The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1897-12-11

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.
1 concur with the secretary of war in his
suggestions as to the necessity for i military
force in the territory OF ALASKA for the protec-
ton OF persons and property. Already a small
force, consisting OF % men with two onicers.
under command of Lieut.. Col Randall. OF the
Eighth infantry. has been sent to st. hiichael's
to establish n military post. At it is to the in
terest of the government TO encourage the de-
velopment and settlement OF the country and
its duty to follow up its citizens there with the
benefits of legal machinery. 1 earnestly urge
upon congress the establishment of a system
of government Of such fexibility as will enable
it to adjust itself to the future areas OF great
est population
The startling. though possibly exaggerated
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
~ In = wiz t1eNDAE1AEA IA VA AANAAaAh
territory under 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 n change rs to render the continuance
Of the system thus inaugurated practically i'm
possible. The total number of the five civilized
tribes, as shown by the last census, is Is. 494,
and this number has not materially increased;
while the white population is estimated at
from 200, 200 to $50 90, which by permission Of
the Indian government has settled in the
territory. The present area Of the Indian
territory contains 25, 69i ,56i 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
against them and what education they get Is
by private contribution No provision for the
protection of the life or property Of these white
C1LlEeQS Is mhQo Dy the IIlDdl EONcIunculS anu
courts. The secretary OF the interior reports
that leading Indians have absorbed greattracts
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. It has been found impossible
for the United States TO keep its citizens out
OF the territory and the cNecutory conditions
contained In treaties with these nations have
for the most part become impossible of eXeou-
ton. Nor has 10 been possible for the tribal
gnUarprnRnfG 70 EaRnga m annh fm1iNi1NnI
Indian his full enjoyment In common with
other Indians Of the common property
ar the nations. Friends OF the Indians
have long believed that the hest interests OF
the Indians OF the five civilized tribes would
he found In American citizenship, with all the
rights and privileges which belong TO that con-
dition.
by section 10, OF the act OF March, 1898. the
president was authorized to appoint three com
missioners to enter into negotiations with the
Cherokee, ChOctaw, Chickasaw. Muskogee (or
Creek) and Seminole nations. commonly known
as the Eve civilized tribes in the Indian terri
tory. Briefly. the purposes OF the negotiations
were to be: The eXtinguiShmeut OF tribal titles
to any lands within the territory low held by
any aud all suoh nations and tribes.
either by coSslon OF the same or
some part thereof to the United
States or by allotmen and division OF the same
in severalty among the Indians Of such nations
or tribes respectively as may be entitled TO 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 n view to such an adjust
ment upon the basis OF justice ana equity a9
may, with the consent of the said nations of
Indians, so far as may no necessary, requisite
and suitable, TO enable the ultimate creation of
n state or states of the union, which shall em-
brace the lands within said Indian territory.
The commission met much opposition from
the beginning. The Indians were very slow to
act and those in control manifested u decided
fae-. - -A-,N It'll. V.u.- IA vwA-AL ]
lions submitted to them. little mere tLaa
three years after this organization the commits
sion effected an agreement with the Choctaw
zauIon HfUAe. ans CutcKaS;aTs, however, lee
fused to agree to its terms, and as they have a
common interest with the Choctaws in the
lands OF said nations, the agreement with this
latter nation could have no effect without tho
Of the tormeE On April %, 1897, tho
e1ected an agreement with both
Choctaws and ChickasaWs. Thil
agreement, it Is understood, has been ratified
by the constituted authorities of the respective
lrlbes or nations, parties thereto, and only re-
luires ratification by congress TO make IL bind
On the eth Of September, 1897. an agreement
was effected with the Creek nation but il Is I
understood that the national council os saiq
nation has refused To ratify t.e same. Nega-
arc yet 10 be had with the Cherokee. I
The most populous OF the i've civilized tribes,
and with the Seminoles the smallest in point
OF numbers and territory. The provision in the
Indian appropriation act, approved June "a,
1895, makes 1t the duty OF the commission 10
and determine the rights OF appli.
SAINTS for citizenship IN the i've civilized tribes.
The commission is at present engaged IN this
work among tribes and has made appointments
'or taking the census OF these people up to apa
.qGludiEg che Suth OF the present month.
Should the agreement between the Choctaw1
and ChicEasaws lie ratified by congress and
-Aould the other tribes fail 10 make an agree
nent with the commission, then It viii be ne.
nEsnR NJ that gAnaA 49, 4
which, while just and honorable to
he Indians, shall be equitable to the white
who have settled upon these lands hv irs
OF the tribal nations. Hon. Henry Ia
Dawes, chairman OF the commission Ia "a lette,
q tie secretary o. The interior, under date Of
lctober H. 1897, SAYS; Individual ownership
$ Ia their (the commissioner opinion absolute
Y essential to any permanent improvement Ia
resent conditions. ana the lack OF it is the
of nearly all the evils which SO prievously
inlet these people. Allotment by agreement