Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-16
A OR A 7 G A M E
An Attempt to Force the Sale of the
Indian Territory.
EXAGGERATED LAWLESSNESS
Effort to Have the Government
Take Military Control.
A CONGRESSMAN'S VIEWS

- ~ ~ ~ ~ IL M "a N = Il h w -
The opinion is gaining ground in certain
circles OF the administration at Washing
ton that a renewed and formidable attempt
Is to be made in the near future, in fact,
from this time on, to induce Congress to
destroy the autonomy of the Indian terri
tory. to the end that the country may be
purchased and settled by the white peo-
pie. Those interested in the subject know
that a movement to this end has been
growing for some time, and government
officials aware CT the position of the
United States toward the rightful owners
and present occupants OF the Indian terri
tory have had to interpose more than
once between the people who would ac-
eomplish the destruction of the autonomy
Oh the territory and their Intended victims.
Effort for Military Control.
One alleged recent feature of this novo-
ment, which, 1t is said, has been recog-
nized both by the Department of Justice
and the Interior Department, is the effort
TO Induce the government to take military
control OF the territory, on the ground Of
existing lawlessness in the territory The
Department or Justice has been over
Whelmed with demands of this kind. but
UP 10 this time has steadily ignored them
IL Is beileVed by some government officials
that there is an element in the southwest
which would be glad to have the opportun-
lty to claim that 1t Is impracticable to
govern the Indian territory under exist
ing conditions, and that 1T is necessary, in
the interests of civilization, to cause the
territory to be settled by white people,
That plea. IL is said, would be used In con-
nection with the efforts to be put forth be-
fore Congress to achieve the plan for the
disruption of the territory.
Singularly enough, in this connection.
comes the statement today of a man who
is well posted on the situation in the south
west.
Congressman Bailey of Texas arrived in
the city last night, and is registered at the
Riggs. Mr.. Bailey represents district
which borders upon the Indian territory,
only the muddy waters of the Red river
Ee paratipg mis- constituents from a portion
of the five civilized tribes. 1t Is in that
portion OF the Indian territory lying north
of Mr.. Bailey's district where exists the
alleged reign of terror on account of the
depredations of outlaws, who are said to be
overrunning the country and setting at de-
fiance the laws of the United States and Of
the loc al government.
What Representative Bailey Says.
Since his arrival in Washington Mr. Bal
ley mas been interested In the telegraphic
reports of the alleged deplorable situation
In the territory as depicted in the press re-
ports, and in the dispatches of the United
States Indian agent at Muscogee. who ap-
pears to be in a state of panic about the
outlaws.
Il saw the United States marshal for the
eastern district of Texas at Paris last sun
day." said Mr.. Bailey to Star reporter
today. He has jurisdiction over a certain
Glass of cases in the territory and is ac-
quainted with the conditions existing there.
He is "A of easily StamDeGeu
and L attach much credepce to his judg-
uent. He said he thought there was some
oXaggeration of the condition of affairs,
and that while 1t is true that there is out
lawry in the territory it does not exist to
the extent which would prevent its suppress
sion by the ordinary means of the employ
Dent OF deputy marshals in Suffic lent force.
The proposition to send United States
troops there to put down handful Of rob-
ters is absurd.
THE fact of the matter is" continued
Mr. Bailey, there Is a suspicion in the
minds of a great many people that the ex-
aggeration of the lawless and ungoverned
condition of that territory is made for a
purpose. Some people in Texas think that
the representation of the fearful state OF
things said to be existing there is for the
purpose of preparing the public mind, and
especially the mind of Congress. for a
proposition to throw open the lands of the
Indians to purchase and settlement Those
people who entertain that view explain
that, of course it would be a strong argu-
ment in favor of throwing the territory
open for settlement IL the public can be
brought to believe that it would be the
cnly method for governing the country and
protecting life and property.
Sentiment I'm Favor of Purchase.
Every one who is acquainted with Texas
soon becomes aware of the sentiment
which exists in that state in favor of the
purchase and settlement Of the territory
by white people. 1t is particularly strong
in my district, owing to the close business
relations We have with the inhabitants of
the Indian country If Congress would re-
auire the Indians to sell their lands the
country would soon settle up, of course.
For my part, l have always insisted
that Congress would have no more right
to require the Indian tribes to sell their
surplus lands than it would to require
man who owned a two-acre lawn in the
middle of a city to subdivide 1t and sell it
to persons who wanted building lots in
that partic ular section. Yet the people
who hold to this opinion are met with the
cry from a certain class that they are
standing in the way of progress and CIV
ilization. This, too, in spite of the fact
that those tribes hold their lands by virtue
of deed from the President of the United
States-he was a democratic President too
not a mere treaty, but an outright deed"
In departmental circles IL is considered
strange that no word should be received
from the judge of the United States court
or the United States marshal, IL the courts
are powerless to protect life and property,
as the dispatches represent.
No Troops VIII Be Furnished.
The Irsiian Office Is doing nothing in the
matter S the kilograms received from
the Indian agent at MuScoges. 1. T.. re-
garding the Cook gang of desperadoes He
has been informed that the troops he Is so
loudly demanding cannot, under the law,
be sent into Indian territory. 1t is stated
az the Indian office that the whole affair
Is one with which the agent need not con-
Germ himself, as il is under the jurisdic-
ticn of the courts. The Indian office has
given him permission to use the Indian
police in cooperation with the United
States marshals. hut further than this he
has no Jurisdiction.