Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-06-16
THE CURTIS BILL
MOVES FORWARD.
lCoatinued tron page ~

Said commission is authorized
and directed TO make correct rolls
OF the citizens by blood of all the
other tribes, eliminating from the
tribal rolls such names as may
have been placed thereon by fraud
or without authority oflaw, enroll
ing such only as may have lawful
right thereto, and their descendants
born since such roll was made,
with such intermarried white per-
sons as may be entitled to Choctaw
and Chickasaw citizenship under
the treaties and the laws of said
tribes.
Said commission shall have au-
thority to determine the identity ol
Choctaw Indians claiming rights in
the Choctaw lands under article IA
of the treaty between the United
States and the Choctaw nation
concluded September p, 1880, and
to that end they may administer
oaths. examine witnesses, and per-
form all other acts necessary there.
10; and il they find that such per-
sons have removed TO and in good
faith become residents upon the
lands in the Choctaw nation, and
are entitled to enrolment under
said article, they shall place their
name on the rolls made by them.
The roll of Greek freedmen made
by J. w Dunn, under authority
of the United States, prior TO
March 1867, is hereby confirmed,
and said commission is directed to
enroll all persons now living whose
names are found on said rolls, ard
ali descendants born since the date
of said roll 10 persons whose names
are found thereon, with such other
persons of African descent as may
have been rightfully admitted by
the lawful authorities of the Greek
nation.
1t shall make a correct roll OF all
Choctaw freedmen entitled to citi-
zenship under the treaties and
laws of the Choctaw nation, and
all their descendants born to them
since the date of the treaty.
1t shall make a correct roll of
Chickasaw freedmen entitled to
any rights or benefits under the
treaty made in 1866 between the
United States and the Choctaw
and Chickasaw tribes, and their de-
scendants born to them since the
date of said treaty; and forty acres
ofland, including their present resi-
dences and improvements, shall be
allotted to each, to be selected,
held and used by them.
The several tribes may, by agree
ment. determine the right of per-
sons who for any reason may claim
citizenship in two or more tribes,
and to allotment of lands and dis.
tributions OF moneys belonging TO
each tribe; but if no such agree
ment is made, then such claimant
shall be entitled to such rights in
one tribe only, and may elect in
which tribe he will take such right:
but if he fail or refuse to make such
fAa6GiIap iii 1ip dfnes dfnes timDee timDe hhftrf hft shah A1Ui hi
ne has resided, and there be given
such allotment and distributions,
md not elsewhere.
No person shall be enrolled who
las not heretofore removed to and
n good faith settled in the nation
n which he claims citizenship:
Provided, however, that nothing
in this act shall be so
as to mitigate against
my rights or privileges which the
Mississippi Choctaws may have
lnder the laws of or treaties with
he United States.
Said commission shall make such
oils descriptive of the persons
hereon, so that they may be there
y Identified, and IL Is authorized
o take a census of each of said
ribes, or to adopt any other means
" them deemed necessary to en-
bic them to make such rolls.
hey shall have access to all rolls |
nd records of the several tribes. |
nd the United States court in the |
indian Territory shall have juris-
iction to compel the officers of
he tribal governments and custodi-
ms of such rolls and records to
oliver same to said commission.
nd on their refusal or failure 10
% so to punish them as for con.
empt; as also to require all citi.
ems OF said tribes, and persons
7ho should be so enrolled. to ap-
ear before said commission for
nrollment, at such times and
laces as may be fixed bv said
and to enforce obedi.
nee of all others concerned so
II as the same may be necessary
, enable said commission to make
,lls as herein required, and to
unish anyone who may in any
tanner or by any means obstruct
i'd work.
The rolls so made, when ap-
roved by the Secretary of the In.
rior, shall be final, and the
srsons whose names are found
ereon, with their descendants
born to them, with such
srsons as may intermarry ac-
riding to tribal laws, shall alone
institute the several tribes which
ey represent.
The members Of said commits
on shall, in performing all duties
CURED of them by law, have au- {
,9rity to administer oaths, ex
nNe ne witnesses, and send for !
- GUS and papers; and any per ]
,n III WIN shall wlllfully and know
iSiy nike any false affidavit or (