The National tribune., 1903-10-08

system and the allotment or the lands to
the Indians in severalty, the Curtis act
was passed, By which all the Indians OF
the Territory and the descendants Of their
slaves were enrolled Is citizens of the
United Stste-, andIthe land held in COM
mon ordered to be divided up among them.
The work Is to b, completed March 4,
1906 when all the tribal governments will
cease, and the Indfnnsfwili be full-hedged
citizens of the United States. All of the
work Of allotting the Mnds Of the Creeks
has been completed, and that of the Choc-
taws and Chickasaws will be finished with
in IS months. Each Indian becomes en-
titled to 800 acres of average land, of
which 160 acres are bis homestead, and
inalienable for 20 years from the date of
allotment. The remaining 160 acres he
is allowed to sell at the rate Of 40 acres
each year. He is alsp allowed to lease
his homestead for a period not exceeding
five years, and here is where much of the
grating has been done.
The fullblood Indian would sell his soul
for whisky, and he is absolutely ignorant
Of the value of money. There have sprung
up in the town of TishominSo lot of So
called real estate brokers and trust com
panies, of spectators. land sharks, and
others, who are full of informa ton as to
the value of every piece of land in the
States officials are concerned in these COM
panies. They know where all the best
land is. and it is easy to get fullblood
Indian and have him locate his allotment
upon it, and execute a lease ut a small
figure. He gets the first years rent in
cash, which he proceeds to invest in fire
water" and in giving a lovely carmine
color to one of the adjacent Texas towns,
where he can procure whisky, that he can
not get in the Territory. In a few days
he has no more memory of his money
than can intervene between the thrObs of
a splitting headache. As soon as this
wears off he wants another of the same
kind. and gets an advance on his lease,
which the company lets him have at the
moderate rate of 10 per cent per month,
and so ON until it is but Il little while I'M
til he apparently owes the company much
more than his land is worth. This is only
one of the ways in which the land com
panies are getting into possession of the
Indian Territory land and operating to the
injury of the real settlers who have given
years of labor to the land. and suffered
great hardships while developing it, and
who have rented it from the Indians. for
a share of their produce. The companies
are said to be the worst in the Choctaw
and Chickasaw nations, but they are ev-
erywhere. The Interior Department has
tried to make regulations restricting these
abuses. but so far it is claimed with
out any considerable share of success.
The matter will come up before Congress
at the next session, but it is not very hope
full that successful plan can be devised
by which the Indians can he protected
from their own ignorance and viciousness.
Certainly. however, something ought to he
done to alleviate the condition of the
whites who have settled on the land in
good faith.
The United States officials. who in their
haste to get rich quick. have been impli-
Gated in these transactions. or connived
at them, will have severe reckoning to
meet.
There is possibility that Representa-
tive John J. Jenkins, Of Wisconsin. will
be appointed to the, Bench of the District
Of Columbia, although it is ated that he
he has higher aspirations and will not ac-
cept the office. Representative Jenkins
was born in England in 1873, was brought
to Baraboo. Wis, when nina years old.
He served through the war in Co. A, 9th
Wis. He is an active member Of the
Grand Army. After serving in various
City and State offices, principally on the
bench. he was elected to, the 54th Congress
and has been reelected ever since, re-
ceiying 90, IA votes at the last election to
1880 for his opponent.
- p
The other candidates for the vacancy
on the District Bench are Judge d. Thew
Wright, of Cincinnati, who has Senator
Foraker backing him, and Judge HOLSTER,
also Of Cincinnati, who is stated not to
care for the appointment
A deaf mute got license to run an
autOmObilp in Wasbuptou 63y last
week. That is the limit, unless a blind
man secures one