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

ton OF the secretary of the interior
TO whom they shall make stated
reports. All leases of coal and as
phalt, made under the Indian law
shall, by direction of the secretary
of the interior, be continued for
the period expressed therein; but
no lease shall exceed 960 acres,
and there shall be paid in advance
on each lease 500 per year for the
first and second years, beginning
January 1st, 1899, 5000 per year for
the third and fourth year, and $500
per year for each year thereafter;
and on failure in such payment,
the lease shall become void. Such
sums shall be considered advanced
royalties, and when the royalties
on the coal mined from any lease,
annually, are in excess OF the
amount due thereon, such advanced
royalties shall be applied to the
payment of such excess. The roy
atty of coal shall be 10 cents, and
on asphalt 60 cents per ton, to be
increased or reduced within the
discretion of the secretary of the
interior. Such leases shall contin-
ue 10 years, and be renewed, with
in the discretion of the secretary of
the interior.
Another amendment intended to
prevent the fencing of large areas
Of pasture and other lands in some
parts of the territory, information
of which has reached the several
departments here, is as follows:
The secretary of the interior shall
be authorized TO prevent any unlaw-
full or wrongful occupation of tribal
property, and may locate an Indian
inspector in the Indian Territory,
who shall execute such duties as
may be required of him, within
the discretion of the secretary.
Another amendment suggested
is, iii substance, as follows: All
interests claimed by the Choctaws
and Chickasaws in the "leased dis
trict" shall be determined by final
judgment in a suit now pending in
the court of claims, between these
two nations and the United States
and the Wichitas, wherein the
same question is involved. These
amendments are of course,
conditioned on the action of
the senate. 1t may pass the
Curtis bill, without reference to
the treaties, but if the treaties are
taken up for the purpose of recon-
sideratiOn and resubmission, in
place of the Curtis bill amendments
as above indicated will be present
ed and passed.
***
Senator Quay's amendment pro-
viding for the Seminole indemnity
has been agreed to by the senate
and is now a part of the sundry
civil appropriation bill. 1t is as
follows: ITO enable the secretary
of the interior, in pursuance of
article Is of the Seminole treaty
proclaimed August 2Sth, 1856, TO
cause an examination and investi-
CATION to be made of the outrages
and injuries alleged to have been
perpetrated on individual Indians
belonging to the Seminole tribe by
an armed mos or band of lawless
persons who invaded the Seminole
country during the months of De-
cember, 1897, and January, 1898,
and, if upon examination and in
vestiga,ion, it shall appear that the
outrages and injuries have been so
perpetrated, to adjudicate and pay
TO the Indian or Indians, or their
legal heirs or representatives,, as
guaranteed by said treaty, such
sum or sums as he may deem Just
and reasonable, $4,000 TO be i'm
mediately available"
| have called upon and discussed
the matter with Governor Brown
of the Seminoles, who is here. He
expressed qualification at the
prompt action of the senate. He
said: "This is certainly a very
reasonable amount, and | hope to
see it become a law at an early
day. Under our treaty with thu
United States, we are guaranteed
indemnity from violence, both al
tribe and individuals, and this &C
tion is merely recognition of g
plain treaty right"
*&*
A unique amendment has beeI
printed, and will be offered to th,
sundry civil appropriation bill a
the proper time. 1t provides il
substance: That hereafter no wit
ness fees or mileage shall be paiC
to any Indian where he is calleC
TO testify against anyone from
whom be has bought Intoxicating
beverages, sold in violation of law
that such Indians shall be com
PEELED to attend and testify, bu
shall be taken in custody by tn
marshal, and allowed only thei
actual expenses OF subsistenc
while in such custody.
***
A communication has been trans
mitted to the appropriation com
mittee asking an additional appro
priation to pay certain expenses o
Henry Stroup and II. Wv. Smith
employees OF the Dawes commits
sion.
***
Captain McKennon, of tn
Dawes commission, has gone t
| MnSknnae The haadnnarfarS nf III