The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-01-11
VAR ON INDIAN TRIBAL TAKES.
AGITATION TO BE PUSHED IN BOTH
HOUSES OF CONGRESS.
COnGrs ssmsn tIttIs of Arkansas States
FOrcibIy the Reasons Why These Ex-
actions by the IndIsas In the Ter
rItory Should Be Abolished.

The agitation at Washington, over
the privilege taxes levied by the tri-
bal government in the Indian Ter
ritory still continues and if the pro-
posed legislation to abolish them is
defeated it will only be after a Wig
orous fight in the house and senate.
The opponents of these taxes are
very determined, and are confident
of their ability to convince congress
of the iniquity of such i.npositions.
| Congressman Little of Arkansas is
leading the fight in the house against
these tribal taxes. Mr.. Little recently
stated fully the reasons which are
influencing his action on this matter.
He said
The bin introduced by myself only
seeks to abolish certain permit and
privilege taxes which are sought to
be imposed by the five tribes or ma
tions of Indians against those not
members of the tribes. These laws
should nave no place in the Indian
Territory. These are not reservation
Indians, under the charge and con-
troll of the secretary of the interior,
as is the case with the smaller bands
of blanket and semi civilized Indians
in other sections of the country.
There ere only about 10000 Indians
all told in this territory. There are
about 100000 white people and non
citizens living there. Towns and
cities are numerous. They are held
and owned by the white people and
non citizens. In these towns and
cities the holdings of the non-citizens
have been recognized by congress,
and the non-citizen is under the law
required to pay to the tribes just
compensation for these lands. These
cities and towns have been author
lied by congress to incorporate and
establish municipal governments,
also to establish and maintain free
schools within such municipalities.
These governments and free schools
must be supported by taxes levied
against persons and property within
the municipality.
"They receive no aid from the In
dian nation in any way. Take South
McAlester, Choctew nation, as an
illustration. A city of 5000 inhabi-
tants, nearly all not Indians. They
must, by taxing themselves, support
the city government, maintain all
the utilities they enjoy and maintain
free common schools for the educa-
ton of the children. Now, in addi-
tion to this burden, why should
merchant pay a tax to the Indians on
his merchandise, the lawer, the doc
/ tor, the laborer or those employing
/ labor, a tax for these privileges,
when their rights and status there
have been ssttled by congressional
action? Take the coal mines. Thous-
Rnds of laborers are engaged in coal
mining in the Indian Territory. Yet,
these laborers are, through their en-
ployers, required to pay tax for
the privilege of working. And at
the same time the operators pay a
high royalty to the tribes On every
bushel Of coal mined. The Indians
should have all the rents, royalties,
etc., accruing to them from their
property, but their rights extend no
further. The non-citizen must look
to the federal courts and officers for
protection, must support their own
town governments and educate their
own children without any benefits
accruing to them from the Indian
tribes for which they are not requir-
ed to make any compensation.
"These permit or privilege taxes
sought to be imposed have been the
source of much friction in that coun
try, and great annoyance to the peo
pie. A man may be, under the rules
enforced by the Indian office, seizec
and forcibly elected from his owT
house and put out of the Territory
. without a day in court. If they car
levy a permit tax of s5, there is nc
: limit to the amount that may b'
: levied, and, worst of all, arbitrarily
collected.
"These impositions have no bash
in justice or right. They are arbi
trary and oppressive, and should b.
abolished. If the man who is not
member of these tribes violates tn
. laws of the land he is punished b,
the federal courts without expens
to the tribes. If he pays to the tribe
Just compensation for the propert
/ acquired or used by him, he has don
| all that good citizen should be re
: quired to do, and to require more !
oppressive.
An aching back. a disordered di
e gestion, changes in the urine, head
aches, nervous weakness, all poin
;. to Bright's Disease. Take steps +