Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-02-15
Roous oF rnn Usirrp srArRs CouMssior. !
MuaEnann. I. T.. Eah. y. 1904.

I
treaties, and always does so, un-
less changed conditions make it
necessary to ignore them for the
interests of both parties.
When these treaties were made
this territory was far from the hab-
itations Of white men, and it could
scarcely be anticipated that the
tribes would be surrounded by set
Elements as now, and that the time
would come when there would be
in the territory two white men to
one Indian, and that the territory
would become q refuge for orimi-
mails, preying on surrounding COM
munities, and that the Indians
would be so well qualified for citi-
zenship as they are now. The
development of the country, the
progress of the world, and changed
condition of the people often make
it necessary to amend constitutions
and laws, or repeal them and en-
act others better suited to new
conditions and the interests of the
people.
Believe us when we tell you the
present anomalous condition exist
ing in the five tribes cannot last.
The expenses of the judiciary
have become burdensome, and the
United States ought not to be asked
longer to endure them. And yet
crime is too prevalent, and the
large unsettled districts afford a
harbor and refuge for criminals,
making it nearly impossible to ar
rest them. The policy now in ex-
istence of leasing large tracts of
land for grazing purposes and thus
preventing settlement, necessarily
leads to a continuation of these
evils.
Twenty thousand children, both
white and Indian, are growing to
maturity without the opportunities
of obtaining a common school edu-
cation. Where government is the
exponent Of the peoples will, it
cannot be good and wise unless
the people are educated and are
intelligent. Not only are these
children without educational ad-
vantages, but they are without
moral and religious instruction.
This is the road 10 barbarism, and
the United States cannot allow its
people to travel this path without
making all possible efforts to pre-
vent Il. Indeed, it is under the
highest possible obligations to ex-
ert all lis power to prevent it.
The earlier settlers and the more
enterprising and avaricious, under
the laws and usages of tribal gov
ernment, are enjoying monopoly
of nearly all the best lands, and
have fenced tracts of land contain
ing ten times their share, while
the diffident and retiring fullbloOd
Indians have been crowded back
into the stony, wooded hills and
worthless lands, and are compelled
to exc out an existence on a few
acres, and are so widely separated
and so far removed from progress
i've influences as to make schools
impossible, and are making little
or no progress in civilization. This
is neither just nor humane, and is
a matter Of grave concern to every
friend of the Indian, and all who
desire to see him prosperous,
happy and on the way to higher
civilization.
Every day of delay but adds to
the difficulties of division. Nu-
merous towns ranging in popula-
ton from 100 to 5000 have grown
up without being plated, and in
which large and valuable buildings
have been erected, while the title
to the ground on which they stand
belongs to a tribe and is held in
common. To adjust the equities
growing out of this situation is al
ready wellnigh impossible, involv-
ing great labor, and is continually
growing greater.
Coal mines, leased and opened,
on which large sums Of money are
being expended, are continually
adding to the difficulties Of allot-
ment.
Many complaints are made by
members Of the various tribes that
few influential men are obtaining
leases mom the councils for extern
sive tracts of the best land at a
nominal rental, and subletting
these leases to white men for graz
ing purposes for large sums Of
money, those occupying the land
being bought or driven out.
That trials in Indian courts are
farce and justice a by-word.
That the public moneys are alb
sorbed, and when filtered through
their hands, little of il reaches the
poor and powerless, and in many
cases none.
To what extent these complaints
are well founded we have no means
OF knowing, though they are repre-
sented to be true by many mem
bers Of the various tribes, and at
tested by non. citizens OF the highest
character. But we make no
charges.
II Is also claimed by many that
tie common people are terrorized
or misled by those interested in
prolonging the present condition