Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-21
DAWES COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT CONCERNING
THE FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES.
Rebuke in Strong Language for Men
Whose Criticisms Tend to Retard
and Confuse the Work.

The annual report Of the commission to
the five civilized tribes. known the
Dawes commission, which for a decade has
been engaged in Indian Territory in the
task of dissolving tribal governments, ex-
tinguishing communal title to the land
vesting possession and title in severalty
among the citizens of the tribes and as
simlating tribal conditions generally to
American citizenship standards, says that
the appropriations for the execution of the
Curtis act have now amounted to nearly
$l,0O0,00 In administering upon the five
great estates constituting the lands of these
tribes, aggregating 2o0000OO acres, the
commission has passed upon nearly 100000
applications for citizenship enrolment and
claims to the property. The report says
that during the six months ending June 30
last 1O,079 allotreRts were made in the
Cherokee nation. indicating that the
Cherokees should all have their homes as
signed to them by the end of 1904. saving
unexpected interruptions. and that the en-
tire work of the territory will be disposed
of, except such remnants incident to such
large undertakings, involving protracted
contentious" by the end of the fiscal year
1905. Regarding recent revelations in the
territory the report says:
Opposing Interests.
THE same interests are opposed to the
completion of this business that were OPP
posed to its being commenced, and as the
end draws near they pursue with redoubled
energy the same tactics of obstruction,
fault finding, exaggeration, SANDER and all
manner of false statements, in order to
confuse the situation, muddy the waters,
and embarrass, hinder and prevent the con-
cluSion of the work But every consider
alton of legitimate interest calls for the
firm and consistent maintenance of the
past and present policy of the govern
ment; and we only ask of Congress and
the administration whose instruments we
are, that before they heed these extraordi-
nary statements, yet not more extraordi-
nary than those of 1893 they hear both
sides now as then, and we venture the as
sertion that inquiry will develop that they
are false in substance, and are voiced only
by men whom we have foiled, or are SEEK
ing to foil, in unlawful and predatory prac-
tees, or by the credulous and deluded fol-
lowers of such men,"
Rights of Indians.
In view of the facts brought to Night since
the Delaware lands were segregated from
the Cherokees the commission expresses
the opinion that those lands have not been
selected with due regard for the interests
of either the Delaware Indians generally
or of other citizens of the Cherokee nation,
and that further proceedings bearing on
lutely necessary to protect the rights of
the citizens concerned. The commission
recommends that Congress authorize the
disposition of the excess lands of the Creek
Indians under sealed bids for the benefit
of the tribe, the funds derived therefrom
to be used in equalizing the value of allot-
ments among the Creeks. Complete allot-
ments of 160 acres each have been ma de to
IA, AGO citizens of that tribe, and compare
lively few aFotments remain to be made
Allotments have been completed on the
Seminole lands and a surplus of 1890
acres remains in that nation, and their
sale under sealed bids in recommended.
To Check Speculation.
To check the speculation in pine timber
on the Choctaw and Chickasaw lands the
commission recommends the sale of the
standing pine under sealed bids Recon-
mendations also are made that railroad
companies be required to file with the COM
mission plans of all lands sought to be ac-
quired; that the coal and asphalt lands and
deposits of the Choctaws and Chickasaws
be sold under sealed bids; that Congress
authorize the establishment of public high
tons, and that all leases, contracts or in
struments of conveyance executed by citi-
zenS of the Cherokee and Creek nations af-
fectng the title of their lands to become
valid shall within thirty days from their
sale be recorded in the recording office of
the respective districts.