The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-01
Okialiotur.

Oklahoma has been wrecked
This is only one step in a plot
which reaches all the way from
Oklahoma to Washington, d. c.. in
volving millions in money and land and
threatening the future OF "A race. 4
plot wherein gmooth but determined
grafters have laid their plans to grab
the vast coal fields now belonging to the
Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian nations
and multiplied millions in oil and gas
lands now belonging to the Chickaslw,
Creeks and Cherokees. Two hundred
millions is a low estimate Of the money
prize at stake and the success of the
plot means misery and poverty for
10000 Indian mothers ard the unborn
babes Of coming generations.
This wealth is now in the hands OF
$4,000 restricted Indians. most Of whom
are ignorant and helpless and cannot
read and write. The remainder OF the
100 900 Indians have already been
robbed. These Indians are all Govern
ment wards. placed under the protection
OF Oklahoma by a confdng nation
which believed in the honor and honesty
Of the people OF this State
These Indians constitute one-thlrd
Of all that are left--a weak, helpless
remnant OF a race which once possessed
the American continent. Shall we in
the evening OF the life OF this people rob
the last survivor before we pass with
int hA atia ~
eternity? Shall we send the last ORE an
OF this dying race a penniless pauper
back to our common God? Shall II be
said There is no justice for the weak in
Oklahoma"
Listen while I unfold the plot.
Six years ago a progressive and def
mite plan to dspossess these 100000 In
dams of their estates was initiated.
The first step in the programme was
accomplished when by urging the doc
trine OF State rights the Federal Cow
eminent was induced in 1908 to sur
render it's supervision OF Indian minors
and fun blood heirs and place this
authority in the Probate Courts OF Ok
lahoma.
The next step was to wreck the De-
partment OF Charities OF Oklahoma,
which had sole jurisdiction over the
Indian orphans at home, and was the
only arm OF government, State or ma
tional. clothed with power TO protect
their lands in the Probate Court. This
step was taken by the last Oklahoma
Legislature.
In order To weaken TO the minimum
the protection OF the civil service force
Of the Federal Government the plotters.
with the help of the Congressional dele
CATION from Oklahoma and the Indian
Bureau in Washington. brought about
the consolidation of the Union Indian
agency at Muskogee, Okla. with the
office OF the Commissioner of the Five
Civilized Tribes, commonly known as the
Dawes Commission. This they did
about four months ago by "A special act
OF Congress. They also removed the
Office so consolidated from under the
civil service rules and placed ii under
political rule. They also reduced APP
preparations necessary to pay district
agents and others whose duty 1t has been
to go into the homes OF full bloods and
half breeds and personally help to SUI
pervise the estates OF Ignorant Indians.
At the same time these influences
aided in an effort to abolish the Board
ton. This board is a non partisan, nom
political body, the members OF which
serve without pay, purely in the interest
Of justice to the Indian. They also pre-
tended they were seeking additional pro-
lection for Indian minors in the Probate
Courts of Oklahoma. and secured an APP
preparation OF $4,000 Of the people :
money to employ Federal probate attor-
neys in all the counties where these rich
estates exist These attorneys are po-
litlcally appointed outside Of the civil
service upon recommendation OF the
Oklahoma delegation in Congress.
As the United States Government sur
rendered its jurisdiction in favor of tho
Probate Courts of Oklahoma in 1908
these attorneys Of course have no au-
thOrity under the sun except what the
courts themselves extend TO them as n
courtesy. and they are in fact an organ
ized legal force impeding any progress
the true friends OF the indian might
make, and serve the political interests Of
those responsible for their appointments.
Approximately $4,000 900 In cash OF
tribal funds IL now ready for per capita
distribution among about 10000 Creeks,
Chckasaws, Cherokees and Semlnoles.
approximately $50, 900 900 more will be
ready to distribute In the near future
among 10000 Choctaws and Chcka-
saws There are stlll nearly $4,000 sep
arate ledger accounts open relating 10
the unfinished sale and transfer OF title
20 more than 100000 acres OF tribal
lands, Does II require argument to
show that the unfinished business OF the
Sive Civilized Tribes is so immense that
ony lnenlciency in administration and
loss to the Indians can result from re-
ducng the employees at this time? Is
u necessary TO point out that the po-
Ntical administration Of Indian affairs,
which has been given full sway In Okla
homa, will make life a pleasant highway
, for the grafters?
Is II an accident that the DEPARTING mt