Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-01-20
THE NEW TERRITORY BILL
WORK OF SUBCOMMITTEE HAS
BEEN COMPLETED.
Changes Made From the Original Cur
It's Bill-Strong Probability Of Pas
sage With Little Change.

Washington. January 15.-After
many meetings of the joint sub
committees on Indian affairs, the
measure which promises to be
substantially that accepted by both
houses has been agreed upon.
The Curtis bill as originally pre-
pared will be the basis of probable
legislation concerning allotments
and townsites in the Indian Ter
ritory. Section l of the amended
bill describes what persons the
word "officer" shall be construed
to cover in criminal prosecutions,
and section 2 gives to the court
authority to make a tribe a party
to any suit wherein its interests
are affected.
Section 3 is amended to permit
parties who have made improve
ments to set up that fact, and to
be allowed for their improvements
where they have not occupied
the premises sufficient time to pay
for them; the value of improve
ments to be found by the court or
jury.
Sections 4 and 5 are not changed.
Section 6 is rewritten so that in
stead of requiring a bond to be
given by parties securing a con-
tinuance, it is made discretionary
with the Judge as to whether or
not security is needed.
Section z is amended so as TO
extend the jurisdiction of Fort
Smith, Ark, for police purposes
over the land in the Indian Ter
ritory lying between Fort Smith
and the Poteau river.
Section s is amended so as to
prevent the transfer of allotments,
exempting them for liability for
any obligations contracted by the
allottee and making them non-tax-
able. 1t also is amended so as TO
provide for reserving from allot-
ment sufficient land tor churches.
schools, cemeteries and charitable
institutions.
Section 8 is amended so that the
lease of coal land is limited to a
period of Is years, not to cover
more than 100 acres of surface
land or more than $40 acres of
mineral land; also, a provision is
made that the lessee shall pay at
the rate of 500 per annum
in advance for the first and second
year, 5000 for the third ana fourth
year, and $500 for each succeeding
year; these payments to be treated
as the advance royalty on the
mines; and if the parties refuse or
neglect to pay the advance annual
royalty for the period of 60 days
after the lease becomes due and
payable, the lease shall become
null and void and all the royalties
paid in advance shall then become
and be the money and property of
the tribe.
A provision is also added to
section nine requiring parties who
operate coal and other mineral
leases to pay for the Improvement
upon any land that may be. dam
aged by reason of the opening up
of the mines.
The townsite provisions of the
original Curtis bill are changed so
as to provide that the United
States consents and authorizes that
each of the five tribes convey by
deed to any city or town which is
now or may hereafter be incorpor-
ated under the provisions of this
act, the lands embraced within
the limits of said incorporation,
upon such terms and for such
prices as shall be agreed upon be-
tween said tribes and corporations,
subject to the approval of the Sec
retary of the interior.
After the lands are purchased by
a city, its chief officer is directed
to plat the ground into blocks, lots
and streets, and upon the plat be-
ing filed and approved by the
secretary of the interior. the secre-
tary shall appoint an officer, who,
in conjunction with the chief Of
fcer Of the city or town, shall ap-
praise the lands embraced in the
town, and if the two appraisers
are unable to agree upon the value
they shall select a third person
who is not interested in the town
to assist them and the determin-
alton of the majority of such ap-
praisers shall be conclusive. Any
person having a building upon
any of the lots may purchase the
same at the appraised value; but
if he fails TO purchase it in six
months, then the lots may be sold
at public auction TO the highest
bidder at price not less than the
appraised value.
Lots not occupied by any per-
son may be sold at private sale at
the appraised value or at public
auction under the regulations pre-
scribed by the secretary of the in
terror. The proceeds of the lots
shall be applied first to purchase
price of the lands, and after that
payment is made the balance shall
be deposited with the secretary of
the interior for the use of the
public schools of the city. 1t is
provided that until title shall be
obtained under the provision Of
this section, the use of the vacant
lots in cities and towns shall be
disposed of upon such conditions
as may be provided by the secre-
tarv of the interior.
New sections are added to the
Curtis bill authorizing the Dawes
commission to take the roll OF