Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-09
INDIAN PROBLEM.
Secretary Bliss Wants to End Tribal
Relations in the Territory.
The PROPOSED INDIAN CONGRESS-.
Opinion of Many Members of Both Bouse1
|. as to What Congress May Do-New
Countcrfeit Silver Certificate
Commissioner Brice to Go.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The chief
problem which Secretary of the Int
rior Bliss has before him is the Indian
territory. 1t is receiving great deal OF
atten tion from him. He freely declares
his intention to bring about the disso-
luton of tribal relations if congress
will enact the necessary legislation.
In the course of a frank conversation
yesterday he outlined his views on this
su bject. He will recommend to con-
greSS that a law be passed speedily
providing for a uniform system of gov.
srnment over the Indian territory as
a whole, similar to that in other terri.
tories, which places all of the inhabit-
ants in the possession of the rights
and liberties guaranteed all citizens
Of the United States by the constitu-
ton. Such action, he admits, woulo
be technically a violation of the treatie:
that now exist between the govern
ment and the five nations and which
guarantee them the right of self-gov
eminent. But the secretary and al
the officials of the interior department
contend that the tribes have forfeited
their rights by continued violations
of the terms of the treaties and have
no just claim upon the government in
this respect.
There is one obstacle, in the secre
tary's opinion, to a settlement of this
perplexing question. It is a provision
in the charter of the Missouri. Kansas
g. Texas railway under which thai
company is entitled to every alternate
section of land for ten miles on each
side of its track-30O miles long-when
ever the Indian title is extinguishec
and the land becomes part of the pub
lie domain. The railroad company
stands ready to push its claim when
ever tribal relationship is dissolved
While Secretary Bliss does not admit
that the railroad company has any
claim, he thinks that this peculiar sit
uation demands the immediate inter
vention of congress. He con tends, ano
is sustained by the law officers of the
department, that SO long as the In
dians occupy or have the benefit of the
lands or enjoy the proceeds of their
lease or sale. whether they be disposed
of through the government according
to the ordinary methods of the land
office or by auction, or otherwise, the
railway company has no claim.
Proposed Indian Congress.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.--Senator AlleI
will introduce bill providing for the
appropriation of 500, 900 or as much
thereof as may be necessary to cover
the expenses of a congress of Indian
tribes to meet at Omaha, Neb.. next
year between the 1st of June and the
end of October, the intention being to
make this one of the features of the
Omaha exposition. The bill provides
that the secretary of the interior,
he Of In
affairs, shall arrange all details fol
the congress, with which shall be illus
trated the past and present conditions
United States. The congress shall be
composed of represen tative members
of every tribe, showing the tribal Gus
toms and habits, ancient and modern
the progress made by education anc
such other matters and things as shall
fully illustrate Indian advancement il
civilization. Senator Allen believes
that such congress, besides possess
ing great educational features, will
also have historical value, as it will be
the first time representatives of all the
Indian tribes of the country have even
assembled in a congress. 1t will also
be big drawing card for the exposi
ton.
What Congress VIII Do
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-A correspond
ent has interviewed the majority OF
the members of both houses who have
arrived at the capital with regard to
the probable work to be accom- plished
by the coming session of congress.
There is almost unanimous agreement
that nothing will be done with the
currency. Some think it probable
that the house may attempt to pass a
measure, but all admit that it will die
in the senate. There will be final
and determined fight in the senate
against the annexation treaty, but
there is probability that it will be
ratified. There is general opinion
that a voluntary bankruptcy law will
be enacted; and the majority are in
clined to think that immigration and
interstate commerce will be disposed
of this winter. There is no belief that
general legislation will extend beyond
these subjects, although there will be
a wide range of debate, covering civil
service amendments among other ques-
tionS.
New Counterfeit silver Certificate
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The discovery
of a new counterfeit IS silver certii-
cate of the series of 1891, with por-
trait of Grant, is announced by the
treasury secret service. The note is
neither as long nor as wide as the
genuine. Apparently it is printed
from plates made by the photo-me
chanical process, and is well executed.
especially the lettering, seal and en-
tire back of the note. Gen. Grants
portrait is different in some details
from that in the genuine and on the
whole has fat appearance
Fish Commissioner Brice to Go.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 5.-Fish Commits
sloner Brice is slated to GO The pres
ident has determined upon a change
and will create a vacancy in the offict