Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-24

lO-Qdy. the WnlleS OutnumDet ln0laus in the Indian Territory five to one. Not but that strenuous attempts were
 made by the red men to keep the h.
 dian Territory for the Indians. The
 attempts were useless; in swept set tiers from bordering lands--Kansas,
 Missouri, Texas-and farther away. Aa MT. Harvey phrases it: The Five Tribes idyllic seclusion was doomed by the entrance of the railways on
 their lands. They tried to keep the roads out, but the pressure of the ter ritory's barriers on all sides was too strong for them, and they were force1 to consent to the invasion. The first toot of the whistle of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroads first loco motive, speeding through the Indian Territory in 1875 in it's short cut fro1 the east and the world to Texas and the southwest, pronounced sentence of death in the red mans isolation. Like river of Italy, waiting for the water to roll by, the Indian watched the strean, of settlers flowing into Texas and New Mexico, but saw no chance that it would end. And then, wiser than the rustic, who may be waiting yet, for all we know, the Indian bowed to manifes. destiny, and agreed to lease some of his lands. It was civilization marching on."'
 Not to let sentiment obscure facts in speaking of the dissolving of the tribal relations, we must bring forward that though the tribal system worked fairly well years ago, later conditions found it inadequate. The tribes had their own legislatures, courts, and churches, and looked after their own educational affairs. With the changing conditions evils arose that necessitated the federal government extending its authority. Of course big part of the changing con- ditions was due to the presence of the whites, but whatever the cause. thero arose occasion for reform. President Cleveland in hls annual message of 1896 declared: "The condition of affairs among the Five Civilized Tribes has assumed such an aspect as to render it almost indispensable that there should be an entire, change in the rela- lions of these Indians to the general government This seems to be neces- sary in furtherance of their own inter- ests, as we'll as for the protection of non-Indian residents in their territory. {. The effort should be made to save these Indians from the consequences of their own mistakes and improvi- dence and to secure to the real Indian his rights as against lntruders ami professed friends who profit by his ret repression. A change is also needed to protect life and property through the operation of courts conducted accord ing to strict justice and strong enough to enforce their mandates" In 1898 tho Curtis act was passed. which is looked upon as perhaps the most importan. piece of Indian legislation ever enact ed. The Curtis act abolished the tribal government. provided allotment of lands to the members of the tribes and enrolment of citizens preparatory thereto, provided for the regulation of town sites and the incorporation of towns, and the interior department was given control of all education.
 The changes were not accomplished with ease. the Indians remembering the agreement made with the United States that they should have full power to their own affairs. It has taken time The Creeks and Cherokees wero the first to come under Iull operation of the Curtis act The tribal govern ment of the Choctaws, Chickasaws and Seminoles was to continue eight years from March 1. 1898. That time has now arrived-tribal government is a thing of the past.
 KATHERINE POPE