Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1900-05-24
NO PROGRESS MADE YET
Indian Affairs al a StandstiIl
In Washington.


Washingtons May 10. The con.
ference committee on the part Of
the two houses, which has had In
charge the Indian appropriation
bill, has reached an agreement
and the bill will be reported back |
to the two houses Wednesday.
All appropriations for the Indian
Territory contained in the bill as
il passed the senate have been
agreed to in conference, with the
single exception Of the appropria-
tion for the Dawes commission
which has been reduced from
! $4,000 to 100000. As the bill,
as agreed upon, contains no OBJ
jectionable riders the report will
be approved by the house and sem
ate at an early date.
Little progress is being made by
the joint committee in charge Of
the Cherokee treaty. liz fact
there seems to be a general under
standing that no action will be
taken on this agreement at this
session of congress. In the mean
time objections to the provisions
Inserted by Representative Curtis
continue to pour in on members Of
the committees Of the two houses.
There is a general feeling among
those who hoye 'he matter IN.
charge that the best solution TO the
entire problem is for the secretary
of the interior to proceed with the
Enforcement OF the Curtis law in
both the Cherokee and Creek ma
tons. As there is no possibility
Of favorable action on the Creek
treaty at this session, and little
prospect of a ratification of the
Cherokee treaty, ii lie probable
! inat the secretary Of the interior
Tor will, as soon as congress ad-
journs. apply all provisions OF the
Curtis law to the two nations, and
vigorously enforce them.
A determined effort is being
made by representatives, of the
Cherokee nation to secure the
passage of a bill appropriaiing
"a, 100000 to pay the claim Of the
Cherokee Indians against the gov
erument This claim has been
the subject Of constant dispute for
the past ten years, and tccasioned
much comment during the last ses-
sion of the Cherokee council, when
attempts were made by prominent
men to secure contracts with the
nation for its collection. The
claim, however, has been adverse.
Ilyrecommended by at least one
attorney general, and, while there
is. disposition on The part OF Ger
tain members Of the house ant
senate to pay il, there is strong
! opposition IN other quarters. Tn,
leader. OF the movement at thI
present time is Robt. l.. Owen, o
Muskogee, who has purchased th'
contract, secured several years ag,
Eby Shelly, Butler e. Company,
firm of prominent lawyers. il
this city, who were to receive fv
, per cent OF the amount collected
4 In addition to this contract wit
the tribe, which, by the way, lh
B, interior department has repeated
! ly refused to approve, contract
: have also been secured with il
dividual members of the Cheroke
/ nation providing for an sllowanc
y of an additional 10 per cent for lh
u collection cf the money, and ais
approving the contract with slh
. nation. These private contract
have thrown a cloud over the Ell
tire proposition, and it is doubtfI
+" whether favorable reports can eve
be obtained from the Indian con
: mittees OF the house aud senat
But even should such reports |
!. obtained, Speaker Henderso
" would not allow the bin to con
! up for consideration at this Sc
: sion. He is now putting dow
the thumb screws on all CLAIM
!, and other bills, aside from tho
carrying the regular government
appropriations, and thus preven
= ing their consideration in Il
: house. Washington Correspon
ent to the Muskogee Times.
~ Oklahoma Dental Co.