Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1902-02-06
PARTISAN LINES
Will be Drawn-Republicans for
One State and Democrats for
Two--A Poll Of Members.
Committees Perplexed
With Problem.


a territorial form Of government
for Indian territory. The com.
mittee on territories has under
consideration the bill introduced
by Congressman Moon giving the
territory a full Aedged territorial
form of government, while the
committee on Indian affairs has
under consideration the bill intro
duced by Congressman Curtis Civ.
ing the territory a skeleton form
of government, providing meTelv
for the appointment Of a governor
and secretary and the election of
a delegate to congress.
Because Of the conflict OF the
two committees an agreement has
been reached whereby subcommit
tees of the two committees have
been appointed to confer with each
other and perfect, if possible, .
comprehensive bill which will at
ford relief to the people. and YET
not be in conflict with the present
tribal government existing.
The subcommittees have already
had one meeting, and, while no
decision was reached, the Indica
lions all point to both committees
agreeing upon some bill. The
measure agreed to will probably
be in line with the Curtis bill,
which was drafted after a careful
study of existing conditions, and
with the obj ect in view Of avoid
ing a conflict between The jurisdic
tion Of the United S aies and that
OF the tribal governments, and at
the came time carry ou, the agree
ments entered into on the part of
the government with the Indian
nations in treaties heretofore rati
fed.
The statehood delegates from
the two territories have been max.
ing a careful canvass of the mem
bers Of the of the house and SEN
ate TO find out, if possible, the ex
act sentiment in regard to single
ind double statehood. 1t is very
apparent that the me mbsrs Of the
members OF the house aud senate
are somewhat similar in their
opinions to the people of the two
territories. The preponderance OF
sentiment, however, is in favor Of
single statehood, not a union OF
the two territories now, but the
immediate admission Of Oklahoma
and the ultimate absorption OF In
dian territory. The other day Mr..
Thomas II. Doyle OF Perry, and
Judge Bradford of Ardmore, called
on Senator Fairbanks, the author
of the statehood bill introduced in
the senate. Both Mr.. Doyle and
Mr.. Bradford are strong advocates
Of single statehood, and they Wers
Under the impression that the In.
diana senator might be willing Ia
permit the creation OF two states
out of the two territories. After
; explaining the object Of their mis-
sion Senator Fairbonks said:
"Genllemen, you need not
spend one minute in trying to con-
vert me to the principle of single
| am in favar Of single statehood
aud will do all can to further
such legislation In the senate.
am am unalteraby opposed tC
double statehood and would fghl
such proposition to the bittel
end.n
Mr.. Doyle and Judge Bradford
had not expected such a frank de
olarauon FROM the Indiana senator
and II came in the nature ei a sur
, prise. After thanking Senate
Fairbanks they retired. The mex
a senator they encountered was Hon
Joseph Bsily Of Texas. To thei
r utter omRzement, the found tha
the Texas senator was equally em
2 phatic in his position, and that n
argument would cuenge him. II
. stated that be was for doubt
stat, hood; that he proposed L
. equalize conditions now existin
: in the East, by the creation Of Nv
y states out Of Oklahoma and India
Il territory. He asserted that Rhod
'e Island, CONNECTICUT, Delaware an
Maryland had undue represents
o talion 10 the senate in propor,io
. TO their size and population. H
/. said frankly that no argumer
Il could change him aud that whil
ne was glad to meet Mr.. Doyl
4 and Judge Bradford that he eoul
Df not assist them Ia their endeavc
sr to secure single statehood.
Q, Doyle and Bradford continue
= I. their investigation. The next SCI
Is ator thev encountered was M
Berrv of Arkansas. Whila not ,