The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-12-10

our large NUMBER OF Vessels As Lnete are nov
on ths stocks five battleships Of the largest
class. which cannot be completed for year OF
two, concur with the recommendation OF the
secretary OF the navy for an appropriation
authorizing the construction Of one battleship
for the Pacific coast, where, at present there
is only one under commission and one under
construction while on the Atlantic coast there
are three under commission and four under
construction: and also that several torpedo
boats be authorized in connection with our
general system Of coast defense
The Territory of Alaska.
The territory of Alaska requires the prompt
and early attention of congress. The condi-
lions now existing demand material changes in
the laws relating to the territory. The great
influx Of population during the past summer
and fall and the prospect Of still larger immi-
grafton in the spring will not permit US to
longer neglect the extension Of civil authority
within the territory or postpone the establish
ment of a more thorough government
A general system Of public surveys has not
yet been extended to Alaska and all entries
thus far made in that district are upon special
surveys The act OF congress extending &c
Alaska the mining laws of the United States
contained the reservation that it should not be
construed to put in force the general land laws
OF the country. BY act approved March g. 1891
authority was given for entry of land for town
site purposes and also for the purchase Of not
for purposes OF trade and manufacture. The
purpose of congress as thus far expressed has
been that only such rights should apply to the
territory as should be specifically named
1t will be seen how much remains to be done
for that vast and remote and yet promising
portion Of our country. Special authority was
given to the president by the act of congress
approved July "A, 1897, to divide that territory
into two land districts and to designate the
boundaries thereof and to appoint registers
and surveyors OF said land offices; and the pres
ident was also authorized to appoint surveyor
general for the entire district Pursuant to
this authority. a surveyor general and receiver
have been appointed with Offices at Sitka- II
in the ensuing year the conditions justify II,
the additional land district authorized by law
will be established. whitman office at some point
in the Yukon valley. No appropriation, how
ever, was made for this purpose and that is
now necessary to be done for the two land dis
tricts into which the territory is to be divided
l concur with the secretary of war in his
suggestions as to the necessity for military
force in the territory OF ALASKA for the protec-
ton Of persons and property. Already a small
force consisting of p men with two Officers,
under command OF Lieut.. Col Randall. of the
Eighth infantry. has been sent to St Michael's
to establish military post. At il is to the in
terest of the government to encourage the de-
velopment and settlement of thu country and
benefits of legal machinery, 1 earnestly urge
upon congress the establishment OF a Sy I'm
OF government of such ieXibility as will enable
II to adjust itself to the future areas of great
est population
The startling, though possibly exa Egerated
reports from the Yukon river country of the
possible shortage OF food for the large number
Of people who are wintering there without the
means of leaving the country are confirmed in
such a measure as to justify bringing the mat
ter to the attention Of congress Access to that
country this winter can be had only by the
passes from Dyea and vicinity which is most
difficult and perhaps an impossible task. How
ever should these reports Of the suffering OF
our fellow-citizens be further verified. every
effort at any cost should be made to carry them
relief.
The Indian Problem.
For a number OF years past it has been APP
parent that the conditions under which the five
civilized tribes were established in the Indian
territory unier treaty provisions with the
United States, with the right of self-gOvern-
ment and the exclusion Of all white persons
from within their borders have undergone so
complete change as to render the continuance
Of the system thus inaugurated practically i'm
noSsible The total number OF the five civilized
and this number has not materially increased;
while the white population is estimated at
from 200, 900 to 2S0.0O, which by permission of
the Indian government has settled in the
territory. The present area OF the Indian
territory contains 1855 1861 acres much Of
which is very fertile land The United States
citizens residing in the territory, most of whom
have gone there by invitation or with the con-
sent Of the tribal authorities, have made per-
manent homes for themselves. Numerous
towns have been built in which from 500 to
5000 white people now reside. Valuable resi-
dences and business houses have been erected
in many OF them. Large business enterprises
are carried on in which vast sums of money are
employed, and yet these people, Who have in
vested their capital in the development Of the
productive resources Of the country, are with
out title to the land they occupy and have
no voice Whatever in the govern
ment either Of the nations or tribes
Thousands Of their children, who were
born in the territory are Of school age, but the
doors of the school OF the nations are shut
by private contribution. No provision for the
protection of the life or property Of these white
citizens Is made by the tribal governments and
courts The secretary Of the interior reports
that leading Indians have absorbed great tracts
Of land TO the exclusion of the common people
and government by an Indian aristOcracy has
been practically established, 20 the detriment
of the people. 1t has been found impossible
for the United States to keep its citizens out
OF the territory and the eXecu, DRY conditions
contained in treaties with these nations have
for the most part become impossible OF execu-
ton. Nor has it been possible for the tribal
governments to secure to each individual
Indian his full enjoyment in common with
other Indians of the common property
OF the nations. Friends of the Indians
have long believed that the best interests Of
the Indians Of the FIVE civilized tribes would
be found in American citizenship, with al the
rights and privileges which belong to that con-
dition.
BY section lo Of the act OF March, 1893, the
president was authorized to appoint three COM
missionerssto enter into negotiations with the
Cherokee. Ghoctaw. Chickasaw, Muskogee Tor
Creek and SeIninole nations commonly known
as the five civilized tribes in the Indian terri
tory. Briefly the purposes of the negotiations
were to be: The eXtinguishment of tribal titles
to any lands within the territory now held by
any and all such nations and tribes,
either by cession of the same or
some part there II to the United
States or by allotment and division Of the SAM
in severslty among the Indians Of such nations
or tribes respectively as may be entitl ID to the
same. OF by such other metha1 as NAV be
agreed upon between the several nations and
tribes aforesaid. or each of them with IN"
United States. with a view to such an adjust
ment upon the basis OF justice and equity