Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-04-14
CAPT. McKENNON INTERVIEWED.

Learning of the return to the
territory Saturday Of Capt. McKen-
non. of the Dawes commission, a
CHIEFTAIN representative hunted
the gentleman up at Muskogee and
spent much time in his company
until he left the Katy at Wagner
next morning on his way home to
Clarksville, Ark. His return west
at this time was for the reason that
it seemed impossible to accom-
plish anything in Washington for
two weeks at least, pending action
by the house on the Curtis bill.
Capt. McKennon is sanguine that
important Indian legislation will
be enacted at this session. While
differences may arise between
house and senate, those two bodies
are together on the broad principle
that change in the affairs of this
territory is demanded and they
will harmonic their differences by
enacting some legislation that
makes a step forward, before adj
iournment. This is not in accord
ance with the word given out by
the indian delegations, but Capt.
McKennon states it as his belief
and also that of others interested.
Like many others the gentleman
is not altogether satisfied with the
Curtis bill, out not being a mem
Der of the law making body it is
not in his province to criticise it,
unless asked an expression from
the Indian committee. Some
changes which suggested them
selves he placed at the disposal OF
senator prominent in Indian leg
islation before leaving Washington
and if that gentleman comedies he
will doubtless find way to incor-
porate them in the senate measure.
An expedient TO accomplish al
lotment which it is now thought
may be adopted is to provide for
bringing suits in partition by the
members of the various nations
of course after complete set of
rolls has been made. Capt. Nc
Kennon feels confident this plan is
practicable, as the only defense
would be whether the party was a
bona fide citizen or not. If found
in the affirmative a decree author
izing his share of the land and
money TO be set off 10 him would
be entered, and hundreds, if not
thousands of cases could be dis
posed of in day. This plan was
suggested in this country eight or
ten years ago but was judged by
members of congress to whose at
tention it was brought, to be too
radical, and in conflict with the
rights of the nations.
Congress is determined to place
beyond the reach of the authorities
of the various nations, so far as
possible, all'of their funds, and the
days of high-priced delegations
and Indian lobbies may be regard
ed as at an end. 1t is perhaps not
out of place to state that the $780,
600 freeman fraud, and the $40, ,00C
delegation and attorney appropria.
tion, OF the Cherokees, is largely
responsible for the attitude of the
federal authorities.
The proposition to appraise and
sell the town lots and place the
proceeds to the credit of the vari.
Gus Indian nations in the sub.
treasury has not altogether been
abandoned. 1t is concluded thai
the probabilities are the citizen:
would very soon favor the accep.
tance of the money and in any
event the equity of the purchaser
would be fixed, the government
would be back OF and prevent hi:
being dispossessed, and he would
eventually secure a title.
Capt. McKennOn stated thai
there was no thought of restoring
the jurisdiction OF the tribal courts
He stated that when he went to
Washington be was impressed with
the feeling that something ought
to be done 10 enable the nations tC
collect their revenues of variou:
kinds. On consultation with mem
bers of congress he found the en-.
actment of such a measure impos-
sible, partly for the reason that the
conditions in each of the five ma
tions were different and thai
it would take something like fiv,
revenue laws instead of one
There was no thought of the Uni
ted States courts taking jurisdic
ton and enforcing the tribal reven
T ue laws any more than the triba
courts could have taken up thu
United States statutes and inflicted
their penalties upon those guilty