The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-03-21

wac provided for each of those ma
tions. Three towns are growing
up where only one is being plated
and appraised by the present boards
in those two nations. Unless some
action Is taken, it means that those
townsite boards will be continued
there forever, as towns will continue
to grow up faster than they can sur
vey and appraise them.
1--WE also want the abolition OF the
tribal taxes and in lieu thereof q tax
authorized to be levied by the sec
retary of the interior to be used for
public school purposes. This is one
of the most important steps in con-
nection with the development of that
country.
Another change that we need,
and which is absolutely essential to
the rapid development of that coun-
try, is the establishment of a govern
ment oflce where the records of all
cases and the papers appertaining
thereto may be kept, so that they
may be examined by the people
there. As it is, we are compelled to
send to Washington to the interior
department for all information re.
latiug to every case that comes up.
This takes weeks and in many cases
months of delay and it can be easily
avoided by the establishment of a
local office, which would not only
minimize expense but greatly facili-
tate the transaction of business. In
addition to this we need a delegate
in congress. At present we are at
the beck and call of the representa-
tives from the states. Their time is
largely given up.to looking after the
interests of their constituents and
we need man in congress who can
devote his whole time to the consid-
Grafton of these questions.
~ notice, Mr.. Bennett, that there
have been a number of bills intro
duced in congress increasing the
number of the United States COM
missioners in the Indian Territory
are these desired by the people?"
"They certainly are. We are
badly in need of more United States
commissioners aud the enactment oi
legislation by congress increasing
their jurisdiction. The United States
courts in the Territory are delugeo
with business and there should be
some legislation which will divert
the Lesser cases to the United States
commissioners. This could be done
with perfect propriety and would
result in numerous benefits to the
people of the Territory"
1 asked Mr.. Stuart, senior member
of the firm of Stuart, Lewis & Ruth
erford of South McAlester, who il
also a member of the committee
how the people in the Territory like
existing conditions.
1--WE do not like them at ALL" ht
replied. 1--WE are in such a stagnan
state that the. Territory is full o.
wiggletails and they are increasing
daily. Unless we can obtain some
remedial legislation that magnificent
Territory will be practically ruined
1 think congress is now beginning t.
realizs the situation and that before
we return home we will have accom-
plished something"
-
Leo Bennett, the republican ma
tional CO committeeman from the Terri
tory, has announced his intention no
to stand for reelection. 1t is stated
on reliable authority that he will bt
succeeded by William Nj. Melette o
Vinlta.
Mr.. McKennon, member of tht
Dawes commission, has made him
self persona non grata with the in
terror department., and particularly
Secretary Hitchcock. The trouble
arises over a paragraph inserted il
the Indian appropriation bill at the
request of Mr.. McKennon. The bill
reported by the senate committee or
Indian affairs contains the following
proviso: = "That said com
mission shall continue to exercise al
authority heretofore conferred ON i
by law. But it shall not receive
consider or make any record of any
application of any person for enroll
ment as member of any tribe in the
Indian Territory who has not been s
recognized citizen and duly and le
gally enrolled or admitted as such
and it's refusal of such application
shall be final; but this shall not in
any manner affect the provisions o.
the act of congress of June 2S, 1898
respecting the Mississippi Choc
taws."
This reference to the Mississippi
Choctaws relates to those who are
now in Mississippi and who have moi
taken advantage of tie law and re.
moved to Indian Territory and have
established their rights in the Choc.
taw nation.
Some three weeks ago this ques.
| ton was raised before Secretary