The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-01-14

One OF the most vigorous ref iInz
Of the present administrator has
| been accomplished in Oklahoma Ii
II the reorganiza alton OF the probate pro.
cedire for the estates OF minor In
dian children. These estates involved
millions Of dollars The children Of
the Five Civil zed Tribes OF Oklahoma
are the richest average children In
the world, since in the allotment Of
tribal lands and funds they were
given the same amount as their par
ents. Their land holdings amount to
la;5zo. 80 acres and the enrolled mem
h bership OF the tribes Is 1911 0s. Some
Of the land p exceedingly valuable.
That belonging TO some members of
n the Creek nation includes oil fields
(which yield princely revenues to their
owners Some Of these Indians are
heavy contributors to the income tax
\ now being collected by the federal
H ! Eesorefnrnent. Up to June 80. 1914.
ninety Creek and Cherokee In
dams had paid the sum iof S6,231.6l
as income tax.
Each Of these young, plutocrats is
a ward Of the government and the
| whole nation Is bound to see that the
full value OF his property is secured
TO him. Unfortunately, this obliga-
tton has not always been fulfilled.
Faaerant robberies have been. com
mitted upon large numbers OF Indians.
but hereafter the absolute protection
of the rights OF all Indians In the
courts Of Oklahoma is assured.
I, The total number Of Indians in the
limited States exceeds 100000. Most
OF them are wards of the government
and Live upon reservations which are
managed with the idea of aiding the
ind1an towards acquiring civilization.
Their lands include 109,150 square
miles, territory equal to Maine,
| New Hampshire, Vermont. Nassa-
chusetts, Rhode Island, Kentucky and
Virginia. 1t is worth at least $500
600, 900. Almost two-thirds Of this
land Is now allotted into Individual
farms, the revenues OF which % ia
their holders. The balance IL ,,n-
allotted or tribal lands, the proceeds
Of which are divided among the mem
bers Of the tribes. The full value 81
al Indian lands, including oil. coal.
and timber land; and the herds and
personal property OF the Indians Il
estimated at nearly one billi6n doI-
lars. The United States treasury has
trust or tribal funds al, depos al,
amounting to s50.000,ooO, and indi.
vldual Indians have over S10, 200. 900
on deposit IN different banks Though
out the country. Consequently. The
indian commissioner has many sprot-
lens to deal with.
When Congress transferred the adj.
ministratfon OF the estates OF minor
Indians to the county courts Of the
newly organized state Of Cltatlornn
q greater amount Of probate i worl,
was involved than existed in any
4 other state in the country. Many
judges and other officials. as we'll as
private citizens, felt that the Sow.
eminent had no right to impose upor
the courts Of Oklahoma the burden q,
caring for the interest Of those who
were in reality the wards OF the en-
! tire nation. The court dockets were
already oyercrowded with state mat
tiers. In most instances the indians
had no one properly authorized 10 an
pear in the. courts for them and some
o. the judges We're not disposed to
give much attention to agents who
We're not regularly hcenser to practice
IN the courts Of the state. The state
was new, SO most Of the judges and
other court officials were inexper-
y lenced and few were dishonest. No
aw existed which properly protected
fhe rights OF the Indian. n
The injustices prevailed not "a
much from the intention of the state
ofiicials as because there was lack al
legal enactment in favor Of the IN
Hans and no one was directly inter
listed. A bill presented to the Leg
stature for the establishment of an
tiice OF. public defender. passed. hut
became Ineffective because of the dis
ontinuance Of the appropriation. For
ears Indian estates have been raw
she6 II not wholly dissipated, by dis
Ronest guardians and irresponsible
pondsmen who failed to produce Re-
borts In the few instances in, whacf,
he courts were sufficiently interestad
% call for them. b a
These conditions confronted Com.
missioner Cato Sells at the beginnir,p
of his administration. One Of MI
lrst oftictal acts was to call a con-
Ference OF county judges, prosecuting
attorneys and others Interested in Ia
Improvement Of the territaries by the
Five Civilized Tribes. At this con-
ference a set Of rules Of probate pro
eednre We're formulated. They were
promptly adopted by the county
Judges, and approved by the preside nt
Pf the State County Judges Associa-
ion. This approval did not lrenuire
heir absolute enforcement. however.
% the rules were presented to nd
Justices of the supreme court by COM
ptssdoner Sells and confirmed Nv am,
COURT last June. This action Of HE
supreme court gives the rules the
same authority as a legislative law
although It is believed that a law
stll be passed by the next ilegtsla-
ure. rs: 3 ( -.
Since the adoption of these rules 4
Gree OF special attorneys has been
vigorously pushing the work Of IN
Eestigattng the administration 81 the
Estates of minor Indians. Twelve
thousand appearances have been made
IN these cases by probate ATTORNEYS
and over 5000 estates are now pend-
Ing. These rules will be rigidly en-
forced and will absolutely protect the
Interest Of every estate. Their pro-
VISIONS are more exacting and. give