The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-04-28


members of the board of Indian com
missioners, which is supposed to be
non partisan.
Why Grafters Thrive.
1t is pointed out that the present
probate court system is one of the
| links by which the Oklahoma CRATER
! is permitted to continue his nefarious
practice. Cases Of abuse on the part
of probate judges, coupled with charg-
es that the judges in many instances
and Indian guardians have worke d
| hand in hand to rifle the purses of the
| Indians, have been so numerous and
so convincing that Secretary Lane
! has given the matter deep thought.
| 1t is declared that he already has
| termed conditions in Oklahoma hor-
rible owing to the pictures which
have been painted and he also has
made the declaration that there must
be a change
Members of congress believe that
this change limited at by the secretary
means that more restrictions will be
placed around the Indian by the gov
ernment.
1t is believed furthermore that if
the method of procedure of probate
courts is made stringent and that if
this is done Immediately the depart
ment will have less reason to increase
its grip on affairs in this state.
Every member of the Oklahoma del
egation in congress stands for the
protection of the Indian. They desire
that his best interests be considered
at all times. The differences in the
past between the Oklahoma congress
men and the department of the inter
ior under the republican rule have
been as to just which way the settle
ment Of the Indian situation is best.
The members of the delegation have
fought for and are still fighting for a
settlement of tribal affairs They be-
'ieye that the red tape method of
handling the affairs of the Indian in
the state, which has proved dto be
great burden financially upon the |
indians themselves. should he remov- |
ed. Not a single member of the dei- !
egation wishes to see the restriction !
safeguards removed from those In |
dians of the state who are unable to |
protect their interests. In fact they
desire that these be increased They
do, however, demand that the compe-
tent Indians of the state be awarded
their funds and lands, that they may
assume the fun status of other citizens
and that the present costly admins
lration be removed in the main.
Protection too Costly.
Under present conditions the In
dams who are Just as able and prob.
ably more so in some cases of taking
care of their interests as the govern
ment agents who control their every
action, are forced to pay ont much of
heir funds for system of protection
)t which they have no need. Land
transactions are tied up. mineral lands
imber land and other possessions can
not be touched except with special
llspensation of the department. Ev
Try business deal must have the sane
lion of some departmental flunky !
Delays are the rule rather than the
exception in the transaction of mino~
business for the Indians. Deeds in
approved transactions have been
,noWn to stay in departmental pigeon ,
loles in Washington for eighteen
months. And, all this for the Indian |
competent to care for his own affairs. ,
\ general demand for relief has been
ought by past republican officials.
Under republican regimes it was
necessary to maintain political ma
hlne in the democratic state of Ok
lahoma and the Indian service is ,
Known TO have been the hub of party .
IctlVltv Indian agents have been
Known to actively get in the party
harness and pull for success. Minor
'ffirials in the Indian service have
worked diligently among the voting :
indians for the republican cause. And.
when the machine was perfected TO
nicely at the expense of the In
ilans themselves, along came the ex-
'cuuve orders throwing civil service
'ules about the whole administration
orce so that it could not be disturb
I'd.
The action of the republicans in
the force and safeguarding
ne administration of Indian affairs
is built up in the state. at all times
has been shielded by the defense I
nat frauds in the state require com.
'leN administration to forestall The
department. of the interior records will
now that the majority of the cases
u frand cited as examples why the
resent governmental system of su-
ervision should be retained, origina-
ed through lax probate court meth.
ds and abuses of inscriptions guard.
ans. Through these cases the de-
artment has been led to believe there
no other way of handling affairs
han through further restrictions over
Il Indians whether they be compe.
INT or not
Up TO Legislature to Act.
II is now up TO the legislature OF
'klahoma 10 remove the cause of all
omplaint against the states handling
such Indians affairs as are thrown