New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-22
MR. DAWES on THE INDIAN PROBLEM.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FIVE TRIBEs-THE
TERRITORY ENTITLED TO STATEHOOD

NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FIVE TRIBEs-THE
TERRITORY ENTITLED TO STATEHOOD.
Washington Dec n-Some inside history Of the
recent NEGOTIATIONS Of the Dawes Commission with
the Ave civilized tribes Is given in the following
statement which ex-senator Dawes. Of the Com
mission, has submitted TO the Indian committees Of
Congress as the much discussed Choctaw and
Chickasaw treaty:
This treaty was ratified by the Choctaw Coun-
ell Tho Chickasaws prescribed ratification both by
Council and by popular vote. 1t was ratified by
their Council, but rejected by popular vote, 80 that
the Choctaws pronounce they have rejected the
treaty They prescribed that a certain class OF cit
heretofore voters should not vote on this ques
ton the lntermarred citizens They were the
Choctaws living in the Chickasaw country. mas
much as this treaty affected the land In that po-
ton OF the Territory. they ought to be permitted
10 vote on II also. but they were prevented from
voting. So that the impression has gone out. and
80 far as am personally concerned, Is that they
in common language squeched the agreement be-
fore the people that II never had any fair trial
/ was unable to sign that agreement for two rea-
sons one that It made no provision for the Choc-
taw freedmen. who claim to be citizens. and under
the treaty, entitled 10 forty acres OF land each IL
excludes them by allottlng all lands. so that II
their citizenship claims are sustained there would
be lands for their forty acres each. And the
United States is obliged TO remove them from the
Territory after they have become citizens and pay
them 500 each out OF the 10000 originally appro-
priated pay them. With all land allotted. these
four thousand or Ave thousand freedmen would be
on the hands OF the United States. like the Chero-
kee intruders. with an obligation 10 provide for
them. thought there should be reserved from the
allotment land enough to insure a competency for
them. II found to be 80 entitled. but there were
so many more important points to be gained by the
agreement that my colleagues thought they would
fai In their duty II they did not sign It,
Another reason: The Commission required
to determine II the Mississippi Choctaws were not
entitled to equal share in the Choctaw lands.
under their treaty or all lands allotted they have
left for them II found 10 be entitled. and the
United States would be obligated TO their support
The Choctaw Commissioners are bound up with
the Chckasaws. and while they have done all they
could 10 carry out this treaty the Chickasaws
are on their backs. and they are quite a different
people, and there are influences there which would
prevent the ratification by the Chickasaws OF any
agreement that We would be willing to impose. We
cannot do anything FOR the Choctaws. But such
legislation may be agreed on this winter as Will
make this people that IL Is better TO sit down
with OF their Commissioners and arbitrate
this matter by agreement. There Is more serious
fifty thousand more white people there. who are
residents and not intruders. Never Terri
tor organized In the United States which had one
half as many white people as there. and Congress
could never turn its face away from applicant
for recognition which contained one hundred thou
sand whites. Yet here is a Territory with over TWO
towns. without a Mayor. without constab.es, with
out courts without any law. Therefore l believe
that this IL a question which must come up before
Congress- and come up this winter | hope. II can
not be escaped. II would not be wise 10 wait until
there is outbreak between the Indians and these
people. who must be part or the state / want
condition In which It now is into one OF the States
Of this Union.