The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-09-08
Attorney Webb of st. Louis Elk
plains One Phase of Situa-
ton in Territory.
WHITE CITIZEN IS DEFENDED.
instability of Laws and Ignor-
ance OF Nations Wards, He
Declares, Have Caused
Present Complication.

j. A. Webb, an attorney in the Lincoln
trust building, who drew up the bill
which Congress enacted into a law in 1901,
authorizing banks and trust companies to
do business in the Indian Territory. and
thus enable residents thereof to obtain
outside capital to aid in its development,
talked TO a Republic reporter yesterday
about the conditions there.
Il have had occasion to keep a pretty
close watch on the affairs of Indian Ter
ritory for some years. said Mr.. Webb.
Il know very little of the political situa-
ton. but L am personally acquainted with
nearly all the principal Government of
ficials. and 1 would be 10th to doubt their
officiai or personal integrity. 1t is quite
possible, of course. that among the minor
Government agents, some have given
cause Tor a thorough investigation by
their administration. Such things have
happened in Cuba, in the Philippines and
In Washington, directly under the eyes of
the abine
SITUATION EXAGGERATED.
Il do know" however, that the land
situation in the Indian Territory has been
exaggerated and misrepresented TO the in
justice and injury of that section. 1t is
inSf,;h thihh, that some companies and
in~oiViduais In the Indian Territory lease
Iands from the Indians at frightfully low
prices, sometimes as low as Is cents an
acre: 1 know that they suitcase these
JANUS 10 white settlers at prices VARYING
from 81 TO y an acre. But that statement
contains only half the truth. the other
halI being that in the meantime they have
divided the land into tracts of 100 acres or
less. and improved each tract by briIdine
a substantial fence around it, erecting ,
~ns- upon it, sinking a we'll tor
the farmers use. vi
1t is also true that sometimes two
leases are executed by the allotee. where
Sy ne lets the same piece of property TO
reguiarities are only accustomed nv and
are usually cnarseable to, what are known
as freedmen who are negroes who nave
married into the tribes. ANY one who
thinks, however. this the white men in
indian Territory do not know enough
ABOUT negroes and Indians to take care Of
themselves is not familiar with their bIsi-
ness ability and experience.
WHITES IN HIGH STANDING.
BY inquiring among the wholesale mer-
chants of this city and the banks here one
can easily ascertain their high business
capacity, and their higher credit.
There are many attorneys in the Terri
tory who are quite able to keep I'D with
the various changes in treaties. rules and
decisions Of the Interior Department, con-
Trajectory and illogical as many of these
are,
They know that, while Congress has
neSlgently omitted to provide any spe-
clic manner and place for the recording
or leases by a%llotees, there Is a universal
principal common to all law relating to
properties; that possession is prima facia
evidence of the right to possess.
Consequently, when the lessee of lands
from the Indians takes possession and be-
gins to improve the lands by bui. ding
fences and houses thereon, a third party
will not usually accept another lease. and
If he does be knows he will nave some
difficulty in dislodging the first lessee.
LAWS ALWAYS CHANGING.
1.-The chief difficulty imposed upon les
sees OF Indian lands is to be found in the
seemingly never-ending changes of the
laws and rules of the Department of the
Interior.
II do not believe there is danger of any
individual or company suffering loss in any
legitimate business in the Territory. on
the other hand, the day of the develop
ment Of that country mas arrived. The
Indian should be treated justly and kindly,
but he has loafed at the expense of the
Government long enough, and he will have
to go TO work. If he will do so, he can
share in the prosperity which is sure to
come to the Territory on the incoming of
the white man. with his money, his eX-
perience and his industry" g.