The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1899-11-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
ITEMS OF ESPECIAL INTEREST To
TERRITORY PEOPLE.
Proposed Change Ia Territorial Govern.
ment-Dswea commissIoa q Dlaturb-
lac EIemeat-Some ckaraes and
lnvestiaaeions.
Special to the Ardmoreite.

Special to the Ardmoreite.
Washington, Nov. 6.-There is
a plan in contemplation providing
for the complete Reorganization of
oficialdom in the Indian Territory.
And from present indications the
next year will witness the complete
abolition of the Danes commits
sion. the abandonment of the Indian
Territory division 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 Governor of the Indian
Territory" and who is acting as
the confidential agent of the secre-
tary of the interior. To take. the
place of all these officials a civil
governor will be appointed with
territorial officers, whose decisions
in regard to territorial affairs will
be final. Such in brief is the plan
now being 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
to limited degree.
In recent years. particularly
since the passage of the Curtis law.
there has been so much complaint
about the arbitrary action of the
Dawes commission. and so many
charges preferred that prominent
members of the committees on
Indian Affairs of the house and
senate, have become satisfied that
a complete revision of the govern
mental machinery in the territory
has become absolutely necessary.
Already Chairman Sherman, of
the house committee on Indian af-
fairs, has practically completed
preliminary arrangements for an
early meeting of that committee
coon after the converting of con-
gNss. Officials of the department
and Indian office have been noti-
fed that they will be expected to
appear before the committee and
give suggestions for the benefit of
the committee in the preparation
of such legislation as they may
deem proper.
1t has been contended that the
Indians have not received fair treat
ment from the government officials
both in the territory and at Wash
ington. In fact few officials. inIthe
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, aud brought by ire
sponsibIe parties who had failed to
secure favers from the men in ques-
ton. Special Agent Wright, Mr..
Zeberley, Mr.. Fray and a few 9TH
ers are about all that have been ex-
empt from these attacks. The
Dawes commission has been the
special subject of criticism, and
while it is not believed that the
graver charges preferred against
them have any foundation, it is
believed that re-adjustment of
affairs would be beneficial at this
time. It is contended that cases
which are passed upon by the Off
cials of the territory, who are on
the ground and who are familiar
with the conditions existing, are
appealed to the interior department
to be passed upon by officials who
are more or less ignorant of the
law in the case and who have no
personal knowledge of affairs as
they exist. Many of the Indians
are ignorant, and acting upon bad
advice fail to get their cases before
the commission and the department
in proper manner and thereby
jeopardize their rights. 1t is there
fore believed that the appointment
of governor with absolute juris-
diction, 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 methods now
in vogue.
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