Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1902-03-06
Between the Provisions of the
Moon Bill and SOper's
Throttle Measure.
FREE FROM TAINT
OF Carpelbagism II Provides
for a Liberal Form Of Self
Government FIR the Peo
pie Of the Territory.

hb pIpNlblouh VI Aub mNVh
bill, providing for terri
torial form of government for the
Indian territory, which has been
fayorably reported by the commit.
tee on territories, are IN sharp
contrast to the gag and deliver"
plan devised by Pliny Leland SO.
per, for The perpeiuation Of the
very conditions the people Of the
territory have been seeking relief
rom.
The offices are made elective
and as a consequences the bill will
not be popular with the clique OF
federal Office holders, whom
the Soper bill was intended TO
continue at the pie counter.
The passage Of the bill would
witness the passing of cdrpetbag-
i'm from the territory.
The principal provisions Of the
bill are as follows:
"No tax shall be imposed upon
any town lot until the title thereto
passes out of the Indian nation or
tribe, but all improvements there
on may bs taxed as personal pro
periy, except as authorized by ex-
listing law. No tax shall be i'm
posed on the land held as the al
lotment OF any Indian, contrary
10 the sipulalions Of any agree.
ment or treaty now existing. or
that may hereafter be made by
and between the United States
aud any nation Or tribe Of Indians
10 said territory. No tax shall be
imposed upon the personal pro-
perty Of the members Of either OF
the other Eve civilized tribes for
school purposes, except as now
authorised by law, so long as the
nation or tribe to which such mem.
bers belong maintains a school
system OF it's own"
The levy Of an occupation tax is
provided for in these words: "But
nothing herein shall be held to
prohibit the ievying aud collect.
ing license, occupation and priv
ilege taxe- in the territory from
persons engaged in any business
OF occupation therein il the legis-
laiive power shall consider such
taxes necessary"
The right Of franchise is extend
ed to all male citizens Of tue
United States who have been resi-
deuts OF the territory for one year.
In addition to the officers nam ed,
the right to select a delegate to
congress is provided.
Much to the disgust Of the men
who have been speculating IN
county seat locations, the location
Of the counties and the establish. 4.
ment Of the county seats is left TO
the legislature. The number of
counties to he organized shall not
exceed thirty three, and the legis.
la'ure shall provide the form OF
county government II is provid
ed that the Legislature must name
its counties by numbers, aud thst
the people a. the frs, general elec-
tion shall vote for name for the
county in which they reside. The
legislature is authorized to estab.
llsh county courts and justice oI
the peace courts and prescribe
their Jurisdiction. The county
court shall have exclusive original
jurisdiction in all suits for the col
lection OF county or territorial
taxes.
!. One Of the present problems ia
the territory is the lack Of auth or
ity for the establishment and
mainlenNnce of public highway,
The bill. provides that so feet o.
land on each section line 10 tn,
territory shall be lef, unclosed
and be dedicated to the use OF lh'
public highways.
The present laws, acls aud reso
luliods Of the different tribes, nov
in force in the territory are abul
ished aud repealed, and the iurlh
er collection of tribal permit Iaxrl
. by United States officials specific
ally prohibited. Appropriation il
made for The fret election Of mem
hers OF the legislature aud officer
OF the territory.
welch happenings.
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