The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-01-02

Although there has been no actual
change in the situation each day 1t
becomes Intensified. ALI seem to be
awaiting impatiently the reassem-
bling of congress-. The committees
have thoroughly organized the var
ious subcommittee and they are
holding weekly informal meetings
for purposes of general discussion,
The Indian territory delegations are
here in considerable numbers, with
others arriving almost every day.
These delegations are here in the
interest of both the Indian and
white, and working both for allot-
ment and townsite legislation, and
the Indian delegations, of course, for
no legislation at all.
The general opinion is that some
thing will be done; that prompt, de-
cisive and vigorous legislation will
be enacted, and that without unnec-
essary delay. Just what that will be,
will be determined by the commit
tees now getting ready for work.
1 l. 0ACSAocAOh 90 w SAN
ways and means of it all, so great
and complicated are the interests to
be dealt with, and SO diverse are the
views entertained by those having it
in charge, but it seems to be gener-
ally conceded that there will be allot-
ment and townsite legislation.
While it is not certain that the
committee bill will be based upon
the Curtis bill, they are giving it
thorough consideration, in the hope
of locating common ground upon
which all the members of the com
mittees can stand on the question of
the extent to which the United
States can go in extinguishing or
modifying the Indian title.
Two questions of title now claim
the attention. of the committee:
First, in the allotment of the land to
the Indians, as to whether they will
allot the mere occupancy now, and
trust to the Indians to clamor for
the whole title. when they see that
the allotment of the occupancy is
inevitable, Or whether they will set
apart the share of each Indian, and
secure to him the fee at once.
The question of townsites is COM
plicated one. The question before
the committee is: HAS congress
the right to set apart the townsites,
sell the lots, giving preference Of
purchase to present occupant, or
shall they be leased for a uniform
ground rental?
The committee seek solution of
this by which it can act fairly and
equitably toward all, and not over
step the constitutional powers of
congress. That it will act to this ex-
tent seems certain; as to just how it
will be done is the problem for which
they now seek solution.
The joint subcommittee composed
of members of the House and Senate
Indian affairs committees, will meet
again next Monday. At the sugges-
tion of the committee, Major Nc
Kennon, of the Dawes Commission,
was wired for, so that the full COM
mission might be with the committee
at its next Monday meeting. While
agreements made with the Indians
by the Dawes commission have all
been rejected, with the exception of
the Seminoles, and the Choctaw part
of the Observation-Disclosures treaty,
the commission is known to have
knowledge of details not possessed
by any member of the committee,
and their recommendations will have
much weight with the committe" in
whatever legislation they decide to
propose. The Seminoles and Choc-
taws having shown a disposition to
treat, it is understood that, to the
extent of the committee to do SO,
they will be given the benefit of the
amicable spirit thus manifested.
The full Cherokee delegation is
now here for the winter. l called on
the delegation at their quarters at
the National and had quite an inter
esting interview with Mr.. Duncan.
In the course of the conversation
Mr.. Duncan said: 1--WE will be here
for the session, or at least as long as
we feel that we will be able to ac-
complish anything for our people.
We of course oppose any course up
on the part of congress, proposing to
modify our governments or interests
In the Indian Territory Our people
are not yot ready for citizenship.
Our children are not educated to that
idea and are not familiar with the
English language and the customs of
the white people. We should at
least be let alone untiI our naonIe ara