The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-12-17

1
training of Indian pupils.
With the purpose of increasing the
efficiency of teachers in the Indian
service, there were held during the
year six Institutes or summer schools
in different sections of the country
Oklahoma, South Dakota. California,
Wisconsin, Oregon and New Mexico
At these Institutes courses of instruc-
tions were outlined, emphasizing in
dustrial subjects.
Probate Work in Oklahoma.
One of the biggest things accom-
| plished by Commissioner Sells is what
might be termed a reorganization of
procedure relative to the probating of
the estates of minor Indians in Okla
homa. In this regard he says:
The minor children of the Five Civ.
| ilized Tribes are perhaps the richest
average children in the United States
which condition results from the fact
that in allotting the Oklahoma Indians
the children were given the same num-
! Der of acres of land as their parents
and share equally in tribal funds. Con-
sequently when congress, in the act
of May u, 1908, conferred upon the
county courts probate jurisdiction,
there was involved a greater amount
of probate work than existed anywhere
else This, together with the fact
that Oklahoma was admitted into the
Union in 1907 and that the county
judges then elected did not possess
the highest standards, necessarily
brought about demoralized, ine1
ficient and in some instances corrupt
condition.
ut is apparent that many guardians
were appointed without regard to their
fitness and insolyent bondsmen accept
ed. It was not uncommon for lands
of minor Indian children to be sold on
appraisements influenced by prospec-
tive purchasers and for inadequate
prices. Excessive compensation was
many times allowed guardians and un-
reasonably large fees paid to attor-
neys Under these conditions the
property of Indian children was fre-
quently so ravished that when final
reports We're called for, they were not
forthcoming, and estates were often
found to have been Gissipated and the
bondsmen financially irresponsible
Altogether it developed condition
demanding speedy and radical re-
forms.
Many Conferences Held
Il found this startling situation soon
after my induction into office in June,
1913, and immediately proceeded to
effect an organization whereby there
might be assurance that this indefensi-
Bile procedure might no longer main
tain. Thereupon | arranged for con-
ferences to be held at Muskogee with |
the county judges, prosecuting attor-
neys district judges and others inter
ested in betterments for the terri |
tory covered by the Creek, Cherokee !
and Seminole nations, at McAlester, |
covering the Choctaw nation and like |
wise at Ardmore covering the Chicka
saw nation. These conferences were
attended by practically all of the
county judges, and after some ten
days conference during which all mat
ters and things in detail concerning
Indian minor probate conditions were
discussed rules of pro.
bate procedure were adopted which
are said to be more complete protec-
ton than exists in any other state
These rules, formulated under my di.
rectiOns after being adopted by the
county judges, were approved by the
president of the state county judges
and soon thereafter of
lIhlllS duOpleu anu promulgated ny
he justices of the supreme court of
he state OF Oklahoma, and have since
,een in full force and effect, a copy of
which rules are herein below set out.
Efficient Force Organized.
"To insure the prosecution of the ;
probate work in systematic and
Elective manner, force was organ.
zed consisting OF the best obtainable
ttorneys, each of whom was chosen
II his merits after careful and ex--
austive investigation, to assist and
cooperate with the county judges
his force was made up in part of
ttorneys employed at the expense of
ne several tribes and partly at the ~
xpense of the United States under -
uthority of section IS of the act of
Ongress of June so, 1913. =
Widespread and gratifying results
ave already been accomplished. n