The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1896-03-18
THE DAWES BILL.
StronR Resolutions Adopted at Aatlrrs
In the choetau Nation. Asking For
the PASSAGE OF That Measure.

ANAlsfhHt l. L. marcn ll.-At
mass meeting Of the citizens OF the
towns of Antlers, Goodland, Rodney
and Kosoma, Choctaw Nation, /. T.,
held at Antlers the following resolu-
tions were adopted and forwarded to
Washington, addressed TO the presi-
dent and congress OF the United
States:
Whereas, the present judicial sys-
tenn to which the people Of this ter
ritory are amenable is one which, by
giving the United States courts al
Paris and Fort Smith jurisdiction Of
one class of criminal ofIenses, the
United States courts Of the territory
jurisdiction Of another class, and
the courts OF the Indians OF still an
other, is totally unnecessary, entails
great hardships upon our people and
more especially upon those who are
compelled to 20 great distances
from their homes TO attend said
courts at Fort Smith and Paris, when,
IL & sufficient law were passed JUS
tice could be obtained at their own
doors; and also entails an enormous
expense upon the federal govern
ment in maintaining two sets Of
courts; and
whereas, the United States Judge
at Fort Smith has OF late occupied
the time of the United States supreme
court in reversing cases taken to IL
! by appeal from his court and has re-
sorted to the newspapers for the pur-
Z pose Of indulging in acrimonious at
;acks upon the supreme court and
/ the legal advisers of the government
7 thereby lowering in the eyes OF the
people the dignity of the bench, and
has publicly, in his open court, and
through the newspapers, assailed
the character Of the federal judicia-
~ in this territory and Of the peo-
I pie thereof, declaring that it is ar
impossiblility to bring a criminal "a
/ justice in the territorial courts, when
in truth and in fact the punishment
OF crime in our courts here Is sure
and swift, as is shown by the records
Z OF our courts; and
/ Whereas, il is a fact well known
To all OF the citizens Of our country
that the present opposition to tine
jurisdiction of our territorial federal
court proceeds almost wholly from,
and is instigated by officials Of the
said courts Of Paris and Fort Smith
against one Of which officials grave
charges for extortion and miscon-
duct in Office in matters relating to
cases arising in the territory have
been preferred and are now being
investigated from the attorney oil
those courts and n host of saloon
keepers and gamblers in those cit.
les; and
Whereas, under the laws, as they
now exist, an enormous population
citizens of the United States, and
who are here by invitation OF the In.
dian governments, are entirely de
prived Of the right to acquire land,
even sufficient TO build a house upon
are debarred from school privilege.
for their children ard have no voice
in the conduct OF the affairs Of tbs
community, such n condition being
wholly at variance with the spirit o.
the constitution; and
Whereas, insecurity of life snC
property is constantly on the increas,
and will be until the federal govern
ment extends its authority fully
over US; and
Whereas, a bill known as the
Dawes bill, is now pending befor,
congress which provides for change.
in the state Of affairs in this terrific
~, which will greatly ameliorate oul
condition here, and which bill meet.
with our hearty and earnest approx
NJ; therefore, be il
Resolved. l. That we urge con
gress to speedily enact said bill.
>. That copies hereof be sent e
the president, the president OF the
senate, the speaker of the house o.
representatives, the chairman Of the
committees on Indian affairs % th'
senate and house OF Representatives
and TO the chairman of the Dawes
commission.
+. 3. BEER, Chairman.
j. ". SCHESCK, Secretary
FOR SALE-Two desirable residence
Hssaa ffsNa arAa a a.