The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-11-20
INDIAN AFFAIRS
STILL UNSETTLED.
FEDERAL LEGISLATION NECESSARY
An Inspector Recommends the AIiCt-
mcnt OF Lands and the EN-
tiHcsiom OF the Tribal
Governments.

In his annual report to the Secretary
of the Interior. che United States Indian
Inspector for the Indian Territory. esIe-
cially makes reference TO the unsettled
condition Of affairs in that Territory.
which he says must necessarily continue
during the transitory period until towns
are surveyed. plated. and lots therein
disposed Of citizens enrolled. lands aF-
praised and allotted, and the several
tribal governments. with their various
laws, extnguished
When II is considered" continues the
inspector. chat this Territory contains
some 1900, 600 acres. rich in mineral de
posIts. and is also an exceptionally Gne
agricultural country. portions OF which
are specially adapted to the raising OF
cotton, which fact has induced some 5oo,-
600 OF more white persons, OF nCu-citi-
zcus. TO locate here. all seeking to take
advantage Of the opportunities presented.
together with The constant building and
construction OF new railroads, thereby
continually changing conditions, the work
Of ascertaiuIug and enrolling some 10000
proper citizens of the various tribes. al
lojJing lands to same under existing
agreements surveying, Plating. and dis
posing OF lots in about 140 towns the
enforcing Of certain acts of Congress
with he various constructions placed on
same and consequent litigatioui, together
with the various tribal laws still recoE-
uizod, and the final winding up Of the ar
fairs Of the several nations. Is difficult
10 realize by those not familiar with the
4 q Hnga
officers Of the various departments Of the
Government in the Indian Territory
The Allotment of Lands.
The most important and desired work
to be accomplished i'm the Indian Terri
tory at this time by the Government and
/ all interested parties is the allotment
Of lands in severalty to the citizens Of
the Five Civilized Tribes and the final
winding up Of their affairs.
The existing agreements with the
various tribes under which this work
is to be accomplished provide that all
lands shall be appraised and so allotted
that each individual viii receive his equal
share in the value of the same to be
: eqUalizod either in lands or moneys Of
. the tribe.
Being directed TO submit such sug-
Eestions and recommendations as are
deemed desirable for the betteIment OF
the conditions existing in the Indian Ter
rit3ry. I would respectfully suggest that
the most desirable change would be ad-
ditiOnal legislation with the various
tribes. il necessary providing for more
simple manner Of allotment Of lands than
I the present agreements provide.
Were lGnds allotted giving to each
citizen a specific and equal number of
acres without appraisement, permitting
him TO make selection where desired and
the balance or surplus lands remaining
sold for the benefit OF all as is and al
ways has been done by the Government
among all Indians throughout the country,
and where as much difference in quail
I ity Of lands exists as here 10 would seem
apparent 10 any familiar with the DIFF
hCulty, il not impracticability by reason
Of the fact that values Of lands are con-
stantly changing throughout the Terri
tory, owing TO extensive improvements
made by railroads and building mp OF
towns which could not be forescen. that
the work Of completing these allOtments
would be accomplished in % much shorter
time. and finally more satisfactory 10 in
tertsted citizens than under existing law.
Fo-, Uniform Taxation.
AS set forth in detail in this report.
the tribal permit laws are dinereu, ia
ta'A Oh |lf LA.4oLE asl4 cause tDLe.
friction between citizens and Indians. as
also much Litigation In the courts.
therefore renew 10y previous recommended
tiOn that d uniform system Of taxation
throughout the Territory be provided bv
Congress. the same % be used for gen
eral purposes for all concerned including
Improvement of roads and education OF
some 10000 children OF nOu-citizeus. Tn
der dire stIOn of Tie honorable Secretary
Of the Interior, an Investigation IS now
being made. authorized by Congress. for
the purpose Of ascertaining whether II
Will BE- practicable 10 levy taxes thorough
"ut the Territory for such purposes.
Il respectfully renew my previous rec
ommeudalion that Congress be asked 10
permit a sufficient amount Of tha funds OF
The Cherokee Nation 20 be Withdrawn
from the United States Treasury with
which To- pay their outstanding iudarred-
ness which aggregates al this time about
SAuo.tNU In warrants. which warrants draw
interest al the rate OF O. per cent. while
the nation receives but per cent and less
on invested funds from the United
States"