The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-17
Difficulties of the Five Tribes.

Tho treaty with the Cherokee Indians
was ratified in both houses OF Congress
February %. and is now before the people
for ratification or rejection. II ratified at
the coming election the allotment of lands
will follow as soon as the Dawes Com
mission can complete its labors. At present
no occupant of land in the Cherokee Nation
has title. In spite Of this fact. many costly
business buildings and residences have
been erected on the tracts set aside for
town sites.
The Dawes Commission Is one Of the
most important commissions working under
the Interior Department Of the Federal
Government. Under an act Of Congress ap-
proved March 3. 1893. the commission was
created. 1t was to enter into negotiations
with the Cherokees. Chickasaws. Choctaws.
seminoles and Creeks. the five civilized
tribes Of the Indian Territory. concerning
the abolition of their tribal government and
the allotment Of their lands in severalty.
The commission took its name from its
chairman. and Is Familiarity known as THE
Dawes Commission" Since this date nu-
merous acts of Congress nave been passed
relative to the commission and its work.
Several designations have been rendered
and new appointments have been made.
The personnel Of the commission as 1t
stands to-day comprise the following gen.
| tlemen: Henry l. Dawes Of Massachusetts,,
| Clifton r. Breckenridge of Arkansas. Tams
Bixby of Minnesota, Thomas b. Needles OF
| Illinois. with A. L. Aylesworth secretary.
The commission has its headquarters at
Nluskogee. Since its organization, seven
years ago. the commission has been neso;i-
ating with the Five Tribes. endeavoring 10
effect a result satisfactory to all parties
concerned. But the work OF reaching any
definite conclusions has been slow on ac-
count Of the complex and diversified condi-
lions existing in the Indian Territory. In
1897 the commission reached an agreement
with the Choctaws and Chickasaws where
by these Indians agreed to allotment ana
the abolition of their tribal autonomy. with
the condition that they retain the latter
for a period of eight years from the date
Of the ratification. The commission has ne
gotiated two treaties with the Creeks. The
first, in 1897, failed Of confirmation. and
another agreement was made in the winter
of 1899 and 1900. and was ratified by the low
er house of Congress. but failed in the Sem
ate and is now pending.
In the meantime a land office has been
opened in Muskogee and more than two-
thirds of the Creek citizens have selected
their allotments and filed on them.
In 1897 the commission negotiated a treaty
with the Cherokees, after a long and tedious
session, which was submitted to q popular
vote Of the people in February, 1898. and
was ratified by an overwhelming majority,
only a few fullbloods voting against It. but
II was afterwards rejected by the Govern
ment. After the passage OF the Curtis act,
June q. 1888. the commission again reached
an agreement with tie Cherokee delegation
at Washington. d. c.. and this has just been
ratified by the lower house. but neglected
by the Senate in the closing hours Of Con-
gress, with amendments. A solemn treaty
to an Indian is the end Of the law. He does
not know how to go beyond 1t. Therefore.
1t is difficult for the fullblood Indians to
realize that the Government has repeatedly
broken faith with them.
The passing of the Curtis bill by Congress
was the eliminating act that shattered the
Indians faith in the good Intentions Of the
Government. For this reason the Chero-
KEGS. who are leaders among the American
Indians in progress and civilization, have
been more reluctant about coming to an
agreement with the commission than the
other tribes. One Of the many objections
to the Curtis act. made by the Cherokees,
is the clause regarding the right of the
white adopted citizen and the freedman.
They have rebelled against the idea of be-
ing forced by the Government to divide their
decided lands equally and without consider