The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-02-13
LEGISLATION TO
PROTECT INDIANS
FOLLOWING ADVICE OF SENATOR
ROBERT L. OWEN TO PROTECT
IGNORANT INDIAN, ETC.

Two DlllS IN ulTeCL SeQuellCe W tul'
ted States Senator owens suggest
ions to the legislature. in a speech
several weeks ago, have already pass
ed the house of representatives.
Senator Owen said frankly that un-
til the state of Oklahoma took steps
to protect the ignorant and ineXper-
i"rCed Indians, the congress OF the
United States would not release its
guardianship of Indian affairs in Ok
lahoma.
The senator especially urged legis-
lation for the protection of Indian mi
nors in the probate courts and guard
ianship procedure, and the bill by Hill
% Pittsburg, which passed the house
Monday applies directly to this point.
The Teehee-Felds bill which passed
the same day aims directly to protect
the ignorant full bloods in the sale of
"Cead claims" of land inheritances
from deceased kindred.
Is Strict in Protection.
The Hill (of Pittsburg) bill for pro-
ceGure in Indian minor and Inherit
auce matters, amends the present
laws to prohibit guardians expending
money on account of wards, except
IN sickness, VIXEN the amount is not
to exceed $25, unless the county court
gives permission beforehand. Re
lease of guardianship must be accom-
panied by proof offered in open court
that the release was obtained from
the ward now Of age fairly and with
out undue influence.
The fees upon the sale of real es-
tate of wards is fixed as follows: Up
on the first $1,000 received, 4 per
cent; for that between $1,000 and
$4,000, 2 per cent; for all above $4,000
1 per cent; and not to exceed In all
I $3.50 for any one sale.
The county court shall designate
two days of each month for the con-
firmation of all sales by guardians
o. real estate, leases for oil and gas
and the approval of deeds by full
blood Indian heirs. The report Of
81 ch sale so submitted for confirma-
ton shall be on file at least five
days prior to the date Of hearing, and
posted at the court house door three
days beforehand. Such lists posted
shall contain a description Of the
land, etc., and the highest bid offer
ed
Measure in Brief.
The bill by Teehee and Senator
Fields to provide procedure for the
approval Of conveyance of heirs OF
full blood Indians in inherited allot-
ted Indian lands, in brief, is as fol
lows:
No conveyance shall be approved ex.
cept upon petition of heirs and guard
ians of minor heirs.
Upon filing Of petition, court must
set same down for hearing not less
than two weeks nor more than four
weeks off.
Copy of petition must be served up
or county attorney, and upon the tri'
bal chief or governor or attorney, at
least ten days before such hearing
and must be published and posted.
The county court must appoint
three disinterested appraisers, and in
no case must a conveyance for less
than their appraisement be approved
unless it be proven by oral testimony
that appraisement was wrong, in
which case a new appraisement must
be ordered.
The county attorney shall appear
as amicus curiae. He or other per-
Sons interested may summon and ex-
anime witnesses.
Evidence must be transcribed by a
court stenographer, and filed as a
rart of the records Hearings shall
not be had unless petitioners or heirs
are present, unless physicians Ger
tieicate of disability is presented Any
person may bid; the highest bid must
be accepted; the money must be paid
into the court, and by the court to the
heils: the court fees shall be the same
as in probate procedure.
County attorney or persons interest
cd otherwise may appear to district
court if they deem consideration in
sufficient, or error made detrimental
10 heirs, or il there is belief that
fraud has been practiced upon the
county court.-Oklahoman.