The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-18
StswaTt's Sill
A Leading Lawyer Of Chickasha
Analyses the Measure.


ticle on the Stewart bill recently
introduced in the senate
The press reports Of the Ste wart
bill for appointment Of superin-
tendment Of Indian Territory af-
fairs indicated that the superin-
tendment would be given inquisi-
torial powers over existing leases
and contracts for the sale of lands.
But the publication Of the complete
proposal makes it clear that no
such authority is contemplated.
The autocratic authority that is
conferred upon the superintendent
adds nothing to the existing auto
cratic system Of regulating Indian
affairs but does give is a resident
autocrat with an able atvisor
instead Of the Assinine Pooh Bah
that holds the reigns.
The du-ies Of the proposed sup
erintendent are only with indians
| and the estates Of Indians and it is
only in their dealings with Indians
that white men are brought in con-
tact with him. 1t is proposed to
invest him with all the authority
of the Dawes Commission in re-
| ference to allotments, contests and
| the enrolment of citizens, making
his action conclusive without the
| aid or consent of Mr. Hitchcock
| The courts cannot interfere with
his decisionS-7neither can they
interfere now with the Secretary s
decisions. 1t is proposed to give
him authority to place allottees in
possession without interference
| BY the courts-the Indian agent
has that authority now, subject to
review BY Mr.. Hitchcock That
change is a good one. He cannot
cancel any existing lease nor annul
any conveyance Of surplus lands
made by an allotee not Of Indian
blood but he may examine any
lease or sale of inherited Indian
lands and take testimony III refer
ence thereof. If he considers the
lease unfair or fraudulent he may
sue in the proper courts for its
cancellation and the case must be
advanced on the dockets. There
is nothing unreasonable or dan
gerous in the provision. II he
considers that Indian heirs have
been defrauded out of an inherl-
tauce in lands he may report the
matter to the Attorney General
and the subsequent proceeding, II
any, must be undertaken by the
Attorney General. Uncle SBm is
the guardian of all Indians and it
certainly is a proper case for in
reference by his legal advisor
when his ward appears to have
been swindled out Of piece Of
land There isn't any kick com
Ing to anybody on that proposition,
These are the only subjects Of the
proposed legislation that can scare
anybody and none Of them need 70
scare any honest man.
The other provisions Of the bill
relate to the sale of Indian lands
and the procedure under the new
system. Ifit becomes a law freed.
men in the Choctaw and Chicka-
saw nations will get their land as a
homestead and cannot sell any
thing, but all other allottees, in
GLIDING minors may sell all but 4c
acres, practically upon their own
application and the terms Of sale
are unquestionable wisely adapted
to encourage actual settlement and
! development Of the country. Tbs
towns of the Indian Territory
ought not to complain of the pro
vision for we need farmers above
all else to make good towns.
In the matter Of procedure ii i