The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1901-08-25
REGARDING INDIAN TERRITORY
MATTERS FOR CONGRESS.
Cherokees Will Have TO Take Initia-
tory Steps, Their Own NegI-
gence Has Caused Their
Many Misfortunes,
Special to the Ardmoreite.


"a Congressman Charles Curtis
gives out the following interview
regarding matters in the Indian
Territory which are bound to come
up at the coming session of con-
gress. Mr.. Curtis says;
| stated to the people while at
Tahlequah a few months ago with
Senator Quarles, the Cherokees
will have to take the initiatory
steps in securing an agreement
with the government, as congress
has almost become impatient with
Indian Territory matters and each
session sees this bugaboo come be-
fore it.
While | understand the situation
very well, every Congressman is
not conyersant with affairs down
there, and when a bill is presented
regarding the Indian Territory,
they pass it by slightly and don't
care to discuss it, 1t is almost inn
possible to interest congress on
minor matters from the Indian
Territory and it is their only inten-
ton to wind up the whole affair.
When this is taken into considera-
ton, am not surprised at Presi-
dent McKinley's refusal to sign the
bill allowing another commission
to make a treaty, as Secretary
Hitchcock no doubt recommended
its veto, but then this should not
be done, for if the Cherokees are
still willing to make an agreement
and will make the advance, con-
gress should be willing to meet
them. | have made the Indian
question almost a life time study
and fully realize the slowness of the
nature of the Indians. but time
and progress are making new con.
ditions in the Territory, and while
it may seem hard to see these
changes come, they will have TO
come sooner or later and the quick
er the Cherokees take advantage of
it the better it will be for them.
In the other nations the advanced
idea is fast gaining foothold and
already the Greeks, Semiuoles,
Choctaws and Chickasaws have
made treaties that are proving ben
efcial and will advance their
growth The white man has be-
come the greater portion of the
settlement and is developing the
country and compelling pro.
gress, and it is impossible to let
the Indian customs and Indian
ways remain. 1t may seem an in
justice, but nevertheless the In
dians' negligence in keeping them
out in the first place is part of the
cause.
| feel confident that if the Cher
okees take up their old treaty,
make the changes they desire and
pass it by council, that congress
will ratify its demands. Congress
has no interest in the Indian Ter.
ritory outside of seeing justice
done all those Indians and citizan
interested, and when this is done
its moral obligations cease.
1t is a source Of much gratifca.
ton that | see the progress in
townsite matters in the Territory,
aud | feel now with what progress
has been made in the last two
years, In settling up that vast
estate, that another three years
will see its completion. There
will be some radical legislation at
tempted in congress this winter re
gardiug the Territory, which | un-
derstand will be a bill to make
Oklahoma and Indian Territory
one state This is impossib With
the existing condition in tn, Terri
tory and l fear if this is attempted
that they will both have to wait
some time, as such legislation
would not pass.
a suit pressing club is all ripht