The Van Buren press., 1896-04-11
New Indian Territorial Government.

hcH ihuiau Acfiftoiiai VofeiHmcuI
Republic Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, April 2.-The sub
committee Of the House Committee On
Indian Affairs, which had for some
days the preparation Of bill for the
reorganization Of affairs in the Indian
Territory, reported its bill this morning
TO the full committee and the bill met
with the committee unanimous
approval. They also instructed Repre-
sentative Curtis, of Kansas, who has
been giving his whole time to the
subject for the last week, to prepare
a report to accompany the bill, and, as
soon as he has finished, to report to the
House. This determination of the
House committee to proceed with proper
Indian legislation in spite of the oppo-
sition Of the Senate will probably be
universally commended.
If such a bill as the one devised
passes the House at this session. it will
neeessitate a wide discussion of the
appalling condition of affairs in the
Indian Territory and can but add
strength TO the chances of the passage
Of some such Legislation at the next
session. The bill will meet with much
opposition in the House, however, in
its very first section, which extends the
criminal laws of the United States over
Indian Territory and gives TO the United
States courts now there complete
jurisdiction over all prosecutions for
crimes and misdemeanors, without
regard to race or citizenship Of the
person violating the laws.
The bill gives the courts jurisdiction
over the appeals from any judgment or
determination of any Indian court in
the Territory. The third section further
gives TO these Federal courts in the
Indian Territory jurisdiction to try all
intruder cases and to determine the
rights Of citizenship of those charged
with being intruders.
A great deal Of attention is given to
the intruder question, as to how the
summons shall be served on the intruder
how much time shall be given in which
the intruder may prepare his case, and
how much time he shall have after the
case is decided against him. 1t gives
the right to any alleged intruder to him
self apply for the adjudication of his
rights Of citizenship
The Dawes Commission is also made
a court to pass upon citizenship and
further directed after the expiration of
nine months to cause complete roll Of
the citizens Of the Indian Nation TO be
made up. They are given full court
authority to carry on the work of com
pelling witnesses TO testify, taking
affidavits, etc. When this is done the
commission is directed to allot for
individual use all of the lands in such
nation susceptible to allotment among
its citizens, giving to each so far as
possible his fair share.
Coal and mineral deposits and town
sites are to be reserved to the tribes and
set apart as incapable of division. The
Secretary of the Interior is directed to
dispose of all lands remaining after the
allotment is made, in the best manner,
for the benefit Of the respective tribes.
The Secretary is also empowered 10
lease coal, mineral and timber lands.
Full preparation is made for the vest
ing OF the title of land in Indians to
whom it has been allotted and also for
the rights of heredity resulting there
from.
The commissioners are authorized to
cause TO be surveyed and laid out town
sites in such places as they may be
deemed expedient, both at the present
sites and such other places as may be
necessary, laying out such streets as
they deem sufficient and conforming
towns already built as far AZ possible 10
existing conditions.
The commission is authorized to lease
any lots in such towns at an annual
rental to be fixed by the Secretary Of
the Interior for terms of one year. This
rental shall be paid into the Treasury OF
he United States for the benefit Of the
nation. In making such leases prefer
ence shall be given the Owners Of the
improvements on such lois. The
inhabitants Of any town of the Territory
having 600 or more residents may
become incorporated under the laws of
Arkansas by petition ~ the VI ted