The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-01-18

developed civil conditions the fact re
mains visible that there are many
questions cf Importance to the tribes
that must he settled; that the end VIII
only be consumnoted when the indt
vidual Indian is given his allotment
and land complications have dissp
peared. There are also odds and ends
that will need attention. There MAJ
arise complicated propositions, bot
nothing on the surface is Indicative OF
breakers ahead. unless il is tho Stew
art bill, which is now pending aud
which commercial interes.s are bit
teriy opposing. This Jaw IN fact
shapes the future policy of the people
OF this country. It is mteaded p-i
marily to shape the AFFAIRS of the Ave
civilized tubes whom the Dawes COM
mission will have dissoived and full
provision IS made for the continual
tion or rather thu winding up Of tribal
matters, but on a scale so entirely DIE.
ferent that surprise is espresso
among those familiar witr the tuc-
tion, that such radical departure
from the present system in vogue
would he endorsed by the interio- de
partment officials as the best and mos
practical remedy for the red man, the
settler. the commercial and corpora q
interests e the territory
While Indian territory has been
striving foy the rast three years 70
lift res-ricsions on alienated lands
and when the chances seemed bright
it appearing that the Little biz woulI
receive favorable consaierat.oa, the
Stewart biz was introduced Th-
two bills are distinguished by ,heiy
radical differences. One would g,v,
the settler tho opportunity T. pur
chase land outright. tne otncr con
tams restrictions that settlers are try
ing to escape.
One provision OF the Stewart bin
provides fer The purchase of land by
the actual settlers Il requires a
permanent residence of FIVE years on
the land before tide can be acquired
The settler Is given that leagth o.
time 70 pay for it, but he cannot hope
for title utnil the terms Of the act
have been complied with
It is pointed out that farmers win
not purchase land ma country where
they must wait this Length OF time to
become the owner, conditions are too
uncertain With statehood the orde-
OF things would necessarily have to be
changed 4 is stated that in the event
Of ststehccd, there could be no taxa.
tia ON the land or at least five years
While the settler Is in actual posses
sion for he number cf years stated
however, he cannot be taxed until ne
acquires absolute utla The burden
OF taration. it is said. would fall on in.
habitants Of incorporated towns.
Those in possession of inter-married
surpluses could also be taxed. THIS
would be the extent of the taxauol
and the drain would cause a hardship
on many and affect business condi.
tions 1t is said that with the stew
art bin in operation the law could not
be changed. even with statehood. with.
out causing tho prospective owners
of the soil, financial loss.
The bill creates the Office Of a sup
erintendent II affairs in Indian terri
tory and makes mis- power autocra. .ic
with his jurisdiction lie will take
tho place of the Dawes commission
in an effort 10 wind up matters IN this
country and also re-adjust affairs no,
tween non citizens AMI ladians where
ever necessary. The extent Of his
power gives him the righ, 10 INSURE
into all past dealings of The indians
All contracts for future leasing oi
sale Of ,hc Indian lands are declare
void by the bin and their introduction
into any court forbidden
This is one Of The features Of tn,
bin thar the commercial interests
have bitterly assalled The bulk o