The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-12-22
TROUBLE IN THE
INDIAN TERRITORY
Tribal Courts to Be Abolished by Act
Of Congress.
LOCAL OFFICERS WILL RESIST
L S. Harshals Give Notice They Will Garry
Ont the Law-Conspiraey 70 Burn
L. 5. Court House.

Chicago, Dec.1.-A special to the Times
Herald from Washington says
Trouble in the Indian Territory Is ex-
petced BY the commissioner Of Indian al
fairs. and by others who are familiar
with the condition Of affairs there. on
January the tribal courts wiz be aboi-
ished by an act passed at the ,ast session
OF congress and the United States courts
given full Jurisdiction over the territory.
In many quarters the officers OF the In
dian courts have declared that they win
forcibIy resist all efforts TO prevent them
doing business. The United States mar
shalS have given notice that any tribal
courts to sit up1n and those assuming to
conduct them will be arrested A dele
CATION Of eight Cherokees. seven OF them
fuIl-bloods. rs now in the city. A few
days ago they presented a memorial to
congress asking that the law be reseinded
but congress has now adjourned wtthom
action. and when it again convenes the
Indian courts win be out OF existence
Meanwhile the subcommittee Of the sen
ate committee on Indian affairs appointed
to consider the problem presented IN the
territory. prastfcIly decided to recon-
mend an amsadment to the law applying
10 the apportionment to all lands held by
the FIVE civilized tribes among the mem
bers of these tribes. and also an amend
msnt providing tha. all valid leases shall
be Recognized by the government Of rne
United States and the money paid on
account Of thnu covered into the treasury
Of the United States for the benefit Of
the various tribes.
The Dawes committee has reported It's
failure TO come to any conclusion with the
Indians. Such agreements IS have been
concluded vary so in their provisions that
in view OF the fact that eventually a unf-
form system Of government must be pro
videi for the Indian territory, it Is Ques-
tionable whether any Of the agreements
should be definitely ratified by congress
until the desired and necessary uniform
i.y can be reached.
Secretary Bliss things no government
will he satisfactory until congress shalI
provide for a single uniform system for
the Indian territory. and shall place all
i.s inhabitants in possession of the rigirte
OF American citizenship.
; Chicago, Dec-2l.--A special 20 the Times
Herald from Wichita, Kan. says:
Information has been received at the
office OF the United States marshal at
South MoAlester, l. T.. to the effect thai
the lawless sentiment among the Indians
has formed a conspiracy to burn the
United States courthouse there. and all
dian territory. The burning of the United
States court house at Ardmore the other
day with all its records is believed to be
the first attempt to carry out the plot. This
Indians are said TO be growing more rest
i've as the first of January approaches,
as upon that day all OF their tribal courts
( are abolished. and the federal courts have
full Jurisdiction in litigation affecting the
Indians. and an Indian cannot sue an
other for a debt Of any nature. There r
vast number Of notes held by Indians
against their less provident brethren now
oollectible. which cannot be sued on and
collected as soon as the Indians come IN
der the federal law. Ii will ruin many
Indians who have been considered wealthy
and Il is the discomfort OF the debtor
c;ase that is thought 10 be responsible
for the plot to burn thu court records and
impede as far as possible the administra-
ton Of justice in The United States courts.
Detectives are watching the movements
Of suspected indians