right of citizenship should be con-
ferred on the Indian tribes that are
not prepared for the metamorphosis
in their condition that must ensue
before they become prepared to
exercise the same They are not
ready to cope with their more
astute white neigh bOrs and are of
cessity greatly dependent on their
agen Is for advice and prOtec tiOn- To
him they bring all their grievances
Their almost daily tales Of the white
mans imposition and injustice keep
him busy in his forts to adjust such
matters satisfactory to all concerned.
The daily conflict of the white man S
laws with the Indian habits and Gus
toms is pulling 70 them in the e x
treme- They cannot understand why
they may not have two wives. or why
they may not take the property of a
relative and use it if they 50 desire,
whether the owner consents or not "
He also states that the Indians have
taken no interest in politics nor cared
to exercise the right Of franchise
Although allotments are taken. Fri b.
al relate are still maintained, even
though the lands have been allotted to
them in severalty- The same old
customs vail. the same old super
stitiOns and the belief in the efficacy
of medicine men. the same marital re-
lations with plurality of wives and
the same inclination to idle ness, with
lack Of thrift and industry. How
ever they are agreed on one point
Captain Woodson says: 1.-The free
dom from crimes Of these Indians is
renarka BILE. Although entirely sur
rounded and neermingled with
whites. instances are rare wherein
they have been guilty Of criminal
violation of existing statutes"
At the Usage agency. where there
are 1, 500 Osages and 2IS Kaws, Major
II. b Freeman, sixteenth infantry,
does not think there is much progress,
although the Osares regard them
selves great nation
j. p. Wool sey. IN charge of POnca.
PaWnee. Otoe and Oklahoma agency,
has a divided report, the different
tribes varying. The POncas are max
ing rapid progress, being good work
ers and in "a fair way 10 become good
citizens The Pawnees do not do so
well. The whites are thick Don't
them and whisky Is sold to them
The Otoes are a little better. though
very stu bborn, and given to '-gh ost
dancing" However, the agent has
prevailed upon them to do considera-
BILE work They are opposed to tax
ing auOtments He reports very lit
he SAYS, that some Of the more civil
lied and educated Indians respect the
holy ties but a majority Of them
think no more of changing wives than
they do of swapping ponies, some of
them living with two or three differ
emit ones in one year"
Mr. WOolsey- reports a better state
of things at the Oakland sub-agency
occupied by Tonkaway Indians.
Edward T. Thomas. agent Of the
Sac and Fox akencv. makes a favor
able report Of the Indians under his
care He sums them up in the fol-
lowing. There has been a slow,
but very marked change for the
better among all the Indians Of this
agency"