The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-07-18

squarely on my record of deeds ac-
tually performed,
In this short space it is impossible
to call attention to all the many mat
ters with which | have had to do
during my nine years service as your
representative, and only few of the
| local and national items considered
most important are set forth herein
for your consideration:
| had the honor to draft, propose
and be.in charge Of the house during
its debate and passage, the per capita
payment of $500 to Choctaws and 5000
to Chickasaws. which will cause the
distribution of more than seven and
one half million dollars, Choctaw and
Chickasaw funds, and have assisted
the Indian bureau is liberalizing the
rules and regulations for the distribu-
ton of the payment to the end that
every beneficiary, restricted and un-
restricted, should receive his full
share by check through the mails,
unless laboring under some legal dis
ability.
The investigation conducted by the
subcommittee of which | was chair
man, exploded the spurious Missis-
sippi Choctaw claim. prevented the
exploitation of the Oklahoma citizens
| by avaricious agents and attorneys,
and made passage of the payment
amendment possible.
1t was my bill, II. r. 1865, which
authorized the sale of the surface of
the segregated mineral land, with di-
rection for the payment of proceeds
to the Choctaws and Chickasaws.
It has been considered my duty at
all times to urge upon the department
the necessity for expeditions sale Of
unallotted lands which are now COM
pleted, the surface of the segregated
mineral lands and timber reserve
land. the remainder of which are now
advertised for sale.
My bill, H. r. 1854, for the sale
of the mineral deposits, has been IA
yorably reported by the house com
mittee on Indian affairs, and is now
on the house calendar for action.
When this bill is passed it will be the
last legislative step necessary for a
final settlement of tribal affairs OF
the Choctaws and Chickasaws in ac-
cordance with their treaty agreements
Ny bill for removal of restrictions
was the first introduced on that
subject and resulted in the passage OF
an act removing restrictions on nine
and one-half million acres of land.
We have now a competency com
mission in Oklahoma with instruc-
tions to seek out every competent
restricted Indian of the five civilized
tribes. remove his restrictions and
place him on his own responsibilities
NV amendment restricting the de
partment in the expenditure of tribal
funds has saved the Choctaw and
Chickasaw people many thousands OF
dollars.
Another of my amendments placed
in the Indian appropriation bill pro
yided the consolidation of the two
Indian bureaus at Muskogee under
one head and has eliminated much
duplication of work, unnecessary eX-
pense and delay.
As ranking member of the commit
tee on Indian affairs, it was my priyi'
lege to be in charge of the fight in
behalf of the Hastings jurisdiction
bill. eliminating red tape and upon
authorization of this committee |
have made favorable report on this
measure to the house.
Some of the important items OF
national legislation to which have
given my support are as follows:
4 reduction of the tariff on the
necessities of life and a taxation on
large incomes, inheritances and muni-
tions of war.
Federal reserve bank act which dis
places an autiquated, indeNible cur
rcncy system by an up-to-date elastic
commercial currency which will sup
plv the demands of the trade and is
panic proof
The. Clayton antitrust act when