Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-03-31
THE FIVE TRIBES
IN CONGRESS.
SPANISH AFFAIRS OVERSHADOW
INDIAN LEGISLATION.
Curtis Bill not Reached Committee
Oppose all Other Legislation
Cent Fare Bill i'm Danger-Bill for
Court at NOwata.
Copyright 1881


War talk and war measures have
right of way, and have interviewed
to postpone consideration of all
measures and matters of minor
Importance. The whole week has
been devoted TO appropriation
bills, measures for the relief of the
survivors of the Maine disaster,
measures for the equipment of the
army, navy and coast defenses.
The Curtis bill is exactly where
itwas at the writing of my last
communication. The only expla-
nation is: 1t has not been reached.
1t has, however, by no means been
lost sight of. Those directly be-
hind it, Notwithstanding their in
terest in pending matters of nation
al and international import, are on
the alert and watching at every
turn, hoping to rush in and secure
its passage during a lull in the
general storm of excitement that
prevails.
In this they may or may not
succeed during the coming week.
1t is understood that when the
pending naval appropriation bill
is disposed of, there will be
regular order" which means a
call of the committees, in which
event the desired end could be at
tanned.
By reason of the present inter
national complications would say
TO the people of the Indian Terri
tory that nothing can be fcretold
with any degree of certainty, and
this applies to the Curtis bill.
Should the house settle back to its
normal temper ard condition Its
early passage would be assured.
The Indian appropriation bill,
with its many amendments of vi
tai Importance to the people of the
Indian Territory, occupies exactly
the same attitude toward inter
national matters that now claim
the attention of congress.
As stated in communications of
the past two weeks, it is in confer
ence. The conferees of both
house and senate have been ap-
pointed, and nothing remains to be
done but to get together and settle
the disagreement of the two houses.
As it is, the meetings of the COM
mittee have been postponed from
time to time, at the suggestion of
the members on the part of the
senate, on account of their disin-
clination to enter actively upon
the consideration of minor matters
at this time.
1t is now suggested that they |
will hold their first meeting early |
next week.
The report of the house Indian
affairs committee on the "omnibus |
claims bill" has been presented,
and the bill placed on the house
calendar.
The geport Vas written by Mr.. |
Little, upon instructions from the
committee, and amends the bill as
1t passed the senate by adding the
claims of the Delawares for money
due them from the United States
under treaty of 1854: the claims of
the Peorias for the lands and mon.
les due them under treaties of 1854
and 1867; the claim of the Semi.
noles for arrears of interest due
from the United States; and the
claims of the loyal Creeks and
Seminoles for property destroyed
during the war.
The section of the senate bill
authorizing the intermarried whites
of the Chickasaw, Choctaw and
Cherokee nations, is amended by
adding the following:
Provided that nothing herein
shall impair or disturb any rights
acquired by such persons acquired
by virtue of the finding of the COM
mission to the FIVE civilized tribes
or the United State. courts in the
Indian Territory under jurisdic.
ton conferred by act of congress of
June 10Th, 1896"
The last section is also amended
by providing that the decision of
the court Of claims shall be final.
In discussing the necessity of
of these many claims
and contentious by reference to the
cOurts, the report says:
"Your committee are of the
opinion that the several questions
sought to be transferred to the
court of claims for adjudication are
of that character that can be set
tied with more satisfaction in a
court, upon judicial investigation,
than In legislative body, involv-
ing as they do, intricate and com
plicated questions of law and fact.
X They are questions OF
long standing and have been the
fruitful source of much contention
and dissatisfaction, and they de-
mand a speedy and just settle.
ment. Their determination must
precede the allotment of the tribal
ands in severalty or any just dis
-ribution of the funds belonging to
said tribes or nations. Your COM
nittee therefore recommend the
passage of the BILL" i
*** II
Mr.. Broderick of Kansas has in
reduced a bill ''to establish Uni
ed States court at Nowata, Cbero-
Iee Nation. The bill provides that +,
court shall be held at this point by {
he judge of the Northern district,
md that two terms shall be held {
Zach year at such times as he may S
ol;ooto