Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-11-23
FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES.
Report of indian inspector wright Gives
the Status OF Each NatIon-BuIlding
of Penitentiary Urged.

the Status OF Each NatIon-BuIldinE
OF Penitentiary Urged.
Washington, Nov. 1e-Advance copies
of the report of Indian inspector for
the Indian territory, ]. George Wright.
have been given te the press The re-
port is dated August 10, 1899. In q
general review of the status of the
work performed under existing laws in
each nation, the inspector says:
There are, according to a census
completed by the commission to the
five civilized tribes, 2, s25 Seminole In
dams. who have 500, 600 acres within
the limits of their territory. By pro-
vision of recent agreement this land is
to be divided equally among all, after
appraisal excepting lands reserved for
schools, churches and other purposes;
also one acre in each township. which
may be purchased by the United States
for schools for non-citizens. Their
tribal government continues as hereto
fore, acts of their council not requiring
executive action, and the United States
courts are given jurisdiction in certain
matters.
''The census of the citizens of these
nations has not yet been completed by
the commission to the five tribes, but
the estimated population is 10, 400 Choc-
taws and 9, 04S Chickasaws, their coun-
try all together comprising about H.
33s, 955 acres. Under provisions of an
agreement ratified by congress and
adopted by those people in August,
| 1898, their lands are to be appraised
| and allotted equally among all, with
certain reservation for schools, town
| sites and other purposes.
A nd Io1f Sc leo nd
from allotment to remain and be the
common property of the tribe, mines
to be under supervision and control of
two trustees who are Indians by blood
and who shall act under instructions
from the secretary of the interior, all
mines to be operated and royalties to
| be paid into the treasury of the United
| States and used, under rules and regu-
lations of the secretary of the interior,
for education of children of Indian
blood.
'The census of the Cherokees has
not yet been made by the commission
of the five tribes, but it is estimated
that there are "a, 461 citizens, and their
territory embraces about 5,O31, 531
acres; while the Creeks mum Der IA, I'll
| citizens, according to enrolment, COM
pleted by the commission, and have 3d.
04O, 900 acres within their domain.
''These nations having failed to en-
ter into an agreement with the repre-
sentatives of the United States govern
ment yet ratified by congress with ref
erence to division of their property,
the act of congress approved June %,
1898, is in force, and which provides
that their lands shall be equally allot-
ted to citizens of the respective tribes
|
schools, etc, providing for leasing of
mineral lands for a term of Is years un-
der regulations of the secretary of the
interior, and prohibiting, under pen
atty, any citizen hereafter holding
more than his pro rata share of the
lands of the tribe"
Under the head of ssPenitentiary. {"
the inspector complies statement of
the mum her of persons sent to various
penitentiaries in the states, for one
year, as follows:
From the Southern district, 108 prisoners, at
| a cost to the government for transportation of
| 81, 3371S From the Central district 1873 prison
| ers, costing the government for transportation
| SS,374O8 From the Northern district 403 pris-
oners, but the cost to the government for their
transportation could not be obtained. In view
of this cost of transportation and the advisable
| 1ty OF establishing a government pen1tent1ary
in the Indian territory, a statement is appended
from the various United States judges, in reply
to inquiries upon the subject 1t is recon-
mended by Judges Clayton. Springer and Town
send. The inspector strongly recommends the
establishment of the proposed penitentiary as
| well as army post.
| The inspector concurS in the recommendation
| OF the superintendent of schools for the Indian
| territory that certain changes be made in the
| management OF the schools, and advises that
| all schools be placed under the supervision of
| the interior department.
| Also the establishment of insane asylum.
Reports from different officials of the five tribes
show there are considerable number of insane
persons (nineteen citizens and two non-citizens
being reported as within the limits of the Chero-
l1ee nation) for which provision is made in
| any other nation, except the Cherokee nation,
| where national system is maintained.
| Some legislation is desired concerning the
laying out and working of public roads. Under
| the present system of allotting there appears to
| be no provision made for such, and much COM
| plant has been and is repeatedly being made to
| this Office that citizens selecting allotments
fence up existing roads, thereby seriously in
conveniencing the travelling public and the
carrying of the mail
To Push the Canal
Washington, Nov. 16.-Congressman
Hepburn, of Iowa, who is chairman OF