The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-12-10


education they get II by private contrlbu-
ton. No provision for the protection OF
the life or property OF these white cili-
zcus IN made by the tribal governments
ana courts. Tho secretary Of the Interior
reports that leading Indians have alb
sorbcd great tracts OF land to the cxclu-
sion Of the common people. and govern
ment by an Indian arislocracy has been
practically established, to the dctrlment
OF the people. IL has been found impos-
sihie for the United States 10 keep its
citizens Oui OF the territory. and the con-
ditlons contained In the treaties with the
nations have for the most part become
impossible OF execution. Friends Of the
Indians have long believed that the best
Interests Of the Indians OF the five civil
lied tribes would be found Ia American
citizenship with all the rights and priyl-
leses which belong TO that condition.
The Dawes Commission.
BY section 16 OF the act OF March g.
1893. the president was Authorized TO APP
point three commissioners to enter into
negotiations with the Cherokee Choctaw,
ChickaseW Muekogee or Gre i) and SEMI
mole nations. commonly known az the live
civilized tribes IN the Indian territory.
Brlciy, the purpose Of the negotiations
was the extlnsulshment OF the tribal title
to any land within that territory. now
either by cesaion OF the same or some
part thereof to the United States. or by
allotment or by division OF the same In
scvernlty among the Indians OF such ma
lions or tribes respectively as may be en-
titled 10 the same. or by such other
method as may be agreed upon between
the several nations and tribes aforesaid or
each OF them with the United States. with
View to such an adjustment upon the
basis OF justice and equity as may. with
the consent Of the said nations OF Indians
40 far as may be necessary, requisite and
suitable, enable the ultimate creation OF a
state or states OF the Union which shall
embrace the lands within said indian ter
fiiofy. The commission met much OppO-
sition from the beginning. The Indians
were very slow to act and those In con-
troll manifested "a decided dissemination
10 meet with favor the propositions sub
mitted to them. More than three years
ago the commission affected an agreement
with the Choctaw nation alone. The
Chickasaws have refused to agree to IFS
terms. and as they have a common inter
est with.thc Choctaws Ina the lands Of snid
nations. the agreement with the latter
nation could not have been made with
out the consent of the former. April o.
1891, the commission effected an agree
ment with both tribes-the Choctaws and
Chickasaws. This agreement. II Is UNDER
HN''Hf HHH H'tI lNAllltu ny lflt fOUNlllulNQ
authorities of the respective tribes or ma
tcns or parties thereto and only requires
ratification by congress TO make IL bind
ing
on the 25th Of September. 1897. an
agreement was effected with the Creek
nation but It is understood that the ma
tional council refused to raufy the same
Negotiations are yet TO be- had with the
Cherokees the most populous of the five
civilized tribes. and with the Seminoles
the smallest in point Of numbers and ter
ritory
the provision OF the Indian appropria-
tlon act approved June TO- 1856 makes IL
the duty of the commission TO investigate
and determine the rights of applicants for
citizenship In the i've civilized tribes.
The commission Is at present engaged in
this work among the tribes, and has made
arrangements for taking the census OF
these people up to and including the 30th
Of the present month.
Should the agreement between the Choc-
taws and Chckasaws be ratified by con-
gress and should the other tribes fail to
make an agreement with the commission
then some legislation must be had by con-
gress which, while just and honorable to
the Indians, shall be equitable to the
white people who have settled upon these
lands by invitation or the tribal nations
Hon. Henry l.. Dawes. chairman Of the
commission, IN letter TO the secretary OF
the Interior under date Of October II. 1887
says.
individual ownership IS not in their
(the commissioner opinion absolutely es-
sential to any permanent Improvement in
conditions. ana the lack of IL Is the root
OF nearly all the evils which have so
grievously afflicted these people. Allot-
ment by agreement Is the only possible
method, unless the United States courts
are clothed with the authority to apporuon
the lands among the citizen Indians for
whose use Il was originally granted"
I concur with the secretary OF the in
terror that there can be no cure Tor the
evils engendered by the perversion of these
great trusts except by their resumption by
the government which created them.