Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-12-16
THE INDIANS.
Needs of White Residents in the Ter
ritory Must BE Considered.

For a number of years past il has been
apparent that the conditions under which
the tive civilized tribes were established
in the Indian territory under treaty pro-
visions with the United States, with the
right or T-goyernment and the eX-
their borders, have undergone SO complete
a change as to render the continuance of
impossible. The total number OF the i've
civilized tribes. as shown by the last census,
is 1894. and this number has not material
ly Increased, while the white population is
estimated at from 100000 to 100000, which,
by permission of the Indian government
has settled in the territory. The present
area of the Indian territory contains U.s.
6yi,564 acres much Of whleh Is very ter
siding in the territory, most q whom have
gone there by invitation or with the con-
permanent homes for themselves. Numer-
Gus towns have been built in which from
800 to 5000 white people now reside Nalu-
able residences and business houses have
been erected in many of them Large bust
ness enterprises are. carried on in
ployed. and yet these people, who
have investe ed their capital In the develop
ment of the productive resources OF the
country, are without title 10 the land they
occupy and have no voice whatever In the
government either OF the nations or tribes
in the territory are Of school age. but the
doors of the schools of the ma tons are shut
against them and WHAT educaslon they gel
for the protection OF the life or property
of these white citizens Is made by the
tribal governments and courts.
An Indian Aristocracy.
The secretary of the interior reports that
leading Indians have absorbed great tracts
of land TO the exclusion of the common p-o-
pie and government by an Indian aristoc-
racy has been practically established. to
the detriment OF the people. 1t has been
found impossible for the United States to
keep its citizens out of the territory and
the eS@cutory conditions contained In
treaties with these nations have for the
ri bGpnmp esfi Of
Nor has II been possible fot the tribal gov
ernments 70 secure 10 each individual
the nations FrienN OF the indians nave
Indians of the five civilized tribes would
be found in American citizenship, with all
the rights and privileges which belong TO
The Dawes Commission.
BY section 1t OF the act OF March 3. 1923.
the president was authorized 10 appoint
lions with the Cherokee, Choctaw. Chicka-
saw, Muskogee tor Creek and Seminole ma
tons, commonly known as the Five CIV
illzed Tribes in the Indian territory. Brief
ly, the purposes OF the negotiations were
TO be: The extinRuishment OF tribal titles
to any lands within that territory now
tribes. either by cession of the same or
some part thereof to the United States or
severalty among the Indians OF such ma
tons or tribes respectively as may be en-
tltleu 10 the same or Dy Sucn Otnef metnOO
may be agreed upon between the sew.
eral nations and tribes aforesaid, or each
OF them with the United States, with Il
view TO such In adjustment upon the basis
OF justice and equity as may, with the con-
sent Of the said nations OF Indians. so far
g may be necessary. be requisite and suit
able TO enable the ultimate creation OF
a state or states OF the union, which shall
embrace the lands within said Indian ter
ritory
The commission met much opposition
from the beginning. The Indians were
very slow 10 act, and those In control mani
Tested a decided dissemination to meet
With favor the propositions submitted TO
them. A little more than three years after
this organiza tion the commission effected
an agreement with the Choctaw nation
alone. The Chickasaws, however, refused
to agree to Its terms, and as they have
common Interest with the Choctaws in
the lands Of said nations. the agreement
with the latter nation could have no ef-
feet without the consent Of the former
On April 49, 1897 the commission effected
an agreement with both tribes-the Chloe
taws and Chickasaws. This agreement
II IS understood, has been ratified by the
constituted authorities Of the respective
tribes or nations parties thereto. and only
REQUIRES ratification by congress TO make
an agreement was effected with the Creek
nation. but II IS understood that the ma
tioual council Of said nation has refused
70 ratify the same. Negotiations are yet
70 be had with the Cher0kees, the most
pOpulous IF the rye Civilized tribes and
with the Seminal. g. the smallest In point
or numbers and territory