Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-31
Appeal for Admission Of Indian Ter
ritory to Statehood.
VISIT OF GOVERNORS 10 WASHINGTON
Important Matters Brought to At
tention Of Interior Department
INDIAN PROGRESS
NOTED


returned home after an extended visit to
Washington. They went to the capital to
try to convince the Secretary Of the In
terror that they were being treated unjustly
by some Of the officials of the government,
and to get the consent of the Secretary to
send delegation, composed of four Chero-
KEGS and five Creeks, to Washington to go
over the several subjects in DISPUTE be-
tween the department and the two tribes
mentioned, in order to smooth away all
misunderstanding and pave the way for
the admission of the Indian territory into
the family of states
Secretary Hitchcock, both governors said,
consented to the appointment of the delega-
ton as requested. and Gov. Porter told The
Star correspondent that he would name as
the members of the delegation on the part
of the Creeks five of the best known and
ablest men In the nation-Messrs. George A.
A Alexander. David M. Hodge, A. P. Nc
kellip. Roderick Mcintosh and Isparheckar,
a former chief of the tribe. Gov. Bufing-
ton said he has not yet considered the
names Of his probable appointees.
In an interview Gov. Porter stated the
status or the troubles between the govern
mont and themselves to be as follows:
1T mas now become a recognized fact by
all who have given the subject serious
thought, and especially those who are most
aHected by the present conditions existing
IN the Indian territory, that the legislation
~ NcASASSS piopoSlLS 10 6StdDuSU OrQeT
ana give security to property interests has
been inadequate, and rendered more diff
cult the VeXed problem Of transition from
local Indian tribal governments with land
IN common to each tribe to the unification
OF government into statehood and lands in
severalty to the individual Indian citizens.
Government Gave Notice.
ITO accomplish this end the government
of the United States very properly began
by giving notice to the Indian nations that
the existing conditions in the Indian terri
tory were unsatisfactory and could not be
maintained longer without serious jeopardy
to the property interests of the Indians,
and the maintenance of good government
and order within the adjacent states and,
further, that the commercial intercourse be-
tween the states made it necessary that
the conditions be so changed as to meet
the growing business demands Of the west
ern country. The government proposed by
making treaties with the Indians to pro-
vide for the changes necessary.
This method proving to be too slow to
satisfy the government, tentative legisla-
ton was resorted to to convince the Indian
nations that the governments purpose was
not to be thwarted and could not be longer
delayed. The legislation thus far has not
been well digested or thought out and does
not meet the conditions. Now that the In
dian nations, as well as all other interests
affected, have arrived at the conclusion that
the changes desired by the government have
become an absolute necessity they should
be met in a fair and straightforward man
ner.
Problem to Solve.
THE question presents itself. what should
be done? The plan now most feasible, it
appears to me, so far as it affects the
Creek people, would be the Encouragement
OF the treaty of February /, 1899, SO as to
harmonic it with the principles of settle
ment embraced in the former agreement
of September II, 1897, which gives to each
citizen equal share in their landed prop
erty and other interests, and deals with
the town site question in such manner
as to recognize the equities of all persons
at interest, giving to the nation full valua-
ton for the ownership of the land, together
with part Of the accredited value added
by the improvements placed thereon, and
permitting those who had made improve
ments on town lots. the first right of pur-
chase of the land upon which they had
been made or purchasing from those bav-
ing the right of occupancy at a reasonable
valuation, which would give to them a part
OF the accredited value on account of the
improvements.
I'm the act of Congress commonly called
the Curtis act, in the treatment of the town
site problem, it has proved entirely unsatis
factory, and seems clearly to add confusion
to the already perplexing problem as to
what would be the just solution OF the town
site matter.
However, the surveying and plating of
towns has been begun under the provision
of the Curtis act, and should it be proceeded
with and valuation of town lots be made
under its provisions within limited period
of time. payments would have to begin, ac-
cording to the terms of the act while an
agreement covering the whole method and
process of arranging the town site question
was pending before Congress, and should
payment be completed under the Curtis act
for town property, there is no certainty
that title ever. would issue. This would
in towns
factory and much retard their normal
growth.
Only Proper Method.
The method by agreement is the only
proper method, and can now be secured
with no great delay should the general gov
eminent act with promptness in the mat
ter. Our people are prepared to make
final adjustment of this question, together
with all their property interests, at as early
date as practicable and having once de-
cided to do so 1t Is their wish that it be
completed, and settled state of landed in
terests be established, with sufficient law
full security in the maintenance of their
rights to the same. 1t will not be neces-
sary to place them under any harsh or rigid
instructions that are not applied to owners
of landed property elsewhere, and in the
division Of their property all equities grow
ing out Of their customs and laws should
be respected and provided for.
Again, in respect to those whom they
consider as citizens and participants in their
landed interests, their wishes in the matter
should be respected. In other words, they
should be permitted to determine who their
citizens are, in accordance with their Gus
toms and laws. H. e
"a measure meeting the present condi-
lions and looking to the 5unification of all
interests in the Indian territory could be
then framed soon as their interests
could be harmonized, with those of the ad-
jacent nations Of the territory. Any great
haste in this matter would subject the gov
eminent to blunders and error which would
be difficult to remedy 1t Is of the utmost
Importance that no mistake shall be made
in this period of transition, and 1t is i'm
portant to the security and preservation of
the Indian people that they be not divested
entirely of exercising some limited measure
Of government until the Establishment of a
well-organized system embracing and pro
tecting all persons and property interests"
Matter OF Statehood.
Both Governors Porter And Burlington ex-
pressed the opinion that If Congress would
take up the questions now before them at
fecting their tribe the proposed new state
could be admitted into the Union in two
or three years, but without the display of
energy on the part Of the law-making body
o;obt r,r fen Years will. thew said elanSa