The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-03-10

HAMMERINC
THE COMMISSION
Senate Seeks Adjustment of
the Dawes Commission.
HITCHCOCK CRITICISED
For Delay in Sending the Bona
parte Report to Congress
Waited Until ApprOpri-
alton For Dawes Com
mission Was In.
HITCHCOCK CRITICISED

The recommendation Of Charles j..
Bonaparte, In his report on the condi-
tions in the Indian Territory, that
the Dawes commission be abolished
has increased the hostility Of MEM
bers OF congress towards the commits
sion and has strengthened them In the
opinion that new administrative
methods should be put into effect in
the territory without delay.
Ii is learned that an amendment
has been prepared and will be offered
when the Indian appropriation bill
comes up In the Senate striking out
the provision OF the bin inserted b,
the HoIfse providing fund to7be paid
as salaries TO the members Of the COM
mission, and substituting. section
providing for the appointment Of one
commissioner 10 take charge OF the
allotment work. The amendment
directs that this commissioner shall
be paid a salary Of $4,000 a year. As
there are four members Of the Dawes
commission, each Of whom Is paid So
600 a year, the adoption Of this
amendment would save the govern
ment $4,000 year In salaries alone.
IL Is understood that the amend
ment has the approval Of the MEM
bers OF the Senate committee on In
dian Affairs and that 1t will be offered
by Senator Stewart, chairman Of that
committee. There was great opposl-
tion 70 the appropriations for con-
tidaance Of the work under the direc-
tion Of the commission wheni they
were discussed bg the House but they
finally prevailed.
Representative Curtis who is chair
man Of tie subcommittee of the House
committee on Indian affairs, which
prepared that part Of the Indian bin
making appropriations for the Indian
territory. IS reported as saying that
lie would hold a conference with
President Roosevelt and Secretary
Hitchcock soon, concerning the sweep
ing changes which are proposed IN the
supervision Of the Indian territory
work. said he:
iWhile ! have been in favor %
abolshing the Dawes Commission and
placing the allotment work in charge
of single official, there IS some
question as to the adyisabiiisy ol
making such change at this time
Tie Dawes commission can complets
tie work within a year and half
and do not think a single ofiicla
could complete It within two years
at the least. The work IN the terri
tory IS progressing rapidly. Noe
that the claim OF the Deleware's hai
been settled by the supreme courl
Cherokee lands can be allotted and tli'
citizenship cases viii BE- disposed oI
40 that there should be 80 delay il
winding up the work Possibly tn
best plan would be 70 permit thl
commission TO proceed. There IS ~
doubt. however, that an effort sill b
made to carry out the recoElmenda
tlons Of Mr. Bonaparte, there IS feel
ing in both house and senate that tn
commission should be done away Wit
AZ once.
Representative Stpehens Of Texas
a member Of the Indian committee
criticised Secretary Hitchcock 70
delay in sending the report Of Nj
Bonaparte 10 the house. He sal
that had the house received Il before
took action on the Indian approprla
taon bin the section authorizing ~
propriations for the work Of th
Dawes commission would never hav
been adopted.