The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-11-14

Okla1OLua Lltys Okla., NSs- 44.--Nfull.
gressman John H. Stephens of Texas,
senior democratic member of the
house Indian committee, and who will
probably be given the chairmanship
succeeding Charles II. Burke of South
Dakota, is here visiting relatives and
en- route to Washington. The secret
committee on Indian affairs which
came to Oklahoma during the summer
lprobing the so-calied Gore bribery
charges and affairs generally of the
Choctaws, the Chickasaw and the
Usage Indians, will reconyene in Wash
ington after November 20, when other
witnesses win be called. These viii
include ex-Senators Long of Kansas
and Thurston OF Nebraska, attorneys
for j. f. McMurray, who holds two
large contracts with the Choctaws and
Chickasaws. Another witness will be
Richard Adams, the Delaware Indian
attorney Of Washington, also McMur-
rays legal representative. The com
mittee will probably have its report in
shape to submit before the short ses-
sion closes. In the recent election all
of the subcommittee were returned to
congress.
1t is the general belief that republi-
cans of the congress will endenyor to
force action on Indian affairs in Okla
homa, particularly as TO disposition Of
the tribal affairs of the Choetaws and
Chickasaws. but Mr.. Stephens believes
that appropriations and other matters
incident to the session will consume
the time. He believes. however. that
the situation will be disposed of during
this session or the next one and will
support any measure that makes a
proper disposition of the tribal prop
erty. He does not favor wholesale
opening Of the tribal rolls, yet believes
there are persons entitled to participa-
tion in the tribal estate who are not
now on the rolls, and favors such cases
being disposed of by special legisla-
tion. or In a special way.
The prevailing opinion is to demons
mate tribunal before which the cases
shall be tried, requiring the tribes to
leave with the government sufficient
sum OF money to cover cases in which
citizenship is given Mr. stephens
also favors a time limit within which
the adjustment is to be made. In the
meantime, however, congress would
provide for sale Of all the property
and prepare for total disbursement OF
the funds, conditioned partially, how
ever, upon the cases referred to. 1t
lis probable that the act will establish
the degree Of relationship claimants
must come within to have their rights
restored. In making up the tribal rolls
as little as 1-256 of Indian blood was
recognized, but it is hardly possible
that future recognition will now go
beyond the third degree.
Congress will probably have before
lit this resolution concerning the Texas
boundary, recently passed by the con-
stitutional convention of New Mexico,
mr. Stephens thinks, and he is prepar-
ed to oppose any legislation seeking
to change the established line. "The
boundary has been established and ac-
cepted by both the United States and
the state of Texas. said Mr.. Stephens,
"the ratification having been given by
the Texas legislature in 1892, and it
becomes the agreed line. It was es-
tablished by Clarke, who was acting
as commissioner for the United States
The law governing great boundaries
is that where the parties agree upon
line, definitely marked by recognized
Representatives Of the countries af-
fected, and possession has been taken
up to that line, that the courts will
not disturb the agreement. Congress,
as well as Texas, has also accepted