Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-08-06
INDIAN REFORMS.
Favorable Prospects for a Division of
Their Lands in Severalty.
THE PROHIBITION PARTY.
The Nominees for President and Vice Press
ldent File Their Letters OF Acceptance
"A Synopsis of the Contents
of the Documents.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.-.The Dawes
Indian commission is steadily at work
in the Indian territory and is expected
TO complete its labors by December.
The Indians are still fling applications
for membership in the tribes, and have
until September 10 to do this. Frank C.
Armstrong, eX-assistant commissioner
of Indian affairs and member of
the commission, who is in Washington
for few days, says that the prospects
Tor an early and satisfactory conclu-
sion of the negotiations with the In
dams for a reorganization of their gov
eminent, through division of their
lands in severalty and other measures,
was never more favorable than now.
The Indians, he says, are beginning to
understand to some extent that it is to
their interest to allow the reformatory
measures to be carried out, and many
of those who will not concede this re.
alize that congress intends to take
prompt action if the commission shall
not be successful in closing the lonG.
pending matter The Indians believe
they will fare better at the hands of
the commission than by acts of congress.
With this growing sentiment, Mr.. Arm.
strong expresses the belief that at the
coming session of the tribal councils
some definite step will be taken.
Other Indian officials, however. re-
regard this view too sanguine. They
say that the Indians cannot he con-
WINGED that change will better their
condition and while hoping in the rel
mems interest for an agreement, they
regard it as likely that nothing win be
done until congress shall act. Mean
while the commission is wedding
out from the mass of APP
plicants for a share of tribal rights
those who are not entitled to them.
The courts, however, have superior juris-
diction and in many cases appeals villa
proba bly, be taken to them from adj
verse rulings of the commission All
of these cases doubtless can he passed
on within couple of months and the
report of the commission, if unsuccess-
full in its chief aim, making strong
recommendation for immediate action
by congress, will be ready to be sub
mitted at the opening session of that
body.
The Prohibition Nominees Accept.
ALLIANCE, o., Aug. 5.-Charles E.
Bentley, of Lincoln, Neb., and James
II. Southgate, of Durham, H. C.. have
filed their letters of accep6s'lce of the
national prohibition parFy's nomina-
tions for president and vice president,
respectively, Mr.. Bentley strongly
urges the cause of prohibition
and holds that suffrage with
out distinction of sex, is
a cardinal principle of the party. lie
then declares the party's policy is OPP
posed to tho national banking system
and favors government ownership of
natural monopolies, the public school
system, the just and moro equitable,
distribution of wealth, He denounces
the Wilson and Mckinley tariffs as
shields of the trusts and makes q de-
mand for general reform of tho gov
eminent. Mr., Southgate's letter i$not so
long as that of Mr.. Bentley's and does
not go into an analysis of the situation.
He highly commends the national
party's principles aud calls attention.
to its broad platform and the reforms.
suggested therein.