The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-09-17
INDIAN TERRI
TORY LANDS.
St. Louis Republics
Editorial on Terri
toriaI Affairs.

n tHotohEh nbuo0 bitHhthN - tF-
quired 10 the Indian Territory
The conditions existing there need
revolutioniEng In the cause of
common decency.
No doubt that United States Of.
iicials. in specific instances, nave
been guilty Of oountensncing and
participating in the profits accru
ing from the Wholesale leasing Of
Indian lands on terms which Il IL
difficult TO characterize by any but
the word graft. No doubt other
officials, including the Dawes
commission, by investing in trust
companies, though these compan.
les do not deal IN lands, have left
room for Jus. criticism.
The Dawes commission today
constitutes the most responsible
aulhori,yin the territory. In it Is
vested the tremendous power of
alIoshng to each Indian his share
Of a wide domain, which amounts
TO "opening up the territory "
The progress OF this work neces-
sarily brlngs In ile wake an in
rushing Of outside spectators,
eager to make money. who have
no thought for the rights Of the
Indian. The Dawes commission
stands, representing the United
States. responsible for the integ-
rity OF the United States in main
tanning the rights Of the Indian In
bis unequal contest against the in
vasion OF "giafters."
When reason exists for believ-
ing that the commissioners also
wish TO profit, In addition to the
generous salary OF 5000 a year,
by the territory boom, ii cannot be
assumed that they are making
whole souled endeavor 10 the In-
dian's behalf Their acts, after
full consideration OF their defense,
seem eminently improper.
Several United States officers,
until the recent stir caused them
20 resign, were connected with the
Tribal Developing company, the
manager Of which admits = control
OF more than 100000 acres. for the
rental of which an absurdly low
sum is paid. IN extenualion United
s.aiee Attorney Pliny Soper de.
clares that the sphere Of bis duties
az prosecutor is many miles north
Of the Chickasaw country in which
the development company oper.
ales. THE is true, but IL lie poor
excuse. Pliny Soper cannot con.
sislently stand for the interests OF
The Cherokees and be engaged In
dealings which affect great none.
lsry interests among the Chioka-
SAWS and Choctaws. de claims
that the business Il legitimate, and
yet w. e Stanley Of the commits
sion Is quoted as saying that II ia
legitimate only 10 that the Law Is
deficient Furthermore, soper Is
attorney for the Frisco. The fed
erd aud 8 railroads interests ne.
cessarily must ooniiiot at times.
and a joint representation Of both
js hardly ooneonan. with pFoprie.
ties. Il Is not proper tha, the
Ffisoo's legal headquarters At viu.
ita should be Ia the United States
court house
The case Of soper Is typical
Charges Of both impropnssy aud
graft are before the punlic il nun
eruns phases es--"ssar.routen postal
scandals, nonsraband whisky lrsde,
coal reglegatIons, lnwn sites. OIL
deals IN .ne Cherokee Nation. and
she widetpread land grabbing
Surely, 10 pufe humane justice u
the helpless iull.hlood Indian, and
10 the interests Of The future good
rame Of he territory. = thorough
hnnaa cleaning L needed.