The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1897-12-10
THE INDIANS.
Needs of White Residents i'm the Ter
ritOrx Must BE Considered.

For number or years past II has been
the five civilized tribes were established
in the Indian territory under treaty pro-
visions with the United States, with the
right of self-government and the ex-
clusion of all white persons from within
their borders, have undergone so complete
a change as to render the continuance of
the system thus inaugurated practically
impossible. The total numbe of the tive
civilized tribes, as shown by the last census.
is 45,494, and this number has not material
ly increased, while the white population is
estimated at from 100000 to 100000, which,
by in the G 'he
area of the Indian territory contains 25.-
6y4.564 acres MUCH OF which is very fer
siding in the territory, most of whom have
gone there by invitation or with the con-
sent of the, tribal authorities, have made
permanent homes for themselves. Numer-
Gus towns have been built in which from
500 to 5000 white people now reside. Valu-
able residences and business houses have
been erected in many of them. Large bust
ness enterprises are carried on in
have have III invested their capital in the develop
ment of the productive resources of the
country, are without title to, the land they
government either of the nations or tribes.
Thousands of their children who were born
IN the are % OF sened age et sb
against them and what education they get
is by private contribution: No provision
Of Of these hes - white citizens is made by the
tribal governments and courts.
An Indian AristOcracy.
The secretary of the interior reports that
leading Indians have absorbed great tracts
pie and government by an Indian aristoc-
I.racy has been practically established, to
found for the gifted States
keep its citizens out of the territory and
the executOry conditions contained in
I ky-oo fn5 rxyifh 10 innu hnN for he
most part become impossible of execution.
| Nor has it been possible for the tribal gov
er1ments to on secure TO e "a individ ,I:
| 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 all
the rights and privileges which belong to
The Dawes COmmission.
| BY section 16 of the act of March 3. 1893.
| the president was authorized to appoint
three commissioners TO enter into negotla-
| saw, Muskogee Tor Creek) and Seminole ma
| lions. commonly known as the Five Civ
| ilized Tribes in the Indian territory Brief
! ~, the purposes of the negotiations were
| to be: The eXtinguishment of tribal titles
| to any lands within that territory now
held by any ana all Suc9 ma ha'1 same or or
| some part thereof to the United States or
| by allotment and division OF the same in
| S6Vordlty among the Indians VI SuCl
! tons or tribes respectively as may be en-
| titled to the same, or by such other method
| as may be agreed upon between the sew
| eral nations and tribes aforesaid, or each
| of them with the United States, with Il
| view 10 such an adjustment upon the basis
| of Justice and equity as may, with the con-
| sent of the said nations of Indians, so far
| as may be necessary, be requisite and suit
| able to enable the ultimate creation o.
| state or states of the union, which snail
| embrace the lands within said Indian te!-
| rtOry.
The commission met much opposition
very slow to act and those in control mani
| tested a decided disinclination to meet
| with favor the propositions submitted TO
! them. A little more than three years after
! this organiZa ton the commission effected
! an agreement with the Choctaw nation
| alone. The Chicka saws. however. refused
! to agree to its terms, and as they have
| a common interest with the Choctaws in
| the lands of said nations. the agreement
/ with the latter nation could have no eff
| feet without the consent of the former.
| On April 23 1897. the commission effected
an agreement with both tribes-the ChCc-
| Jaws and Chickasaws. This agreement,
! it is understood has been ratified by the
| constituted authorities of the respective
| tribes or nations parties thereto, and only
! reQnires ratification by congress to ma Ike
| It binding. On the 9th of September. 1891
| an agreement was effected with the Greek
nation. but it is understood that the ma
! tional council of said nation has refused
| TO he had with the Cherokees, the most
! popuous of the Five Civilized tribes. and
| with the SeminoleS, the smallest in point
| of numbers and territory.