The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-01-08
Indian Lands
Some Reasons in Favor Of the Re
moval Of Restrictions.

published some time ago strong
article urging the removal of re-
strictions from the sale Of Indian
lands. The following were the
arguments used:
n Because the allotees, except
ing a very small class of non-En-
glish speaking full-bloods, are ex-
actly like other United States citi-
zens in appearance, clothing, man
ner, language, intelligence, educa-
ton and habits, and are as compet-
ent in business affairs.
2. Because the theory OF pro-
.tecting the incompetents estate by
selling his land and handing the in
competent the money, is itself ut
terly absurd. Because destroying
the independence and power Of in
itiative of the allotee would reduce
him TO the status Of a Reservation
Indian, would degrade him and inn
pair his development.
B. Because under present rules
the competition Of bidders, except
spectators, is destroyed and the
great body Of allotees are denied
the advantage which free immigra-
ton would afford by increased COM
petition.
A. Because IS pieces a week, the
present official limit Of offering,
would take 65 years 70 get one
chance Of sale to $4,000 allotees.
Because on the basis Of half the of
ferings resulting in sale a high es-
innate as demonstrated by results
TO date) it would take 100 years to
give each allotee his statutory right
Of sale. In the FIVE years only
325o citizens could exercise the
right granted by congress and 81 +
$50 citizens would have been denied
the statutory right
S. Because the act Of congress
providing sales has been nulliied
by its administration. which has
prevented sales, instead Of allowing
them. Seven sales have been made
up 10 December IS, 1903, in two
years and nine months from the
date Of the act authorizing sales. Of
Feb. 1901
6. Because the sales made al
ready demonstrate that the bankers
and spectators are getting al the
land sold.
=. Because pntting mp the bars
az inst actual settlers who would
be the most important and the most
numerous class Of bidders, denim.
ishes tho average priceof the whole
of these lands.
3. Because the selling price Of a.
few very choice pieces, on which
the entire speculative bidding IS
concentrated. forms 4 mischicvous
and misleading example, whose on
" value is that such artificial high
price may be offered as an ilIustra
ton Of the excellence Of a motor
iously bad system. AS well prove
the value Of bread by offering al
auction twenty five ioaves oi bread
to the speculative agents of five
hundred thousand hungry men. In
many cases however, the prices are
lower under The present method
than under the previous rules.
8. Because spectators buying
these land. viii not improve them
and thus the development Of the
country will be retarded.
10. Because the actual settler #
permitted 10 buy would improve
the land, would build roads. bridges
school houses and make good
neighbor, and a good example Of
thrift and industry 10 the allotee,
to the great increase in value Of
land remaining ii the hands Of the
aliotee and his family Because the
adult allotees own only a fourth Of
the land and can only sell a part Of
this fraction so that in no event can
F. large part change hands except |
as minors become adult. II should
be remembered that many adults
will not sell an acre Of their land
III. Because the allotee ought
10 be allawed to choose his neigh
Dor by dealing direct with actual
settlers and not be compelled TO
submit to any kind Of transient ten
ant neighbor the speculator land
lord might impose on him The |