The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-11
CURTIS INDIAN BILL
Drafted in a Manner to Correct the
Evils Now Existing.

From Our Special Correspondent.
Washington, April 1.-THE report
on the bill for the government of the
Indian territory which was reported
to the house by the Indian committee
was written by Representative Charles
Curtis.
Mr.. Curtis was a member Of the sub
committee which framed the bill. The
measure is substantially the same as
the bill on the same subject introduced
by Mr.. Curtis
The report deals fully with the con-
ditiOns existing in the Indian territory
and explains the new government which
is proposed.
Mr.. Curtis was selected to write the
report on account of his thorough IA
miliarity with the work of this commit
tee to which he has given especial at
tention. He is perhaps the most val
liable and well informed member on
the committee.
In reporting the bill to the house he
says:
knowing the Importance Of the
question involved. your committee de-
voted over three weeks in hearing
the interested parties and officers of the
government: each of the five civilized
tribes-the CherOkees. the Creeks. the
ChOctaWs, the ChfcasaWs and the
SeminOles-are affected by this bill
and each Of said tribes was heard by
Jnelr attorneys and several mem bers
Of the tribes presented their views up-
on the proposed legislation. members
of the Dawes commission. who have
spent Two years III the LGEIlEOTXs eX-
planned the condition of affairs as they
found them there. in short. all inter
ested parties were given full Opportu-
nifty to be heard.
Your committee is fully satisfied
that there must be q change in the
government of the territory. and they
believe the sooner it is made the bet
ter 1T viii be for all concerned.
There are now about 300 600 people
in that country. not more than $4,000
OF whom are indians; about 1000 are
tntruders, and the others are white
people from all parts Of the United
States.
Railroads have penetrated every
part of it, hOurishfng towns have
sprung UP, and the Inhabitants, out
side Of the members of the Indian
tribes, have no schools and no certain
~ as to the length of time they will be
permitted TO remain in the towns
where they have located.
"One of the principal sources of trou-
Die IN this territory is the lack of prop
err criminal Jurisdiction, and your com
mlttee has by the first section of this
bill extended the criminal laws Of the
United states over il. and thus given to
the Uaited States courts power to try
all persons charged with crimes and
mlsdeneanors committed within their
respective Jurisdiction, without regard
10 Lne race or citizenship of the offend
ers. 1t has also extended certain 500
rions of the criminal laws of the stare
of Arkansas over said territory,
summing up the provisions of the bill
Mr. Curtis says.
,.,, "a tlle preparation OF this substitute
III y OuI committee mas made prOvis-
loAL LOT the pH9tecllon of life and pro-
perty in the Indian Territory bv ew-
tSAtl1Ils tle cFlInlnal laws of the
United States and the state of Arl5an-
sas over it, giving Jurisdiction to the
United States courts to try and punish
Violators Of those laws REGARDLESS of
citizenship. to protect property rights
by charging the civil Jurisdiction of
the United States COURTS to settle the