The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-07-13
OUANDRY IN WHICH
INDIANS AND OFFICIALS
ARE PLACED
STATUS OF RED MAN
When it Comes TO Voting
Is In Doubt.

Washington, July 1s.-Indians in the
new state Of oklahoma win be anweod
to vote for delegates to the constitu-
tional convention. but there seems TO
be some question as 20 whether they
win be allowed the franchise after the
two territories become fun hedged
state This question viii be brought to
the attention Of the next congress for a
hnal decision.
The officials OF the bureau Of Indian
affairs are IN a quandary as to the cit
izenship status OF the red men, owing
10 peculiar wording IN the statehood
law which provides that the Indians
shall vote for convention delegates. The
Indians are much interested and are
sending letters of inquiry to know just
where they stand
A month before congress adjourned
the Burke act Of 1857 was so amended
so as to provide that when lands held
in trust by the government for the In
dams have been allotted. each Indian
receiving homestead shall have the ben :
eft Of the laws. both civic and criminal.
aud be guaranteed the same protection
as other citizens. Under this act any
in the Territory Of the United States
and adopts the habits Of civilized life
shall be a citizen But It Is furthermore
provided in this act that It shall not
apply to the Indians in Indian Terri
tory II is thought however that Il was
not theintent Of the trainers Of the state
hood bill TO deprive the Indians Of the
right TO vote for any and all officials OF
the forty-sixth state in the union. and
that any error Will be remedied az the
next session.
Major Larrabee. assistant Indian COM
missioner will soon take up the work
of allotting the lands and money which
have been held in trust by the govern
ment to the Usage Indians. Probably
some time next month the 2.1O0 mem
\ bers of that tribe viii each draw 16o
acres OF good land, under the direction
OF two commissioners 10 be appointed
| by Commissioner Leuppe and one by the
tribe itself. A little later they Will draw
another 100 acres EACH and then a third
allotment OF the same amount. After
that they win divide the remainder. Tho
/ tribe will also divide 5000 900 In money
which has been held for them and will
become the richest body of red men IL
the United States. Each Indian win re.
ceive about $4,000. The Indians will b,
prevented from a desire on their pari
/ to gain too much wealth by regulation
preventing them from selling their home.
stead land allotted 10 them by the gov.
! ernment during the next twenty-five
years. the land during that time will
remain non n-taxable. All oil, gas Goa
or other minerals in the land occupied
Z by the Indians will be reserved for then
use for the period of twenty-five years
4 AZ the end of that time this additiona
! wealth. which may foot up to many mil.
lions more, viii become the property o
| the individual owner of the land. al
other funds. except those mentioned will
I be held Ia trust by the United State,
for period Of twenty FIVE years from
January I. 1907 The oil lands may b,
leased during this time. and the royal.
/ ties therefrom viii be placed to IN,
credit OF the Indians or their heirs Tn,
Usage tribe Will not be precluded from
governing itself.
The department will conduct biennia
election. at which the principal chief
assistant principal chief. ana tribal coun.
ell, VIII be chosen The first election
will be held the first Monday In June
1908. Regulations win be prescribed b,
the commissioner OF Indian affairs Al
soon as Mr.. Leuppe returns about Aug
nst Is, the work OF readiusting the trlba
relations will be carried forward. AN,
! by thelast Of September II is expecte,
that the entire allomnt OF lands win bl
made Major I.arrabee said yesterda!
that most Of the Indians had alroad,
selected sites On order 10 prevent an,
delay when the official allotment take
/ place The commissioners viii also b,
appointed npon Mr. Leupp's return iron
san Francisco.