The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-07-16
THE PER CAPITA PAYMENT.

million dollars in the ChoctaW ana
Chickasaw Nations and represents
the closing chapter in one of the most
bitter and vigorous fights that has
ever been waged in the National
Congress on local matter.
These payments will be made from
the proceeds of the sales of the seq
regated mineral land, the unallotted
lands and other tribal property. They
were promised to the Choctaws and
| Chickasaws by the treaties long be
fore statehood, which pledge was
ruthlessly repudiated before our part
of the country had representation in
| the halls of congress.
Many members of congress from
other states having claimants in their
districts, taking advantage of this
situation, sought enrolment of the
Mississippi Choctaw claimants, in
order that they might participate in
the Observation-Disclosures estate. At
torneys and agents for this horde of
claimants claimed contracts running
into millions of dollars and syndi-
cate for the furtherance OF their
plans, known as the "TeXas Oklaho-
ma Investment Company had con
tributed a slush fund of 100000 to
promote their claims before con
gress.
| Notwithstanding this opposition,
similar amendments for per capita
payments proposed by Congressman
Carter passed the house in two for
mer sessions of congress, but both
were defeated on account of oppo-
siton in the senate.
| Knowing that this mississippi
Choctaw proposition must be finally
disposed of before the senate would
ever give favorable consideration to
the per capita payment, Mr.. Carter
made up his mind to end once and
forever this Mississippi Choctaw
contention. He had a sub committee
appointed for consideration of the
Mississippi ChoCtaw question and
was made chairman of the committee
During four. long, hot summer
Ihlerating their health with joy rides
and otherwise, he confined himself
to the work of the committee room,
making a record on the Mississippi
Choctaw matter, which resulted in
the tabling of all bills and resolu-
tions for Mississippi Choctaw en-
rollment, completely defeated the
Mississippi Choctaw claim, and made
possible the passage of the payment
at the present session of congress.
The provision under which this
payment is made was drafted and
proposed by Charley Carter who was
in charge of the floor of the house
during its debate and passage. (See
Congressional Record February b,
1916, Pages 243l to 244S). Certainly
every Oklahoma memoer of congress
rendered valuable assistance and
Carter would be the last man to deny
any of his colleagues their full mead
of credit, but his long service in the
house and rank on the Indian com
mittee naturally placed him in charge
of the fight.
Since provision has been made for
the payment. he has importuned the
Indian bureau day in and day out to
authorize liberal rules and regula-
tions for distribution, and has finally
succeeded to the extent that every
beneficiary, restricted and unrestrict-
ed. is receiving his full share by
check through the mail. unless labor
ing under some legal disability. But
for the presence in the national house
! of representatives OF some member
with a thorough understanding and
personal interest in this payment mat
ter it might have dragged out for
| twenty years to come. without result,
or worse, perhaps. the entire amount
might have been consumed by the
| bogus claimants for enrolment and
the Oklahoma Indians entitled there
to. thereby deprived of their Just in
I heritance.
Every Choctaw, when ne receives
his $500. and every Chickasaw. when
he receives his 5000. will not forget
that this payment was made possible
/ by the uutiring efforts of Charley
! Carter. When the Indian receives his
money. he will pay his debts, pur-
chase supplies, and improve his al