The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1901-03-03
rHs TREATY KNOCKED OUT. .
No Further Attempt VIII be Made TO
Pass Bill This Congress.

In Fridays ARDMOREITE we
gave the assured prediction that
the supplemental treaty between
the Chickasaw and Choctaw In
dians and the Dawes commission
would not become a law in this
session of congress. The para
graph read:
That the treaty will fail TO be
come a law at this session of con
gress is an absolute certainty and
the prospects of future action up
on 1t by coming congresses are
very meagre. The members Of the
Dawes commission will bave great
difficulty in convincing senators
and representatives that new
treaty with the Choctaws and
Chickasaws is necessary or even
expedient. It is pointed out by
senators who are on the commit.
tee on Indian affairs that all of the
legal questions involved in the old
treaty has been passed upon by the
courts and definitely settled so that
the Dawes commission as well as
the citizens of the tribes under
stand how to proceed without end
less litigations in the courts. II
new Ltreaties are agreed to
they would certainly result in
suits in the courts which would
embarrass and impede the work of
closing up the tribal governments
and prevent the opening of the
two nations for several years.
These and other objections are be-
ing urged against action on the
treaty sent 10 congress.
In confirmation of this expected
result, many of our attorneys and
others who felt greatly interested
in the outcome Of the measure,
were rejoiced. Saturday morning
by the receipt Of the following tele-
gram.
Washington, d. c., March >,
s:2S a. m.-Ledbetter & Cruce,
/. T.; Treaty knocked
out for this session, start home
tomorrow.
Signed S. T. BLEDsoE.
In addition to this assurance we
append a special sent out from
Washington on the night of Feb
nary 2s which says:
Washington, Feb. 2S.-The con
erees on the Indian appropriation
ill today refused to incorporate
he new Chickasaw and Choctaw
reaty. No further attempt will be
made to pass the treaty at this
ongress.
As will be seen from the above
he treaty is as Mr.. Bledsoe says
knocked ont" and will not be 4
cted upon at this congress.
Ii is claimed by some who are in
position to know that the effect ,
t the ratification Of this treaty 4
7ould be TO still further compl- :
ate conditions in this territory
nd would have delayed the final
of the rolls of citizen
hip for two years or more.
The effect of this treaty would {
ave been to open mp all of the \
ourt judgments in citizenship
ases. These suits were com
lenced in 1896 and have been af-
rmed by the Supreme Court of {
ne United States. If this work I
ad to be done over again, no one il
Duld tell when it would be finally l
oncluded. There should be an :,
I'D to litigation. =
While few attorneys and OFF, d
ais who have this matter in 3
large, would be benefited by d
lis delay, it would be a great bur y
en- to Indian and non citizen +,
ike to continue present condi. ]
ons a single day longer than Is a
)solutely necessary. L
The final roll of citizenship +"
ust be made up and the lands d
lotted, before there can be any 8,
.rtainty as to property rights so c
r as land is concerned. CT
At present no one knows what !,
depend upon; the Indian does a,
,t know what is his, pr when he c
i'll get what is coming to him. ST
What we need is that these ques- m
Dns shall be settled, then our .
,nditiOn for local salf ,,o,.,,.,, -