Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-12-30
THE FIVE TRIBES
IN CONGRESS.
Gonvripht 1871
RESUME OF THE WEEKS DEvEL
0PMENTS BY OUR SPECIAL
CORRESPONDENT.
Recess During the Christmas Holidays
Shall the Land, or Only the Occu-
pancy be Allotted is the Question
Many Interesting Items.
Washington. DC. Dec. 25. 1871

ual change in the situation this
week, for the reason that congress
stands adjourned for the Christ
mas holidays, with each day it
becomes intensified. All seem to
be awaiting impatiently, the re-
assembling of congress. The COM
mittees have thoroughly organ
lied the various sub b-committees.
| The subcommittee are holding
weekly informal meetings for pur-
poses of general discussion. The
Indian Territory delegation are
here in considerable numbers with
others arriving almost every day.
These delegations are here in the
interest of both Indian and white,
and working both for allotment
and townsite legislation, and the
Indian delegations of course, for
no legislation at all. The Dawes
commission is here, the last men,
Der having arrived, and are ready
to go before the committees, when
called.
The general opinion is that
something will be done; that
prompt, decisive and vigorous
legislation will be enacted, and
that without unnecessary delay
Just what that will be will be de-
termined by the committees now
getting ready fpr work. There is
much discussion as to the ways
and means OF it all, so great and
complicated are the interests to be
dealt with, and so diverve are the
views entertained by those having
1t in charge, but it seems to be
generally conceded that there will
be allotment and townsite legisla-
ton.
The Curtis bill is now in the
hands of the joint subcommittee.
While it is not certain that the
committee bill will be based upon
the Curtis bill, they are giving it
thorough consideration, in the
hope of locating common ground
upon watch ell the members of
the committees can stand on the
question of the extent to which the
United States can 60 in extinguish-
ing or modifying the Indian title.
Two questions of title now claim
the attention of the committee:
First, in the allotment of the land |
to the Indians, as to whether they |
will allot the mere occupancy now,
and trust to the Indians to clamor
for the whole title, when they see
that the allotment of the occu-
pancy is inevitable, or whether
they will set apart the share of
each Indian and secure to him the
fee at once.
The question Of townsites is
complicated one. The question
before the committee is: Has
congress the right to set apart the
iownsites, sell the lots, giving
preference of purchase to present
occupant, or shall they be leased
for a uniform ground rental?
As indicated above, these are
the questions that are being dis
cussed by all those who are inter-
ested in this legislation, and ar
gued pro and con by the various
delegations from the territory.
The committee seeks a solution
OF them by which it can act fairly
and equitably toward all, and not
overstep the constitutional powers
of congress. That it will act to
this extent seems certain; as to
just how it will be done is the
problem for which they now seek
a solution.
The joint sub committee COM
posed of members of the house
and senate Indian affairs commit
tees will meet again next Monday.
AT its last meeting nothing was
done further than a general dis
cussion of the ways and means of
legislation, the general features of
which seem agreed upon.
The Curtis bill is before them
and was considered. The recon-
mendations of the Dawes commits
sion were submitted informally.
At the suggestion of the committee
Major McKennon of the Dawes {
was wired for, SO that
tie full commission might be with
the committee at its next meeting.
Major McKennon arrived in Wash |
ington this morning, and will re-
main here, at the pleasure of the
committee and the secretary of the
interior.
While the agreements made {
with the Indians by the Dawes
commission have all been rejected,
with the exception OF the treaty
with the Seminoles, and the Choc-
taw part of the Choctaw- Chickasaw
treaty, the commission is known g
10 have knowledge of details not I
possessed by any member of the s
and their recommend l
atoms will have much weight with {
the committee in whatever legis- c
alton they decide to propose. The t
5eminoles and Choctaws having c
shown a disposition to treat. it is I
understood that, to the extent of
he committees power to do so. t
hey will be given the benefit of the a
lmicable spirit thus manifested. I
| called on the Cherokee delega- t
ion at their quarters at the Ma G
.ional, and had quite an interest 8
ng interview with Mr.. Duncan.
He is a pleasant, polished gentle
nan, and talked freely about the I
present status of Indian matters, i
md what the delegation hoped to
accomplish while here. a
In the course of the converse I
ion Mr.. Duncan said: q
"We will be here for the session !
)r at least as long as we feel that Q
We will be able to accomplish any,
hing for our people. We of course b
oppose any course upon the part :
,f congress, proposing to modify O