Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-11-09
INTO A REAL TERRITORY,
Dawest Commission and 9th
er Officials to be Let Out.

LallOn Vi 0IlCEaluOu III 1uuidu AOA-
ritory. And from present indica-
tiops the next year will witness
the complete abolition of the
Dawes commission; the abandon
ment of the Indian Territory di-
vision in the interior department;
the repeal of the act authorizing
the appointment of Special Agent
Wright, who has been known in
recent years by the title of Gov
ernor of the Indian Territory. ="
and who is acting as the conhden-
tial agent of the secretary of the
interior. To take the place Of all
these officials a civil governor will
be appointed with territorial Of
ficers, whose decisions in regard to
territorial affairs will be final.
Snch in brief is the plan now be-
ing considered by members of the
committees on Indian affairs in
the house and senate, and which
has met with the approval of Com
missioner of Indian Affairs Jones
10 a limited degree.
In recent years, particularly
since the passage Of the Curtis
law, there has been so much COM
plant and so many charges pre-
ferred that prominent members OF
the committees on Indian affairs
of the house and senate, have be-
come satisfied that a complete re-
vision of the governmental ma
chinery in the territory has become
absolutely necessary.
Already Chairman Sherman, OF
the house committee on Indian
sffairs, has practically completed
arrangements for an early meeting
of that committee soon after the
convening Of congress. Officials
of the department and Indian Of
fee have been notified that they
will be expected to appear before
the committee and give suggest
ions for the benefit Of the commit
tee in the preparation of such leg
islation as they may deem proper.
1t has been contended that the
Indians have not received fair
treatment from the government
officials both in the territory and
at Washington. In fact few off,
cials in the territory have been
exempt from charges more or less
grave in their nature; many OF
these charges have been proven
to be wholly without foundation,
and brought by irresponsible par
ties who had failed to secure fav-
ors from the men in question.
Special Agent Wright, Mr., Zeve-
ly, Mr.. Pray, and a few others
are about all that have been ex-
empt from the attacks. The
Dawes commission has been the
special subject of criticism, and
while it is not believed that any
of the charges preferred against
them have any foundation, it is
believed that a readjustment OF
affairs would be beneficial at this
time. 1t is contendcd- that cases
which are passed upon by the
officials of the territory who are
on the ground and who are famil-
lar with the conditions existing,
are appealed to the interior Ge-
partment to be passed upon by
officials who are more or less ig-
norant of the law in the case and
who have no personal knowledge
of affairs as they exist. Many OF
the Indians are ignorant, and act
ing upon bad advice fail to get
their cases before the commission
and the department in proper
manner and thereby jeopardize
their rights. 1t is, therefore, be-
lieved that the appointment of q
governor with absolute jurisdic-
ion, who would be accountable
only to the president and who
could be on the ground constantly
would be more likely to mete out
Justice to the individual Indians
than they are at the present time
receiving under the method now
in vogue.
The appointment of governor
would necessitate the establish
ment of a territorial form of gov
ernment and the creation of terri
torial officers, consisting of a sec
retary of state, an attorney gener-
al, a treasurer and other minor
positions.
Of course, this plan will be sub
ject to many changes and altera-
tions before it is embodied into a
bill, but there is no doubt but
that when it is submitted to con-
gress it will contain many OF the
Washington Cores
pondent to Muskogee Times.