Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-04-28

The people of the Indian Terri
tory can fight as the nation fights.
That point has been determined by
the passage of the Hull Hawley
volunteer service bill which was
finally agreed on By the two houses
Saturday, and has been signed by
the president. Under its provis-
ions the president was authorized
to call into service, in time of war,
troops organized in the several
states and territories, under the
direction of the governors. In
conformity TO the bill just passed
the president has called for vol
unteer force of 5000 men, TO be
organized in the several states and
territories and to serve for two
years unless sooner discharged.
As originally drawn the bill
made no provision for the Indian
Territory. Judge Little went at
once to Chairman Hull of the COM
mittee and implored him to give
the people of that country recogni-
ton. Chairman Hull responded
briefly and unreasonably. u
~ here will be more people from
the states who want to enlist than
will be wanted. | cannot consid-
er the amendment you suggest. "
This was new logic, or the mani
festation of no logic at all The
The District of Columbia was rec
ognized by the bill. 1t is special
jurisdiction, and so is the Indian
Territory. 1t has no relation to
the regular state and territory
governments. Neither has the
Indian Territory. The two stand
upon an equal footing as to their
relations with the general govern
ment, and according to the sugges-
tions of the adiutant general of the
war department, should be given
equal privileges for service
in the coming war. This Judge |
Little suggested to Chairman Hull,
but to no avail.
Judge Little said no more, but |
prepared an amendment as follows:
add, after the words District of
Columbia these words: And the
Indian Territory"
Also: "And any company, troop,
regiment or battalion from the In
dian Territory shall be formed and
under such rules as shall
be prescribed by the secretary of
war;"
When the bill came up in the
house for consideration he offered
he foregoing amendments, and
said:
"Mr. Chairman: This country
@ which my amendment applies,
embraces a large territory-as
arge as many of the states OF this
lnion 1t embraces a population
# 400, 600, more than 800, 900 of
vhom are whites and $4,000 In
Iians. | know from communica-
ions received from these people
hat they are anxious to bear their
art of the burdens of this war, if
ne is TO come. * There
J no governor of this territory,
ut according to the amendment il
left to b. organized under such
lies and regulations as the secre-
Try of war may prescribe. | in
st that these people ought to have
opportunity to participate in
lie struggle that is to come. They
'e as brave and courageous as you
i'll find in the states of this union,
Id are loyal to the flag of our
'mmon country. They have no
preventative on this floor to
'eak tor them, but knowing many
these people personally, | bear
eerful testimony to their courage
ID loyalty, and | feel that in this
period in our history
must speak for them; and in
y regiments that may be formed :
that country you will find the ID
lite man and the Indian stand
g side by side, vying with each II
her as to who shall render the III
Ost loyal service to the country nj
d do the highest acts of courage te
the field of battle. Shall they III
denied this privilege? | hope st
t, Mr.. Chairman; and if allowed an
participate in the coming con- sa
It, when the war is over and the th
u OF honor is called you will find W
e troops from the Indian country tx
lnding side by side with the gal th
1t sons of the states of this union. M
t the amendment be adopted gr
d place these people on a foot ou
, of equality with the people of ar
; several states, ard give them ho
s opportunity to add new glory d.
d additional fame to our nation tai
arms, and you will have done wi
lple justice. J" Isl
The amendment was agreed to tn
became a part OF the bill and an
S undersood that 100 men will
called. When the call of the
'sident becomes operative. the bll
r department will accept the re'
vices of volunteers from the In no
n Territory, under the follow pli
provisions of the bill: "All
n received into service in the
unteer army shall, as far as ha
cticable, be taken from the sew :
states and territories, the Dis
t of Columbia and the Indian
'ritory, in proportion to their
u ~