The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-01
OWEN COMMANDS
SENATE'S NOTICE
Oklahoma Member Invited
Veteran Aldrich to Enter
Debate With Him.
Has Indian Blood in Veins,
and Has Personal inter-
est in Land Laws.

It has been a long time since new
Senator has succeeded in 50 stirring up
the Senate and compelling the old MEM
beTs TO take notice of him as Senator
owen Of oklahoma has done. BY MS
speech in opposition to features of the
Aldrich bill and by his participation in
the debate on the Indian appropriation
bill, Senator owen has made a mark
for himself.
Admirers OF Senator owen say his
speech on the currency bill was the
abIest discussion OF the currency ques-
ton that has been heard in House or
Senate since Congress opened. 1t is
conceded that when he and Senator
Curtis OF Kansas locked horns the other
day. Senator owen being Of the Chero-
kee tribe. and Senator Curtis Kaw,
the oklahoma Senator conducted him
SELF with conspicuous ability.
in the currency discussion, Senator
owen did not hesitate 10 attack Sena-
tor AIdrich himself, who prides him
self on his wide knowledge OF finance,
and TO invite him into debate. which
Senator Aldrich declined. Senate ira
dltion does not rate ii to be good form
for a new Senator 10 sail into an old
timer like the chairman OF the Finance
Committee, but in these days the
Youngsters of the Senate are getting
Defiant OF the traditions.
Owen Born in Virginia.
While Senator owen is one OF the two
Senas3-s VINO have indian blood in their
veins. and while he Is tall and straight,
with a strong tinge Of the copper color
u the red man, he was not born out
on the bowling prairie in a tent or a
teDee. lie was born in old Virginia.
at LynchbUrg and writes himself as the
son Of Robert J.. owen, Of Lynchburg,
formerly president of the Virginia and
Tennessee railroad. and OF Narcissa
Chisholm. Of the Cherokee Nation. lie
was educated in Eastern educational in
stitutions and has been a teacher, edi-
tor, lawyer, banker. and business man
engaged in many enterprises He de-
scribes himself as . conservative, con-
structive Democrat
II might be thought that Senator
owen. being Of the Cherokee tribe.
would be insistent on the Government
retaining the fullest measure Of au-
thority over the Indians OF the Five
Civilized Tribes Of Oklahoma. whereof
the Cherokees are a part. But he does
not subscribe to this doctrine. He
wants the restrictions on the Indians.
except those who are full-biooded, re-
moved entirely, so they can do what
they please with their property and can
shift for themselves as they please
Senators who DO not subscribe 70 this
r-ew contend the effect would be 10 en-
/ able white men, anxious TO prey on the
Indians. to beat them oct Of their prop
eIty. Senator owen thinks all the In
dams but the fullbloods are amply able
4 to take care OF themselves. that his pO-
I siriou is IN the interest of development
OF Oklahoma, and that the State Of
/ Oklahoma is amply able to look after
/ the welfare Of the Five Civilized Tribes
Bought 5000 Acres Of Land.
The matter is. personal to him, as hs
/ has acquired title. subject TO Secretary
/ Garfield's approval, 10 about 1900 acre:
! Of land in the Indian country by pur,
chase from other Indians land adjoin-
| ing his own allotment. He wants tbs
Indian appropriation bin so modified as
TO take the restrictions from the Chero.
/ KEGS and others OF the Five Civilized
! Tribes of mixed blood. This would en-.
able him TO get title to the land he has