The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1899-11-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.
JUDGE SPRINGER TO BE ATTOR-
NEY FOR CnEROKEES.
Complaints AGalast Dawes Commission
Likely TO Bear Fruit-The Mineral
Lease Question Co BE Discuss
ed-Other Newsy Notes.
Special to the Ardmoreite.

Special to the Ardmoreite.
Washington, D. c., Nov. 21.-Judge
William M. Springer of the northern
district Of the Indian Territory has
been in Washington during the past
few days making arrangements for q
permanent residence in this city
after the expiration of his term on
the bench. His term will expire Dec.
IL, when Joseph A. Gill of Kansas
will be appointed as his successor.
Last Tuesday he called at the White
House and paid his respects to the
president, accompanied by his son,
who is in the army. He informed the
president that things were progress
ing satisfactorily in the Territory and
that he expected to make Washing
ton his future home. 1t is understood
that Judge Springer is to represent
the Cherokee tribe of Indians before
congress and in the departments, at
a ealary of $40, 600 per annum.
~
The report of the Dawes commits
sion on the complaints filed at the
department the latter part of last
month against the course which the
commission has pursued in refusing
to hear many cases of applicants for
citizenship, and refusing many others
representation by counsel at the
hearing, has been received at the
department. The commission admit
that in many cases they have refused
to hear applicants because they be-
lieved their cases to be fraudulent,
and in some cases they had excluded
attorneys, which was virtually an
the complaints filed by prominent
citizens of the Indian Territory. The
report was Immediately forwarded to
the Indian office for whatever action
the commissioner might deem proper
to take. After a careful examination
Commissioner Jones prepared let
ter for the signature of the secretary
of the interior directing the commits
sion to not only hear all applicants
who presented themselves before the
commission for citizenship in the va
rious nations, but to accord rights
of representation by counsel. Com
missioner Jones holds that the Dawes
commission cannot pass upon the
merits of an applicant until after
they have heard the testimony In
their cases, and that action as a
court or tribunal to pass upon the
legality of the claimants and their
right to recognition as citizens of the
tribes, they have no right, legally or
morally, to refuse applicants the
right to be heard upon the suspicion
that their claims are fraudulent. In
other words the commissioner holds
that every man, woman and child
who presents case before the COM
mission, has right to be heard, and
if they desire it and can make prop
er arrangements they have perfect
right to be represented by attorneys,
and that in every case the commits
sion must make a record to be for
wardsd to the department for use in
the event of rehearing. In his let
ter Commissioner Jones also directs
that the Dawes commission shall re-
hear all cases of applications for cit
izensaip which they have refused to
hear upon the assumption that they
were fraudulent and that in
every case where the applicant has
been refused representation by coun-
sci they shall also be entitled to q
rehearing, and that records of every
case must be kept for final action by
the department. This letter has moi
yet been approved by the secretary
of the interior, but the probabilities
are that it will be within a reason.
ably short time, as it is understood
that the secretary thoroughly agrees
with Commissioner Jones in his
views as to the taking of testimony
the right of individual claimants tc
be heard and records to. be made O.
their cases before the Dawes com
mission.
| The Dawes commission, however
are bitterly opposing such a course
and have written the secretary letter.
in which they depict in glowing Ian
gusge the improperly of pursuing
such a course, and urging the secre
tary to sustain them in their conten
tions.
-.
Special Agent Wright is expecte,
to reach Washington on the 22nd, O
as to be present at the final hearin
before the secretary of the interio
and commissioner Of Indian affairs
on the approval of oil leases in tn
Cherokee nation. The long standin