Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-06-28

NAL schools, public buildings and Tor
charitable and penal institutions.
Mineral deposits are said to have been
found in the Wichita mountains; oil, coal
and gas have been discovered in various
parts of the Territory, and salt and gyp-
sum beds cover thousands Of acres.
The Indian Territory Is occupied by the
five civilized tribes, viz, the Creeks, Chloe
taws, Chicasaws Cherokees and Semi
nolcs, and certain small tribes in the
northeast corner of the Indian Territory
who hold their land by patent.
Aside from the population which has
been attracted t. the Territory, there are
FIVE distinct classes of people having COM
mon property and citizenship rights, but
differing widely in racial characteristics.
viz:
The so-called full-blood Indian.
People of mixed blood ranging from an
almost nfntesimal infusion of Indian
blood to nearly ull-blood Indians.
lntermarricd whites.
Negroes called freedmen. who we're
slaves or are the descendants of former
slaves Of Indians.
Adopted citizens
According to the Bona parte report these
five classes constitute about onc-ffth OF
the inhabitants of the Territory. and OF
them at least taree-fourths are Indians
IN little more than name with from sev-
."ntN-iive to ninety-nine per cent. of white
blood and In great majority altogether
Indisiinguishablc in appearance. language
and manners from white people"
These people of mixed blood are as a
rule, intelligent. cdrcrtod and competent
to manage their own affairs
The remaining four-flfths Of the inhabl-
tlnts of tho Territory have no connection
Whatever with the tribes and are white
people with a small percentage Of Ne
groes. attracted from the various States
of the Union. whose citizenship in the
states from which they came has qualified
them for Statehood.
II therefore appears that Of the whole
population Of the Indian Territory scarce.
ly one-twentioth are full-blood Indians
BY the Cunts act and various agree.
ments with tho Five Nations. tribal
courts We're abolished July I. 1885 and all
tribal relations and governments Of the
Five Nations arc to cease when Congress
shall take action to that effect
Everybody about Congress is glad to see
the statehood question disposed Of 1t
was brought forward four years ago hen
Ia proposition was made to admit four
new States-to admit Okla homa, Indian
Territory. Arizona and New Mexico as
separate states. 4 bill carrying out that
programme passed the House. Represent
alive Overstreet, Of Indiana, was one Of
| the few members on the republican sid.
! to oppose It. He offered an amendment
creating two States out Of the four Ter
| rtories. In the Senate Senator Beveridge
E.
man Of the committee on Territories and
! by his opposition created what became
Known as the statehood blockade. To
Hanna QUAY crowd wanted the four Icy
rtories admitted as four States Senator
Beverage In opposing the four-State pro-
gramme favored the admission OF Okla
| hona and Indian Territory as one State
at once. After II was seen that the dead
! lock could not he broken the republican
leaders entered into an agreement with
| quay and Hanna that the four Terri
tories should he admitted as one State and
| for two years that has been the Issue be-
| fore Congress.
The outcome is satisfactory to most per-
| sons because 1t makes d State of Okla
/ homa and Indian Territory at once Opn-
! ions differ as to what will BE- the outcome
/ of the conditions that have been nut on
Arizona and New Mexico by the Ieeisiq-
! ton. At the regular election in Nnvor1 hey
| they are to vote separately on the dues-
| ton Of being Joined one state. If either.
votes no the enabling act falls. Citizens
| OF the Territory of Arizona are confident
that the proposed joint union will be re-
iect"d by that Territory. New Mexico. +.
| is generally believed. Will vote for the
union. In case the proposed union is ro-
j"cted these two Territories will come
/ back to Congress next winter demanding
separate statehood, but they probably will
/ not get consideration.