The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-11-28

probate attorneys in my nation are
active, aggressive, capable and COM
petent, and in the year of 1914, saved
for minors and others Sl05 l2974.
and instituted suits for the recovery
of S9I55i6i. In the present year,
said attorneys have appeared in 6,612
cases, have covered by new bonds
1 S245,50O and have saved to minors
and others $2SO,59A5O. This saving
to the minors is not the only feature.
but il establishes precedent that
| the law must be enforced, and mi
nors' estates in the future must not
be squandered by their guardians.
The force has conducted probate
affairs with economy. fidelity and eff
ficiency and congress should appro-
pirate sufficient funds to maintain
such force in the future.
Leased District.
Few matters now pending approach.
es in magnitude the claim of the
NHotN'NH anu I NHl'Nd0dNS w ''ih'
pensation for certain lands known as
the "leased district"
Under the treaty of 1866. the Choc-
taws and Chickasaws ceded the lands
involved. to the United States for
the settlement of friendly Indians
and for other specified purposes, The
terms and provisions of the treaty
were complied with only as to the
settlement of friendly Indians. There
after. practically all the surplus
lands unalottcd to frienly Indians
were opened to white settlers under
the general homestead act Compen-
sation for part of said land SO used
was fixed by act of congress and was
paid per capital in 1898. The re-
naming lands so used, aggre-
eating approximately six million
acres, were involved in an action
in the court of claims The decision
of said court was in favor of the
| Choctaw and Chickasaw nations. It
held that when the United states
ceased to use said lands for the
| specific purposes set forth in said
| treaty the title thereto reverted TO
the nation. Upon appeal the supreme
court reversed the court of claims
and held that the title to the land
passed by the treaty, but stated, how
ever, that any claim for compensa-
tion on behalf of the tribes should
be presented to the legislative branch
of the government; that same was a
political and not a judicial question.
We contend that congress estab-
| lished precedent by the appropria-
| ton of money for the payment of
part of said land, that the supreme
court had recognized a moral claim
worthy of the consideration of con
gress, that the tribes understood the
treaty to be a lease, and not con
veyance, that the language of the
treaty and the law of the case were
so uncertain as to call for conflict
ing opinions from two courts; that
the consideration passing from the
guardian TO the ward was inadequate
and unjust. And it deyolyes upon Us
to convince congress Of the fairness
of our claim
This question has been given as
much thought, time and attention as
possible, considering other matters
requiring more prompt and immedi-
ate attention.
Enrolment Matters.
To prevent the passage of legis-
lation reopening the tribal rolls is Of
paramount importance to the Choc-
taw and Chickasaw nations. To de-
feat such legislation means say
ing and conserving Of the moneys
and properties Of the tribe, and a
more speedy dissolution Of tribal af'
fairs.
Proposed enrolment legislation has
demanded and consumed more time
and labor than all other duties Of
the tribal officials combined. The
questions of law and fact involved in
enrolment matters are so numerous
that epitome is impossible, a full
and comprehensive statement would
GIl a volume of many pages. Enroll.
ment legislation in 1896 marked the
beginning of a great battle which
has been renewed annually and
which has been conducted by means
unfair and foul The enemy's forces
have been conducting a campaign
with moneys and munitions unlawful
ly and illegally obtained. Last session
counsel representing thousands Of
claimants, many times the present
. population of my tribe. openly, un'
blushingly and brazenly boasted, that
the Indian appropriation bill would
not pass unless We agreed to the re-
rrrning of our rolls