The Thibodaux sentinel. (Thibodaux, La.) 1905-1912, 1908-03-07
INDIAN SOLONS
TN W0RDY WAR
Owen, of Oklahoma. and Curtis, of
Kansas, Have Wrangle.
DRAMATIC PASSAGES
Dsbate Between the Two Senators With
Indian Blood in Their Veins Enlivensd
Proceedings Of Upper House.

A Washington special says: One OF
the most dramatic scenes ever witness
ed in the senate was enacted Thurs
day when Senator Robert L. Owen, of
Oklahoma. insisted in tragic tcles and
with face showing much emotion that
the five tribes of civilized Indians were
dead, and that he, as member of the
tribe Of Cherokee Indians. was not un-
der the control Of the secretary OF the
interior.
The event was rendered ali the more
interesting by the fact that Mr.. Owen
was sharply engaged in controversy by
Senator Charles Curtis of Kansas, him.
self a Kaw Indian. It was the first
time that two men with Indian blood
in their veins had ever locked horns as
senator's in the senate chamber.
The controversy arose in connection
with the consideration of the Indian
bill, and was precipitated byAan effort
on the part of Mr. Owen to have that
bill so amended as to recognize the
citizenship of the five civilized tribes
of Indians by putting the word late
before this designation and calling
them "the late FIVE civilized tribes"
Mr.. Curtis sought to interrupt Mr..
Owen before the Oklahoma senator had
concluded his first sentence.
But" interrupted the Kansas SEN
ator. your property is under the con-
troll of the secretary of the interior,
and you know it,
Il do not" retorted Mr.. Owen.
Mr.. Curtis insisted upon his view of
the status Of the Oklahoma senator.
He did not contend that the property
Of the senator from Oklahoma, aside
from that owned as member of the
Cherokee tribe of Indians, was under
the secretary, but that his tribal prop
erty was. Il think you ought not to
be under control of the secretary, but
you are he said.
Il agree" quickly replied Mr.. Owen.
with the senator from Kansas. that
ought not to be. / disagree with him
that / am"
The dramatic tones Of the Oklahoma
senator startled the chamber. The
two senator's of Indian blood were
facing each other twenty feet apart.
They both appeared, to have lost sight
Of all parliamentary rules, and were
carrying on personal colioquy.
Mr.. Owen proceeded to say the SUI
preme court of the United States had
declared that Indians holding allotted
lands are citizens of the United States.
Rising to his full height, his olive
colored face showing that his pride
had been pricked by the suggestion
that he was under the control of the
secretary of the interior, and with tone
most tragic Mr.. Owen continued:
'The Cherokee nation can demand no
allegiance from me. owe them no al
egiance. The only allegiance owe Is
10 my government of the United States
and to the state Of Oklahoma. 1 say
The supreme court has passed upon
his matter, and shall insist that It is
light that the word late shall be
included in that amendment
Mr.. Curtis then took the fioor."When
you made that statement about the
0elawares being absorbed by the Cher
'kee tribe. of which you are member,
lou should have told how they were
swallowed up by the Cherokees," he
pointing his index finger
It his antagonist.
Senator Carter came to the rescue
It the senate, and attempted to show
hat both senators were right, He
laid he did not wonder that the Okla
IONA senator resented the idea that he
vas under the control of the secretary
II the interior.