The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-01-23
our SPECIAL WASHINGTON LITTER
SOrlE nATTERS OF GENERAL IN
TEREST TO OUR PEOPLE.
Greek Treaty to be Amended-The Old
Question of Property Values In the
Territory Is Again to be Brought
Up-RaIIroad Consolidation.
Special to the Ardmoreite.

past week. Two members of the
commission to the five civilized tribes
with Chairman Dawes and Commits
sioner McKennon, Chief Burlington OF
the Cherokee nation, Governor Por-
ter of the Greek nation and Govern
or Brown OF the Seminole nation,
Agent Schoenfeldt of the Union
Agency, as well as a number of other
prominent citizens have been in
Washington looking after various
matters which are up for considera
tion before the departments and con
gress.
At the request of Governor Porter
the secretary of the interior has
withdrawn from congress the Creek
treaty, and it has been sent back to
the Territory in order to enable the
representative of the Creek nation
to approve certain changes which
are desired by the members of the
committees on Indian affairs of the
house and senate.
When the treaty was first sent to
congress Governor Porter, who
stands high with the interior depart
ment, was confident that it would be
promptly ratified by congress. After
an examination of the treaty, how
ever, by prominent members of the
committees on Indian affairs, for
midable opposition was raised, and
it became at once apparent that un-
less certain notifications were made
the treaty could not be ratified by
congress. Governor Porter, a prac-
teal man, at once realized the situa-
ton and requested the secretary of
the interior to withdraw the treaty in
order that he might return to the ma
tion and lay the matter before the
representatives of the Greek tribe
for such action as they might deem
proper. Accordingly the treaty was
withdrawn and Mr.. Porter will In a
few days return to the Territory for
the purpose of inducing the members
of the tribe to agree to the changes
suggested by members of congress.
1t is probable that a similar course
will be pursued in regard to the Cher
okee treaty. Chief Burlington, who
has been in the city for several days,
10 encountering strong opposition to
the Cherokee treaty, and it is evil
dent that in order to secure favora-
BILE action at this session of congress
a number of important changes must
be made which will require the ap-
proval of the Cherokee council. Al
though his first visit to Washington,
Mr.. Burlington has made an excel
lent impression upon the officials
here, and if the Cherokees are wise
they will approve his suggestions.
The Visit OF Governor Brown to
Washington has no particular signif-
icance, his mission here relating to
routine matters coming before the
interior department.
-
Last Thursday Chief Burlington
and Governors Porter and Brown,
accompanied by ex-Judge Springer,
called at the White House and had
an interview with the president. 1t
was purely a formal affair; the only
subject of interest discussed was the
approval of a contract of Judge
Springer to represent the Creek and
Cherokee nations at Washington. SO
far as can be learned the president
has not committed himself on the
question and the contract has not
yet been approved. AT the interior
department it is learned that the
secretary is opposed to the approval
Of the contract, insisting that the
services of an attorney are not need
ed at the capital.
No action has been taken on the
bill passed by the Cherokee council
making an appropriation for the ex-
penses of the delegation to visit
Washington to secure the approval
of the Cherokee treaty. The subject
ia still under consideration by the
secretary of the interior
-
A subject of great interest to the
citizens of the Territory is now being
agitated by representatives In Wash.
ington. 1t relates to the appraise
ment of town-site property in the
various nations. Under the terms oi
the Curtis act it was provided thai
all town-site land should be ap.
praised at its actual value. Improved
property was to be paid for at 90
cents on the dollar, while unimprov
ed property was to be paid for at iti
full value. The question now a.
issue is as to whether or not the as
sessments are to be made at the
value OF the property today or a
the value of the property when the
towns were located. 1t is also claim
ed by representatives of the prop
erty owners that the present value
of this property is the result OF th'
improvements made by the Whit
people, and that the Otis act CON