The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-05-05
WHAT CONGRESS-
HAS DONE
Laws Passed Affecting Indian
Territory and Oklahoma.

Important legislation OF interest to
the people Of Indian Territory was
enacted by Congress at the session
~ ast closed.
Ia considering the territory bills,
members Of the Indian committees Of
the House and Senate were influenced
by the fact that the sentiment IN Con-.
gress was In favor OF the union OF In
dian Territory and oklahoma, and
much Of the legislation they recom-
mended was for the purpose Of prepar-
ing these territories for statehood.
Representative Curtis, Senator Platt
and other members OF the Indian com-
mittees, urged that the passage of
the statehood bill by the House should
be supplemented by the passage Of
bills that would reorganlze the terri
torial courts divide the territory into
counties and otherwise clear the way
for statehood.
Legislation Of this character would
have been enacted had not consIdera-
ton Of the various bills developed con-
.troyersy IN the Indian committees
which was prolonged until the close Of
the session. The passage of other In
dian Territory bills was prevented by
the early adjournment Of Congress.
Probably the most Important Indian
Territory legislation was that remoy.
ing restrictions from the alienation Of
Indian lands and providing four addi-
tional United States judges.
An amendment to the Iudlsnappro.
priation bin provides that all Of tile
restrictions upon the alienation OF
lands OF allottees Of the Five Civilized
tribes who are not Of Indian blood,
, kept minors and except aud to home.
~ IDS, shall be removed, and that the
tions upon the alienation Of
Aus Of other allQttees, except minors
and except as to homesteads, may be
removed under regulations TO be pre-
ls'-ibed BY the Secretary Of the Inte-
upon application to the agent In
: fge Of the Union agency in Musko-
& s who must approve such appllca-
! flons
IMMENSE AREAS RELEASED
Officials OF the Indian bureau say
that nearly ten thousand allottees
will be affected by this amendment
and that an immense area will be re-
leased Reports to the Indian bureau
from the territory indicate that many
allottees have decided TO sell their
holdings Another provision Of the
amendment authorizes the Secretary
Of the Interior 10 sell az public sale In
tracts not exceeding i60 acres 70 any
one purchaser the residue ofthe Greek
lands Under this provision about
million acres will be sold.
There was a controversy about the
bill providing additional judges which
imperlled its chances aud an agree
meut on us provisions was not reach.
ed until the closing hours Of tie ses-
sion. Several Indian Territory towns
wanted to he designated as places
where court should be held and a pro-
vision was finally inserted by the
house designating Madill, Weleetka,
Duncan. Grove, Hugo and Comanche.
This provision was stricken out and
as finally agreed upon the bin provides
merely for the appointment Of four
additional Judges, who are 70 serve
four years at 5000 a year. IN the
debate on the bin in the house. Rep
resentatiye Little OF Arkansas sub
mltted statement showing that un-
der present conditions justice IN the
Indian Territory was practically Inn
possible as tie courts were 10 far be-
hind In their business that they were
unable to try cases properly. In this
connection, Mr. Little quoted a state
ment Of Judge Raymond Of the north
ern district that IN his court he had
tried more than one hundred murder
cases and that In none Of these cases
was more than one day consumed
The judges who have been appointed
by President Roosevelt will ente
upon their dutlcs about May Is.
REGULATED MEDICAL rRACTfCK
A bin regulating the practice Of
medicine and surgery vas also passed.
II provides for the appointment by
the , re IN eaeh district Of the ter
ritofy OF beard Of three examiners
who are TO examine applicants and
grant certificates. A provision directs
that no person desiring TO practice
medicine under this act shall Be e.
cluded therefrom on account Of any
particular system or school Of medl.
cline he may desire 70 practice" A