The Monte Vista journal., 1898-01-01
INDIAN TERRITORY.
gPLANs FOR THE FUTURE.
congrsss Trying to Break up the Tribal
Arrangem~nt-Great Value Of the In
tllaps' Land.


The two committees on Indian af-
fairs are working together in the prep
n hration of n bill to carry out the rec
= concentrations of Secretary Bliss with
K ,xegard to new form Of government in
the Indian territory. They are unan-
tEnous In the opinion that prompt and
radical action should be taken to dis
3, solve the tribes, abolish the existing
tribal governments and place the in
habitants OF the several reservations
ppon the snme footing as the citizens
vf other territories. with equal rights.
privileges and protection. The chiefs
nd other leading men will, of course.
fslst any attempt to deprive them of
elr present autOcratc power and rev.
hues, and will appeal to treaties that
ere made years ago, but the officials
the Indian Bureau declare that those
eaties have been trampled upon so
ng ana defiantly by the natives that
their rights were forfeited years
20.
Ihe first step to be taken will be the
0EnniZatiOn and admission OF Indian
eotritory into the United States. the ap-
poantment OF Il governor. n secretary.
judges and other officials that compose
e ordinary territorial organization
hen census of the territory will be
Dken and an election ordered for u leg
inture to frame Il code Of laws.
IA When the new order of things is per-
anently established 1t will be neces-
Dry for the government to allot the
lservation in scveralty among the
embers of the five tribes and take
easures for the protection of the
hite population and other settlers
ho have no legal claims upon the
fbcs. Persons who occupy farms and
her property upon which improve
ents have been made at their eX-
nse will probably be allowed TO pur-
)nse them at an appraised valuation.
proceeds being turned into "A fund
the benefit of the Indians. Squat
us rights will be recognized and pro-
Drted as far as they do not interfere
.h the public welfare. Leases that
Plve been made by officials or individ-
u4ls will be recognized as public prop
eety, and the rentals will be adjusted
o3on an apprnisemcnt of their values.
II 1t shall be found that any person Is
having the use of lands for which he
does not pay an adequate compensation
Hth4t lease will be cancelled. but the
1tier may have the option of renew
- the same upon other terms that
III be TO The best advantage of the
secs:
IA large portion Of the Indian lands
y now occupied as ranches by white
p0oplc or members of the tribes, but the
4uScnues are enjoyed by Il few indi-
0tial Indians and not by the Indians
!. . community. II l. proposed. there
f11e. 10 abolish these monopolies and
toonirc all rentals shall be paid into
~ public treasury under regulations
1oior prescribed by the secretary OF the
u. 1S. tN..t
- vigorous resistance. because IL
N deprive a small number of the
bao1ers of each tribe Of lucrative in
ceones 10 which they have no just
caa1ls
IT, allotment OF lands in severalty
Wiu bc a difficult problem, because
.nearly all the valuable tracts are now
rcNpicd, and the members OF the com
6ftee are not yet clear as 10 the meas
they should take in that direction
b are holding daily consultations
ex-senator Dawes and General
strong. of the Dawes commission
- will be largely guided by their rec
xoa endations. The members OF III.
Veoonittee are anxious to secure the
gights OF the individual members of tho
tylbe. who have hitherto been living
= q state of semi-serviiud". entirely
Haorant OF their own claims and Toe
t6G1oc to enforce them II they had an!
oonprehcnsion Of what they Were.
u the lands in Indian territory could
- oDld nj anything like their actua
value and the proceeds distributed pr,
nta among the members OF the iv,
tylbeS they would form one Of the rich
- Communities on earth. but III,
66ot majority of the natives have III
0qPpiion Of their own wealth and ar,
m4sompctcnt 10 project themselves II
should he in,rustcd with the ear,
..u&NDcir own property. Proper provis
&Nil be made In the bill! for thcii
Pctlon. 1, Is the Intention 10 pro
for the investment OF the proceeds
" sale OF their lands in funds. :,
the interest may bc used for cdu
pal purposes, for the erection oI
H. buildings aud FOR other purposes
wiil promote the general welfare.