Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-02-17
THE FIVE TRIBES
IN CONGRESS.
VARIOUS MEASURES FOR RELIEF
OF THE TERRITORY.
Membership of the Dawes Commission
Raised from Three to FOur-BilI in
trOduced PROV idIng for Revision of
All the Rolls.
Copyright lS9S

ate so to speak. That body has
made substantial progress this
week.
On Thursday of this week the
senate took up the Indian appro-
priation bill, and attached thereto
many important amendments. In
substance, they are as follows:
The membership of the Dawes
commission was raised from three,
the number to which it had been
reduced by the house committee.
10 four, and the amount appropri-
ated for the support of the COM
mission and its clerical force was
raised to S43, 400.
The bill introduced last week
providing for a revision of all the
rolls of the tribes, by the Dawes
commission, and prescribing the
manner and means for the ac-
complishment of the work, was
adopted in toto, and added to the
bill as an amendment. (The sub
stance of this measure was given
in detail in my communication of
two weeks ago).
Rejected citizenship claimants,
and the tribes may, within sixty
days after the passage of the act,
appeal all cases decided by the
Dawes commission and the United
States courts, under act of Jure
10, 1896, TO the court OF appeals OF
the territory, and thence to the
supreme court of the United States.
The bill introduced some time
ago by Senator Jones and Judge
Little providing for the ratification
of the Seminole treaty, was adopt
ed as an amendment to the bill
To resume: The Indian appro-
priation bill, as it passes the sem
ate, carries amendments for the re-
organization of the Dawes com
mission; the revision OF the rolls
of the several tribes; a provision
for appeal of the citizenship cases
to the court of appeals of the ter
ritory and the supreme court of
the United States; and the ratifi-
cation of the Seminole treaty.
There is scarcely any doubt that
all of these amedments will stand
in the bill and 60 into law, with
the exception of the manner of
appealing the citizenship cases. 1t
is understood that they will never
be allowed to go to the supreme
court of the United States, and
that this was adopted yesterday
only as matter of form, to save
time and avoid debate, it being
by those in charge of
the bill that it would be modified
when the bill goes into conference.
The concensus of opinion now is,
that these claimants will be given
the right of appeal to the court of
at St. Louis. The Dawes
see no objection to
this and it will probably be done.
At the Friday session of the
senate another amendment was
adopted providing that holders of
Greek warrants, payment of which
was stopped by the secretary of
the interior on account of the dis
coyery of fraudulent warrants, may
enter suit against the Creek nation
for the payment of the same in the
court of claims.
The house Indian affairs COM
mittee met Thursday to resume
of the Curtis bill.
All the members were present and
The committee room was filled
with both Indian and white dele
gates from the territory. Alter
of some minor matters
he committee took up the Curtis
bill, in executive session. The |
irst sections of the bill, relating to |
matters of court jurisdiction were
'ead. Judge Little's amendment |
or the protection of farmers hav
ng improvements for which they |
nave not received compensation
vas read and passed. At this
point the committee entered dis
,ussion of the question as to
whether or not all those who have
,een denied citizenship in the ma
ions, and who are now on tribal
ands, shall be given the right to
'ccupy the same TO the 31st of
december of this year. Before the
discussion on this point ended
2 o'clock arrived and the COM
nittee adjourded to meet again on
londay the 18th. At Mondays
leeting an amendment will be Of
cred as follows: "All persons
-ho have made improvements on
-ibal land, and whose claims to
Itizenship have been decided ad-
ersely under act of congress OF
une 10, 1896, shall have posses
on thereof until December 31st, /
S9S, and may, prior 10 that time,
I'll or dispose of their improve {
tents TO any member OF the tribe
/ which the land is located, who I
esires to take the same in his al
'tment. Provided, That this d
.ction shall not apply to improve {
ents which have been appraised a
I'd paid for, or payment rendered 7
: the Cherokee nation, under |
,reement with the United States |
,proved by congress March 3, /
49," Another important amend |
ent to be offered provides that ?
ayors of cities and towns TO be {
corporated, shall have and exer- c
Sc the same authority in civil d
d chi ninal matters as, and CO. i
tensive with, United States com 4
lssioners. 10
The amendment to the townsite il
,rsa nranarad and auraa1 unou | II