Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1906-11-13
INVESTIGATING
indian AFFAIRS
A COMMITTEE OF FIVE UNITED
STATES SENATORS VISIT ~
DIAN TERRITORY.
ELABORATE RECEPTIONS
hearings Wal o. 6lssn and Test.
mons fer Use IN Connection With
Legislation by consrsss.

Vnlta, 1. r., Nov. ! 3~The ctammlt.
tee Of five United States senators
who are to investigate Indian affairs
arrived here today and were given an
enthusiastic reception. Representa-
tises III the prOminena commercial
bodies Of the territory me the commit.
tee here and will offer suggestions
as 10 desirable Legislation on matters
affecting the welfare Of the people az
this country. The senatorial commit.
tee will spend three days here and
wiIi then go 10 Maskogee. where the
investigations viii be continued 9th,
or cities to be visited are McAlester,
Ardmore. Tulsa and BartlesvsIle.
Al each Of these cities hearings viii
be given by the senators and testi.
mnny taken for use In connection with
legislation By congress. Opportunity
will be afforded 10 all citizens Of the
territory. whether white. black or red,
10 present themselves before the com.
mittee aud offer suggestions or testi.
m0ny- Elaborate arrangements for
the entertainment OF the senators have
been made by the people Of this and
other cities 10 bc visited by the com.
mIttee.
The coal land situation IL the most
important matter 10 be- considered by
the committee. The hearings at Me
Alesier will BE- devoted mainly 30
taking the testimony OF settlers on
the segregated lands In that vicinity,
and the senators will be importuned
to recommend Ia congress adequate
measures for their relief.
Among other recommendations pre-.
scented to the committee are the fol.
lowing:
The removal Of restrictions on all
land belonging 10 freedmen and inter.
married citizens and on the sale Of
all surplus lands Of Indians not OF
full blood.
The removal of restrictions on the
alienation Of the surplus lands Of In.
dams OF full blood.
A congressional appropriation for
the support Of the Indian Territory
rural schools and such other relief as
the needs of the schools may demand.
The repeal OF the Five Tribes bin
relating to the leasing Of the lands Of
indian allottees and the restoration Of
the former provisions OF the various
treaties and agreements between the
government and the various Indian
tribes.
The acquisition of the coal and as.
phalt by the government of the icy
state. the proceeds to be used for a
permanent school fund.
The improvement of the Enabling
Act with reference TO alleged defects
in the regulations OF the transfer Of
records. the disposition Of original
cases and other matters.
Much importance Is attached to the
visit of the senators by the people Of
the territory. as II Is believed that all
legislation affecting Indian Territory
affairs passed by the Sixtieth congress
will be based OF testimony and sugges-
lions gathered by the committee on
its present trip.
The senatorial committee Is compos.
ed of Senators c. ID. Clark of Wyo.
ming. chairman: Chester |. Long OF
Kansas: Frank B. B~randegee of Con-
necticut: Henry NJ. Teller of Colorado
and ". A. Clark Of Montana.
Senator Clark. the chairman, Is n
man of emipent legal qualifications
and Is PERHAPS as well versed In In
dian affairs as any man In the sen
ate. His familiarity with conditions
in new countries. gained from long
residence in the west, especially fits
him for his present task.