The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1895-12-03

Of Affairs I'm this Territory i without
+ foundation. The present conditions
are not treaty conditions There +
not only no treaty obligation on the
part 81 the United States to maintain
or even 10 permit. the present condi-
tiOn of affair in the Indian Territory.
! but un the contrary the whole struct-
ure and tenor Of the treaties fOrlSd IL.
IL our government j. obliged 10 main-
tain the treaties according to their
original intent and purpose. IL j. ohli-
gated TO blot out at once present cou-
dition>. IL has been most clearly
shown that restoration of the trcaty
status j. not only an impOSslbility.
but II possible would h. diSaSteruuS
To this people and againts the wishes
of all. people and governments alike.
The cry, therefore. IL those who have
brought about this condition of affairs
10 h. let alone, not only finds no shell
ter in treaty obligations. but Is plea
for permission tn further violate these
provisions.
The commission j. compelled hy the
evidence forced upon them during
their examination into the admins
tration of the sO-Called governments
la this Territory e. rcpurt that thc>c
governments in all their branches az
wholly corrupt. irresponsible and un-
worthy to h. longer trusted with the
care and control 0f the money and
other property 81 Indian citizens.
much les their lives which they
scarcely pretend 10 protect.
There eau bc no higher obligation
incumbent upon every branch ~ the
general government than 10 exert its
utmost constitutional authority tu -
cure to this people. in common with
, ali Others within our borders. govern
ment ia conformity with constitution
al authorities. The government can
not ahdicate or transfer 10 other
shoulders this duty n to any portion
of territory or people ia the land. II
can not escape responsibility n the
dark record which has uuw been
brought tu light j. permitted to CON
tiuuc. Delay can bring nnfhin. bur
increased diniculty and danger -
pcacc aud gpnd order in The TERRITORY.
The situation calls for prompt action.
These considerations lead 10 hut one
conclusion.
II j.. in the judgement 10 The COM
mission. the imperative duty uf com
grr~> Co assume 40 unce political coli
trul uf the Indian Territory. Thry
have come with great reluctance 90
this conclusion aud have sought by ail
methods thai might reach the cou-
lictiuu~ uf those holding power iu ti.c
Territory 20 induce them hy ncgutia-
tiuu and mutual agreement tu ruu>ciit
. 20 a satisfactory change in their ~
tenn of government aud appropriation
of their tribal property. These efforts
have failed. aud the commission {,
driven tu the alternative 81 rrcui.l-
mendiug abandonment ~ tht>c people
tu the >poilatiun and outrage, pcre-
trated in the name 81 existing gov
crnmrntS or the resumption hy com
grc>> Or the power thus abused.
They therefore recommend immcUi-
ate legislation a. follows:
]. \ Territorial government over
the five civilized tribes. adapted 20
their peculiarly anomalous conditions =
80 framed a. 10 secure all rights of
residents in the same without impa r
ing the vested rights 81 the citizen
Indian or other person not an iH-
trudcr.
= The extension - the juri~tlict i,u
10 the United States courts iu the
| Territory. huth in law aud equity. tu
/ hear and determine an controversies
az suits ut any nature concerning
.uy right in or Use ana occupation uG
I .ic tribal lands IL tine several nations.
I tu which any citizen Indian or person.
I or the tribal government 20 any ua-
I tipn i or may b. made party plain
7 tin or defendant.
The commission i confident that
such q government wisely admiui>tcr-
Z eel will restore the observance ~ laW
and preserve order among the people
residing in these several nations ami
make secure their lives ami all just
property rights. And that the de-
u termination la the United Stat,~
courts uf the most important and com
plicatcd questions in which the ten
are 81 their land j. uufur. Jnateiy iu-
volvcd lifting them Gut uf the ut-
healthy aud unreliable influences
which prevail in the Indian courts.
where now alone they are disposed az.
would 90 far toward a solution % the
difficult problem the present cuuditiua
Of the Territory presents