The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-02-06

SITUATION DclOIO 10 a CbANJ
The magnitude of interests to be
passed upon, the last century halo
of romance that, in the very nature OF
things, hovers about everything per-
tanning to the Indian whether he be
r. the Powhattan, Black Hawk, or
up-to-date 18th century, Intelligent,
progressive General Porter variety, |
lends additional point and interest |
to the discussion of the Indian Ter /
ritory problem. To those who con-
slider the questions presented for the
sake of study, it is fascinating and |
Instructive; to those in the two
houses of congress who delve into
the mysterious depths and intricacies
OF treaties. Indian laws, and the
sacred obligations of the govern
ment toward its helpless wards, that
they may get the light necessary to
direct them to a fair and just settle
ment of the thousands of conflicting
interests and conditions that have
sprung up in this young land of the
west-anOmalous, yet mysteriously
progressive and full of the spirit of
true eAmericanism-the qIestion pre-
senus peculiar fascination, equalled
by few of the great questions now
before the nations congress; but to
those whose life earnings are now in
the balance, and who look to con-
gress with all the eagerness of
mariner scanning the heavens, for a
gracious indication of what disposi
ton will be made of their all for the
present, and to what extent they will
be hidden to take hope for the fu-
ture, it is exasperating in the ex
treme, not to say trul. pathetic.
To those not familiar with the pro-
cedure here it is probably not known
just what feats of diplomacy, strokes
of policy and coup d. etat of intel
lecUual generalship are accomplished.
the very air about the lobbies of
hostelries and committee rooms
where the Indian Territory people
are wont to congregate is charged
with plots and counterplots, conten-
tions and clashes of interests among
the various delegations, both Indian
and townsite, and wars and rumors
of wars to be waged, by type and
word of mouth, before committee S,
the departments and the two houses
of congress. The Choctaw, Ghicka-
saw and Greek delegations come
with a desire for some provision
looking to the adoption or ratifica-
ton Of their treaties. The Choctaws
and the Chickasaws have their freed
menFto contend with; the Cherokees
have no treaty, but are confronted
with the question of settling their
differences with the Delawares; the
Seminoles come with a treaty, but
are met with the suggestion that they
should await some general laws for
disposing of all questions among the
Five Tribes; the white delegations
from the towns want town organiza-
tions and titles to town property,
both of which propositions are, of
course, opposed by the Indian dele
cations; representatives of those
who have been refused citizenship
are besieging congress for additional
opp )rtunities to establish their
rights.
Thus it will be seen that there is
work to do. Congressman and Sc n
ators are human, and are subject to
human frailties and weaknesses, and
errors of judgment To strike the
keynote of solution, and recast the
various conditions and interests in
the Indian Territory will require a
foresight approaching well nigh unto
an inspiration
The status of the Curtis bill has
not changed with this week. 1t is
before the committee on Indian af-
fairs, and will rest there until the
next meeting of the committee
which will be, it is now thought
next Thursday.
The house has spent the greater
part of the week discussing the In
dian appropriation bilf@ 1t passed
that body Friday and has gone to the
senate.
The house passed the Dawes com
mission item without discussion, nj
point being raised. AS the bill nov
stands, after the 3Oth of June next
the commission will be reduced t.
three members.
1t was expected that the presen
lull in Indian legislation would effec
an exodus of Indian Territory peopl
from Washington. On the contrary
the great majority of them will re
main. They are putting in the va
can't period in intrenching them
selves in their several positions
Both Indian and fownsifa d0laOa