The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-06-06
INDIAN TtQplTOpr rtkSult5
LEGISLATION ON CERTAIN BILLS
RUSHED WITH DISPATCH.
A Dozen Cong essmeR Tackle the Chero-
kee Treeey and Pass the Biii-Klowa
and Comanche Lands-Appro'
prIatIon Bin Approved.
snecial to the Ardmoreite.

Washington, June 4.-The wheels
Of legislation have been revolving at
4 terrific rate during the past week.
Indian Territory measures. which
have been lying dormant in the
and on the calendars OF
the senate and house. have been
given new life and yigor. Many of
them have been started through the
legislative hopper toward the white
house. They are being pursued by
a small army of determined men,
some of whom are high in the coun-
ellis of the party. Whether they
will reach the goal and receive execu-
tive approval, before congress ad-
iourns is yet problematical, but the
authors and friends of the various
propositions are rushing them with
remarkable rapidity along the legis-
lative line.
M
The most remarkable performance
vet witnessed was in the passage by
the house of the Cherokee and
Creek treaties. Within a week after
these two measures had been report
ed from the Indian committee of the
house, special order was agreed to
by which they were taken up and
considered at special session last
Friday night. When the hour ar
rived not more than twenty of the
376 members of the house were pres
ent. Indeed, on vote only twelve
members we're in the hall OF the
house, but, nevertheless, these
twelve men transacted business
more expeditiously than could the
entire representation. In less than
one hours time the Greek and Chero-
kee treaties had been read to the
house, amendments offered, debated,
voted upon and the bills engrossed,
read third time and passed.
The principal actors in the drama
which was enacted, were Sherman
OF New York. chairman of the Indian
committee, Curtis, Little and Stew
ems. Mr.. Ridgley of Kansas attempt
ed on several occasions to break
through the committee amendments,
but finally withdrew from the con.
test, and the amendments hereto
fore set forth fully In these dis
patches were agreed to without op-
position.
These treaties now go to the senate
end of the capitol for action. There
seems to be, however, no probability
that they will pass that body, though
no one who was not gifted with di
vine wisdom could safely venture
reasonably accurate prediction as tc
what may occur. Indian Legislation
is usually passed in the last hours oi
the dying session. 1t is then tha
every member is log-rolIing for hi:
own district and constituents. Mea
sures which would ordinarily attrac
opposition are rushed through thu
two branches of congress with cleo
trical dispatch. In fact, many bill
are not even read in the senate ex
cept by title, which increase the pos
sibility of final action on these tw'
measures at this session. There is
however, one apparently insurmount
able obstacle in the way at the pres
ent time, the failure of the Indial
affairs committee in the senate t
act on these treaties.
They have not yet reported fror
the committee and as the last meet
ing has already been held, unless
special one is called, it seems i'm
probable that no reports can be pro
? cured from the committee befor
, adjournment. An effort however,
being made to have Chairman Thurs
ton of the committee call specii
meeting and report the treaties
There is much opposition among tn
members of the committee to thes
agreements, but whether the oppoi
2 ition will go to the extent of defeatln
t ratification at this session, in tn
p event majority of the committe
i, | SQOulu DC III AdNOE VI AdNOLdol
action, is impossible to foretel
; Log-rollingis in progress to such a
e extent that it is possible for the RAJ
f ification of these treaties though, ;
4 already stated, the chances seem
: be strongly against them.
-
The Kiowa and Comanche treatie
> providing for the opening up to se
tlement of the Kiowa and Comancf
Il reservations in Oklahoma Is now
s conference and the probabilities a.
o that an agreement will be reacht
o in time to permit of favorable actiC
q before congress adiours. There
however a stubborn fight, betwet
II the Rock Island railroad on oil
u hand, and the cattlemen on Il
r other. Thus far the Rock Islal
le railroad has the advantage and
n following it up with great. .diligenc
;, ~.
- The Indian appropriation bill viii,
Is passed the house and senate la
lie week has been approved by the pre-
+ ident, this rendering all the appr
priations carried in that measu
available on July first.