New-York tribune., 1900-11-11

States toward their government and that the
WHY halfbloods who at that time had control OF
the affairs Of the Indian government, We're using
every means To thwart the purposes of the
commissioners, all of which was true. Congress
replied to this appeal by delving into the
trcat"S with the Indians and there finding a
clause whereby il could deprive the Indian
courts OF their jurisdiction whenever il saw fit
certainly now was the Opportune time, and the
act was forthwith passed. The Indians squrmed
ana the fullbloods threatened TO rise. Some
OF the old fullbloOd Judges refused to quit their
DcnCheS. but finally they learned il was of no
use To- Kick; the act would be carried out. Other
urastc measures were suggested by the Com
mission, and the Indians began to maxi. over
lures. Little by little they were persuaded to
the steps which have led to the abnlishment of
the tribal rule Though comprehending fully that
the cnange would accrue greatly to their indi-
Vldual advantage the Indians held tenaciousy
TO the traditions of the tribes and surrendered
them only when they saw that the new move
ment was inevitable.
WEALTH FOR THE INDIANS
When the division is made those who have
Fought so hard and so loudly against it will be
probably the richest saVages in the world The
country which will be parcelled out among them
Is larger than the State of South Carolina, and
or great beauty and variety. Most of the soil is
very fertile. The water supply is ample \ belt
OF splendid oak forest, thirty miles in width
runs through the territory and many other
valuable woods are found there. Rich pasture
lands afford fat grazing for thousands of sheep
and cattle Two million dollars worth of coal
was taken out of Indian Territory last year
1t is estimated that the products of the soil
TOT the year 1879 amounted to $OUUU,thD. Be
sides these things petroleum in large quantities
Is known to lie beneath the soil, and valuable
veins OF lead and zinc are indicated by rich
outcroppinSs which have never been mined A
fine climate and beautiful scenery make this
country one of the garden spots nf the Nation
All this goes to about 5000 Indians, 1855 =
o36 acres being divided about equally among
freedmen (negrocs whose ancestors were OF who
have head rights in the different nations fol-
lows: Cherokee freedmen, 1000 Chcruke,S.
10000; Delawares having had rights in Ch"ro-
kee nation 1000; Greeks. 10000; Creek freed
men. 5000; Choctaws. 1GWU: Choctaw freed
men, 5000, ChickaStWS. 1.OuD: Chickasaw freed
men. 5000: Semino-s. 1000. The Chrrokers
have invested or loaned 10 the United States
$2EsJOO0. The Creeks have S2m0MD thus
loaned. the ChickasawS 81 ,3tSND the Choc-
taws $IiG,00o and the Seminolcs $l3UU.Un.
1t Is estimated by Tans liXhy, chairman of the
Commission To the Five Tribes. that each Chcro-
kee citizen viii get l2o acres OF land az average
value as his allotment. the Greeks will get he
tween 100 and 3D acres. tE- Scrniuui,s about
100 the chi kasaWs and ChoctaWs about 5oD
acres each. Besides this land they viii get
equal shares Of the invested funds. which are to
b" paid :" them Just soor they have all
selected their allotments.
RESULT OF THIS ENRICHMENT.
What will become Of these Indians. thus sud
denly enriched? In the opinion of those who
know them best the outlook for them Is not
hopeful Conditions at present are In a chaotic
state. and II does not seem likely that living
conditions will improve when the Indians own
tn. territory. Towns with population of five
thousand or six thousand people have no side
walks At all and no roads worthy OF the nam"
After a heavy rain business Is practically sus-
pended. The buildings Of the fiimsieSt char
a, t.r In the farming districts the Indians will
NOT Improve their farms because they have no
positive aSsuranr where they can take up their
uIln'Ul.n nts. Few Of the fullhloods send their
children to school AT present the whites. #
So il ~. there are 100000 in the Territory, have
rt"ctI,uly no rights They cannot own land
AND irf'r to recent decision they have not
. allowed houses Ir = g. Of