Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-04-14
SITUATION PRACTICALLY UN-
CHANGED AT THE CAPITAL.
Information For WOuld-be Fighters
Proposed Amendments-Indem
for the SeminOles- TO
Establish COHrt at
SallisaW.
Copyright 1881

commissions, | would say: In
company with Hon. John S. Little
OF Arkansas, | this morning called
Oh the adjutant general Of the war
department, and asked him to in
dicate what steps the department
would take to avail itself of the
services of those in the Indian Ter
ritory, who want to serve, in the
event of war What he said |
quote, in substance, for the infor-
nation of those so much desiring
information on this point; and COM
ing as it does from the head of this
branch of the service, it can be re-
lied upon.
The adjutant general said: "Un-
til congress acts and war is declar-
ed, the department cannot enlist
men or authorize it to be done
When war is declared our duty is
clear Arrangements will be made
for calling into the service troops
from the various states and ,erri-
tories. The Iadian Territory and
the District of Columbia will be
placed on an equal footing with all
the states and territories. Until
war is declared nothing can be
done toward enlistment or author
izing the same"
***
The week brings no change in
the status pending legislative
measures.
The Curtis bill, the Indian ap-
preparation bill, and the "Omnibus
Indian Claims bill" stand neglect
ted. The Curtis bill has blocked
the latter two, the war situation
has blocked the Curtis bill, and
something visible or invisible,
known or unknown, has blocked
the war situation. The deadlock
is complete. The eagle is mute,
the Goddess of Liberty atop the
dome is speechless. The voice of
congress is hushed, and all eyes
are turned to the white house, and
to the man who holds in his hand
the key to the situation.
Congressman Curtis has returned
from attending the funeral of his
father, and rejoined those who
stand ready to carry the bill to the
statute books. His presence or
absence, however, or that of his
co-laborers, is immaterial at this
time.
The Indian appropriation bill
has not been ia ken up by the con-
ference committee. The house
members have long been ready,
but the conferees on the part of
the senate have never agreed to a
meeting of the committee. Many
dates have been suggested, but as
often postponed. 1t is signifi-
cant fact that the senate has agreed
to 70 conferences on pending leg
islation for more than ten days.
This added TO the continued post
ponement of the Indian appropria-
ton indicates to those who know,
that the senate intends to prolong
the session. Whether or not this
is true | have not yet learned. but
the question of adjournment is not
now discussed to any extent. 1t
is safe TO say that the session will
continue until the crisis in OuI
affair with Spain has been reached
and passed. Just when this will
be, if ever, no one knows.
*s.*
Although the Curtis bill and al
other measures of actual Indian
Territory legislation are blocked
the discussion OF their feature;
goes on among those interested
both for or against their passage
The Choctaw, Chickasaw anC
Greek treaties are freely discussed
That the senate will amend and
send them back to the Indians fol
adoption is by no means improb-
able. Discussion OF this plan ha:
gone so far as to develop the nature
of the amendments the senate will
likely attach.
1t is suggested that the Greek
and Seminole treaties will stand a:
they are, and that the Greek treaty
will be resubmittted to the Indian:
in its original form.
To the Choctaw- ChickasaW
treaty many amendments are sug
gested, and the following is the
substance of the amended townsitt
provision: An appraisement board
for each nation, consisting of three
members shall be appointed, one
by the chief executive of the tribe;
one to be member of the Dawes
commission. chosen by the chair
man thereof; and one by the town
The board shall lay out the towns
and make plats thereof, the plats
to be filed with the clerk of the
United States court, the chiet o.
the nation and the secretary of the
interior. When so laid out the
lots, "on which have been made
permanent, substantial and valu
able Improvements, other than
fencing. tillage and temporary
/ houses" shall be valued at the
price a fee simple title would bring
in the market at the tim9 of valua
tion, not 10 include in such valua.
tion the improvements thereon
Report shall be made to the secre
tary of the interior for correction
and approval. The owner of such
improvements shall have the right
tO huy such LOT at one nalf of said