The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-05-10
ALLOTMENT PROVISION
IS IMPORTANT

Ardmorc, l. r.. May p.-Trovision is
made in the Indian Appropriation bill
Tor the territory allotment of th' lanes
to the members oi The hvc civilized
tribes. The nrOvision. though brief.
IS OF vast importance to every Indian
an the territory, being regarded 10y
those familiar with the Indian situation
as the first material step toward 4 sct-
tied condition OF affairs in this coun-
try--"a cOnsummation devoutlv 90 he
wished Il will pave the way wherein
legitimate investments can be SHADE
and returns had according 20 the Wis
~elom applied
The new bill intends that cvery Chict
saw and Choctaw citizen shall rccciee
3a acres oF land il being a temporary
-portion Of the allotment Legislation
hcrcttoforc proposed TO provide lor a
temporary allotment to the Indians,
signaliy failed because OF the bitter op-
position to any plan 20 TX or limit the
pro rata share OF those entitled TO par
ticipate in the divisions OF the domain.
This OPPOSITION came principally from
an element who were growing rich
leasing agricultural lands and WHO
yearly received enormous revenue.
The complaint was that to limit the
tirTcicre with hundreds of agricultural
lezses made with the non-citizens. The
farmers who were tilliug the soil also
backed the Indians plea, wirl state
zlacnt that TO limit the holding ul the
Gndian would prove disastrous 70 the
abest interest Of the people. he cattle
Vflen who held grazing leases also 'oui-
ed with the Indian in their opposition.
This combination proved a powerful
Influence. and the result was that tor
many years congress never disturbed
existing conditions. The poorer class
of Indians long ago revoltcd against
the idea Of excessive land holding.
Many were unable to even receive Pn
allotment. while hundreds OF more IN
Huential Indians held thousands pl &C
res and were growing wealthy The
poorer element set up continual howl
and the government. although slow 10
act, finally sought TO remedy conditions
IN the nations. Departm mt officials
soon recognized that it was difficult
problem 60 rcadlust matter, satlslac-
.gOryily between members ~ the tribes.
irst the Dawes commis non was er2dt
ed anJ Nth It an att~ " WIS mat@
7iy ii.c government 20 hOnt tilc g''w'ts
sd re indians. But the -e was IN clr-
Llr (sd.gs government, tc rrH, v
..axa@4tgpua The work oi the Dave
s-Smm ssou was being retardcd hy tits
-i,trs.t ard finally the commissioner
askcd the government to use Grastie
grcars tp terminate the tribal goVt5ii-
vaent a.iu allOt the laads. l.cauer, oi
alic tribes protested against any 'nrtr-
9erence With the tribal government, and
tItfle could be accomplished toward
f5reakiag Up an anomalous stlte q Ji-
s1iTS Provision WAS made ihu the
yAads wJuld be equally dlotted and a.
rrr much delay treaties were mad,
anh the tribes. and The situation Ne
gan 10 gradually improve. But there
were deficiencies in the agreement anI
segislation was badly needed 10 NEE
1ew conditions. In 1903 congress pass
ed an act for the prote-tion ot the teo
pie ID was the Curtis bill, which
among other things 5 sught to break NJ
excessive land holdings. but its trten
aas destroyed by 'echnicaliticS, th'
courts holding that ,naNacn as 'h,
rOlls had not been closed and the ltnd
dctermBed what a citizen pro rat
share was Although the lands are nov
graded the rolls remain Enclosed, bu
-e1ce egress having fixed definite numbe
s1f acres 500 II is no longer possibl
eo cvade the law. This will give tn
ylOorer class OF indians an opportuni
~, heretofore made impossible by ex
Fsfing conditions. They will be able &
secure valuable tracts OF land, whic
aiavc been held by the Weather elias
sof indians taking advantage OF th
Gechnicalities IN the law And thos
who have grown rich from the wealth
DrOducing lands must relnquish all sur