The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-04-03
Copyright 1898.

lAOPN ia
War talk and war measures have
right of way, and have interviewed TO
postpone consideration of all mes s
ures and matters of minor impor-
tance. The whole week has been de-
voted to the appropriation bills,
measures for the relief of the sur
vivors of the Maine disaster, meas
ures for the equipment of the army,
navy and coast defenses.
The Curtis bill is exactly where it
was at the writing of my last COM
munication. Their only explanation
is: 1t has not been reached. 1t has
however, by no means been lost sight
of. Those directly behind 1t, not
withstanding their interest in pend
ing matters of national and inter
national import, are on the alert, and
watching at every turn, hoping TO
rush in and secure its passage, dur
ing lull in the general storm of ex-
citement that prevails.
In this they may or may not sue
ceed during the coming week. II is
understood that when the pending
naval appropriation bill is disposed
of, there will be regular order, :"
which means call of the committe, 5,
in which event the desired end could
be attained.
By reason of the present inter
national complications l would say
to the people of the Indian Territory
that nothing can be foretold with
any degree of certainty, and this ap-
plies to the Curtis bill. Should the
house settle back to its. normal
temper and condition it's early pas
sage would be assured.
The Indian appropriation bill. with
its many amendments of vital impor-
tance TO the people of the Indian
Territory occupies exactly the same
attitude toward international matters
that now claim the attention of con
gress.
AS stated in communications of the
pqst two weeks, it is in conference.
The conferees of both houses and
senate have been appointed, and
nothing remains to be done but to
get together and settle the disagree
ment of the two houses. AS it is, the
meetings of the committee have been
postponed from time to time, at the
suggestion of the members on the
part of the senate, on account Of
their disinclination to enter actively
upon the consideration of minor
matters at this time.
1t is now suggested that they viii
hold their first meeting early mex
week.
The report of the house Indian af
fairs committee on the "Omnibut
Claims Bill'' has been presented anC
the bill placed on the house calen
dar.
The report was written by Mr.. Lit
tie, upon instructions from the com
mittee, and amends the bill as i
passed the senate by adding tht
claims of the Delawares for money
due them from the United States
under treaty of 1854; the claims o
the Peorias for lands and money
due them under treaties of 1864 ant
1857; the claim of the Seminoles TO
arrears of interest due from tht
United States, and the claims of thi
loyal Creeks and Seminoles for prop
erty destroyed during the war.
The section of the senate bill au
thorizing the intermsrried whites o
the Chickasaw, Choctaw and Chero
kee nations, is amended by adding
the following:
Provided that nothing hereil
shall impair. or disturb any right
acquired by such persons, acquire,
by virtue of the findings of the com
mission to the Eve civilized tribe
or the United States courts in tn
. Indian Territory, under jurisdiction
conferred by act of congress of Jun
10th, 1885,
The last section is also amende
by providing that the decisions G
the court of claims shall be final.
In discussing the necessity of dis
posing of these many claims an
contentious by reference to tn
col is, the report says:
"Your committee are of the opir
ion that the several questions sough
to be transferred to the court {
claims for adjudication are of ths
character that can be settled wit
more satisfaction in a court, upo
judicial investigation, than in les
islative body; involving as they de-
intricate and complicated question
of law and of fact. The
are questions of long standing an
have been the fruitful source {