Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-04-17
THE DAWES COMMISSION.
THE PROPOSED TREATY WITH THE
INDIANS.


Special Correspondence.
South MoAlester 1. T.. April 14.--As
your readers are already aware, the
Dawes commission has been In the ter
ritory several months on a mission.
imposed on, them by congress- to treat
with the nvA civilized tribes as to the
opening Of Z elr lands to settlement.
The commissSp. consisting OF ex-sena-
tor Dawes, Mai Kidd and Capt Nc
Kinnon, have been working hard and
assiduously at this perplexed and most
complicated question. which they en-
deavor 10 solve satisfactory to all par
ties concerned, Hearing the various
difficulties and serious obstacles In the
way, the senate sent three members of
that body. consisting OF Senators Tel
Ter, Plat and Roach. TO the scene OF
action last week. and these gentlemen
have been and are now engaged In
looking over the ground and investigat-
Ing the status OF affairs in order to
make a report TO congress. which * to
aid the Dawes commission in the more
speedy accomplishment OF their work.
They intend TO visit the various princl-
pal chiefs Of the respective nations and
at present they are at Tahlequah con-
ferrlng with Chief Harris Towards
the ouG OF next week the senate COM
mlttee win return to Washington and
report their experience These gentle
men are courteously received every
where by Indians and whites, confer
with and gain information from both;
visit the Indian as wen as the United
states courts and consult the judges
and attorneys and leave nothing UNI
done IN order to gain the sentiments
Of the people Of this territory.
The gentlemen composing the Dawes
commission have made very favorable
propositions to the various Indian ma
lions, and some OF them have inconsid-
oratcly rejected them. That the senate
committee have fully approved OF the
offers and proposals made by the
Dawes commission Is an admitted fact,
nud that the Indians refusing said Of
fcrs made serious mistake is just as
true. However, these refusals and
troubles I'm the way come from the
leaders, but not from the majority Of
the Indian citizens OF these respective
nations. These leaders, which are
mostly squaw men, have accumulated
SO much property and are financially so
much superior to the average Indian
that they exercise an immense influ-
ence and power among their crushed
and repressed Indian brethren, which,
Il
nuced when the Indians at large find
their liberty at stake and the Russian
yoke too heavy; then the Indians rise
In arms and the oppressive (squaw
man, leader seeks his safety outside Of
the Indian Territory.
Therefore. there can be no doubt
that when once the Indians shall become
convinced of the fair and honest pro-
posals OF the Dawes commission and
after they have ooolly and quietly con-
sldered these proposals among them
selves. they will accept them unani-
mously and cheerfully, as only in this
way they Will find relief and protection
ON the part OF the United States from
the unbeatable yoke and tyranny OF
their oppressive and spoil-seclSing
bosses. This question, therefore, that
congress has TO solve, is a most serious
and complicated one, that stands with
out precedent In history
The Dawes commission, however, are
able. Just aud far-seeing men and it is
proahle that their Judgment will pre-
vail and their counsel be needed by the
people and their leaders as the best
results for all can only he derived by
this proper course OF treating. IT, on
the other hand, the propositions of the
Dawes commission. favorable and
| equitable as they are, should not be
accepted by the Ave civilized tribes,
then congress would have to adopt
measures and plans for the final So
| luton Of the Indian middleton cv-
cryone In the Indian Territory must
admit that It ought to be and win be
solved some day--aud It is very prob
able that the terms thus made by con-
gress and under such circumstances.
would never be as favorable and ac-
oeptable as now offered By the Dawes
commission nis refused thus far by
the political leaders and their lucre-
| hunting confederates.
The question naturally arises, what
will be the consequence should he civ
ilIzed tribes continue in the refusal of
the terms offered by the Dawes COM
missiong Upon this query Senator
Plat OF Connecticut intimated
that he foresaw difficulty. that could
only end In the abrUgatlng OF the treat
les made with said IEdian nations, be-
eeuno they had violated the treaties
made between them and The United
States This goes to show that the
United States government means bust
ness. which can also clearly be gath
cred from the pointed words OF Mai,
NJ II, Kidd. uttered in the court house
at South McAlester. l. T., on the 18th
inst; Il cannot tell You just where 1t
allotment and opening up will come.
out you can lay the fiattcring uneticn
to your souls that q will come. and
that In the near future.
Now one word about the tolerated
element" the 100000 American citi-
zens in the Indian Territory. when