The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1904-05-02
isWHAT CONGRESS
HAS DONE
Laws Passed Affecting Indian
Territory and Oklahoma.

Important legislation OF interest Il
the people Of Indian Territory was
y S4nacted By Congress at the session
just closed.
lii 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 Okithoma, and
much Of the legislation they recon-
mended was for the purpose Of prepar-
ing these territories for > .tehood.
Representative Curtis, Senator Platt
and other members Of the Indian COM
mittees, urged that the passage Of
the statehood bill by the House should
ie supplemented by the passage Of
bills that would reorganize 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-
troversy 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 remov-
ing restrictions from the alienation Of
Indian lands and providing four addi-
tional United States judges.
(.An amendment TO the Indian appro-
Ttiation bin provides that all Of the
restrictions upon the alienation Of
lands OF allottees Of the Five Civilized
tribes who are not Of Indian blood,
except minors and except and TO home
steads, shall be removed, and that the
restrictions upon the alienation Of
lands Of other ailottees, except minors
y and except as 20 homesteads, may be
removed under regulations 70 be pre-
HSerIbed by the Secretary Of the lnte-
rior uDon application TO the agent In
charge Of the Union agency in Musko-
gee, who must approve such applica-
tions.
IMMENSE AREAS RELEASED.
OnIcials OF the Indian bureau say
that nearly ten thousand allottees
wiIl be affected by this amendment
,;Hd that an immense area will be re-
1eased. Reports to the Indian bureau
from the territory indicate that many
alIottees have decided 70 sell their
holdings. Another provision OF the
amendment authorizes the Secretary
OF the Interior to sell at public sale In
tracts not exceeding $50 acres tc any
one purchaser the residue ofthe Creek
lands Under this provision about !
million acres will be sold.
There was a controversy about the
bin providing additional judges which
imperiled its chances and an agree
ment on its provisions was not reach
ed until the closing hours Of the ses-
sion. Several indian Territory towns
nyanted to be designated as places
Where court should be held and 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 bill provides
merely for the appointment Of four
additional judges, who are to serve
four years at 5000 a year. In the
debate on the Aill In the house, Rep
resentatiye Little Of Arkansas, sub
mltted a statement showing that un- |
der present conditions justice in the |
Indian Territory was practically i'm
possible as the courts were so far be-
hind in their business that they were
unable 10 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 VIII ente r
upon their duties about May Is.
REGULATED MEDICAL PRACTICE.
A bin regulating the practice OF /
medicine and surgery was also passed.
1t provides for the appointment by
the judge in each district Of the ter
rItory Of board Of three examiners
who are to examine applicants and
grant certificates. A provision directs
that no person desiring 10 practice
medicine under this act shall be ex-
cluded therefrom on account Of any
particular system or school Of medi-
cine re may desire to practice 4