The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-01-08
LONG RANCE
RULE ENDED
A NEW DAY HAS DAMNED IN
EASTERN OKLAHOMA IN TRl-
BAL AFFAlRS-SELlS' SPEECH.

Judge Freeman of Carter county
called the conference to order yes
teriay afternoon in the district court
room and made a brief speech well
coming the Honorable Commissioner
of Indian Affairs and other federal
officials senator's, congressman, tri-
bal attorneys and county judges.
Judge Freeman said many stories
had been told of wrongs being done
in Oklahoma but he said Oklahoma
had done no more wrongs tnan any
otheN state compared with the num-
Der of probate cases on the dockets.
He said it was impossible for judges
to look into every detail of every
probate case and that in some in
stances designing persons had done
wrong but the instances were few.
He offered to cooperate with the
commissioner but said the county
judges of Oklahoma were southern
boys, that they would not be ridden
with spurs but they could be led
kindly a long way. He introduced
the Chickasaw tribal attorney, Re
ford Bond, who spoke briefly.
Attorney Bond said the days of
departmental rule and of department
tai domination was at an enc IN
Oklahoma. The end came when Cato
Sells was made commissioner and
would not return while he was in
office. He said the commissioner
was not here for the purpose OF fix
ing iron bound rules that judges
must comply with but he was here
to advise with them, to learn OF the
rules they had been applying and to
assist them in promulgating rules
that would make the procedure uni
form and that would give the tribal
attorneys the best opportunity to
assist the county judges.
Attorney Bond introduced Commits
sioner Sells. The large assembly
of Indians and whites, the hospital
ity of the people, the WARM hearted
handshakes which greeted him, the
proximity of Ardmore to Texas, the
beautiful court house, the progress
of the people all conspired to touch
the heart of the commissioner and
his speech was one of sentiment, OF
good fellowship and of affection ror
Indians and whites. He said he
had made up his mind 10 revolu-
tionize the manner of dealing with
the Indians in the twenty-four states
of the union which have Indian res
ervations. He said he had no pa
tience with the word "try" but the
word do" was a better one. He
congratulated the people of Ard
more upon their magnificent court
house and upon the fine school
buildings, he said they were evil
dences of intelligence and progress
The scenes here he said were in
spring and his talk was along the
line of the sentimental that brought
tears to almost every man in the
audience. When he referred to MS
responsibilities he grew very elo-
quent. He did not seek the office
for pay or for glory, he took it upon
the urgent invitation and in mis-
hands have been placed the material
welfare, the education, the religion
the progress, the health. the wealth
and the destinies Of the American
Indian.
The Commissioner spoke feelingly
of Judge Russell. He had known
him in Texas and said there he was
regarded as man OF integrity, a
man without fear in all the walks
of life and congratulated the people
upcn the placing Of the lives and
the liberties OF the people IN MS
hands. He also referred to Judge
Freeman and spoke feelingly OF the
work that has been done here by
the county judge.
Commissioner Sells said he would
make frequent trips to Oklahoma
he would become acquainted with
the people and their customs and
laws. he would eliminate long range
government and carpet bag govern
ment both of which are distasteful
TO him. Attorneys to help him Will
be selected from among our own
people. The best interests OF the
Indians and the whites will be con-
served Other trips will be made