Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1898-03-17
THE FIVE TRIBES
IN CONGRESS.
INTEREST GROWING AT THE Ma
TIONAL CAPITAL.
A Delegate Proposed for this Country
Curtis Bill Nay be OverhauIed-
A Bill to Organize the Indian Terri
tory Militia.
Copyright 1881

81 mar 10 Inal one, Win such
notifications as are rendered nee.
eSsary by the changes that have
taken place since that time. Th,
bill provides in substance:
That the Indian Territory shall
elect a delegate to the house OF
representatives, who shall be en-
titled to the same rights, privil
eges and emoluments az are now
exercised by delegates from the
several other territories of the
United States; that the first cleo
tion for such delegate shall be held
at the next general federal election;
that the voting precincts shall be
at the places now designated for
holding commissioners courts;
that the United States Judge for
each district shall appoint an
election board for each precinct,
composed of three judges and two
clerks, not more than three of
whom shall be of the same politi-
cal party; that the marshal in each
district shall, by proclamation,
give sixty days"notice of the time
and place of such election; that all
citizens of the United States over
twenty-one years old, and all per-
sons OF foreign birth who shall
have, six months prior to said
election, declared their intention
to become citizens of the United
States, ard who shall have been
actual residents of said territory
six months, shall be entitled to
vote; that the election returns
shall be made to the clerk of the
United States court in each dis
trict thirty days from day of elec-
ton, who shall Immediately re-
port to the clerk of the court
of appeals for the Indian
Territory, and to the person hav-
ing the greatest number of votes, a
certificate Of the presiding Judge
OF the court of appeals shall be
given.
The bill comes as a surprise and
no clear estimate of its probable
fate can be made at this time.
Immediately after its introduction
| called on a number OF those most
prominent in Indian Territory
legislation, and asked them what
they thought of the bill. Their
replies vary considerably and are
as follows:
Mr.. Curtis. Il think we ought
to pass the Curtis bill first. | am
not in favor of considering any |
other measures until that has |
been disposed Of"
Senator Jones. "The bill ought
TO pass. The people in that coun.
-ry ought to have a delegate in
The fact that that
is not regularly organized
.erritory should not deprive
hese people of representative in
congress. There are many reas-
ms why the bill should pass, and
lone against it,
Senator Pettigrew. q had not
leard of the bill. | have never
onsidered the question, and with
ut an investigation | am not will
ng to say what | would do if re.
.uired to vote on it. | am not at
II opposed to the idea. | am in
avor of wiping out all the Indian
overnments and replacing them
nth territorial form of govern
1ent at once. Until this is done,
hardly think the people of that
Ountry will be given a representa- /!
ion in congress.
Judge Little. the author of the |
i'll said. 81 introduced the bill
ecause it is right and ought to
ass. As to whether or not it Will {
yer get out of the committee | ,
lnnot say. shall do all | can to :
ress it. | am frank to say the {
atlook is not at al encouraging. !
introduced a similar bill in the
'rd congress. This one is practi-
lily the same bill. Our govern
lent, if anything, is representa- D
We one. There are nearly half
illion people in that country, with
} one TO represent them. That C
wrong. They are entitled to il
presentation, without reference c
the organization or disorganiza- e
On of the country" I,
*** b
Consideration of the Curtis bill II
the house is expected Monday, n
e 21st. Before that time it can n
It be reached, except no one OBJ h
cts, and legislation is seldom Sc il
red by so easy a route. All e;
1ng it has been felt that the bill
Duld pass; that has been the gen ii
al idea. There is still no doubt
at it will pass, but it may be in ii
orm and manner surprising to al
Dse who have closely watched h,
yelopments, and confusing to a
1se who have made legislative W
er
What | would say is: The treat
are by no means dead. The al
st few days have witnessed their In
'ival, and it is now suggested "a
Il the senate will pass the bill in
the alternative form, giving rv
Indians another opportunity at
the adoption of the treaties. an
neral Porter and Rolly McIn- ua
h of the Greeks; n. B. Aims an
rth and Capt Standley of the
octaws, and a delegation from for
Cbickasaws are here. and at fo,
proper time they will make a fn
ted and determined effort TO fir,
ng about the result as indicated sn,
we. This | know to be true. DIV
| know further that certain IN
oUs have tronln5ral - = Il