Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-12-23

fohu1ous riches, and the many may
he left with but surface value. The
Usage allotment act was probably the
only one which the government
worked out that did equal Justice TO
all the Indians, and the government,
in its administrative department still
desires to preserve that equality, but
a few spectators who have bought
ND the surface of some OF the lands,
now demand that the Indians be de-
prived of these rights. that they may
fatten and feed on these riches. I'm
der such circumstances to now de-
prive them Of these rights would
bound to the very heights of iniquity,
and l cannot believe that any con-
gress that can be made TO understand
the facts will do so.
Also. let us keep in mind that.
when the rolls were completed every
little unborn Usage. fullblood or
otherwise, is entitled from what
would have been his. except as the
same comes to him from inheritance.
There are many OF them today, who
will never see anything of the Original.
vast and rich patrimony or the tribe,
except as they inherit the same from
their ancestors Why should thelr
chance OF realization be cut off, SIM
ply to permit few fortunate ones To
reap the larger part OF the value that
once belonged to all. The spirit of
the allotment act was to make an
equal, and the only way this equality
can be preserved Is to reserve those
common rights, which cannot De
divided on a basis of acreage, except
| to make the few rich, and the many
poor.
| Our good solon intmates that tho
destruction OF these rights will aid
the state of Oklahoma and Usage
county. Nothing will 6ollow from
the change. The same oil and gas
will be produced, the same money
will ebb and flow in its golden tide.
| and the royalties instead of going 10
few, will be distributed to many, and
that is always an advantage to the
state and its municipalities Instead
OF few receiving immense royalties.
they will be distributed among many.
and that which would be a concen-
trated stream, flowing thru narrow
mountain gorge, as Mr.. Chandler de-
sires, will cover the whole plain ot
the state and county with many little
streams gathering into a mighty river
in the valley OF prosperity. Also. IL
the lands become individualized the
great corporations may gather as
/ muCn as tney Will, Dut IL TothlUt&s
as now. the biggest of them will bs
limited to $500 acres, and thousands.
instead of few, will be operating in
that region.
Like the sword of Damocles this
question of extension has been held
quivering by a hairs strength ove~
the rights OF these Indians, and IL
should be taken from over the gov
ernment wards, and placed in the
good right-hand of the government.
and let these spectators and manip-
ulators who hope to rob the larger
number of Osages of their dearest
and richest patrlmony, know that its
keen edge will be turned against them
as an extension of these tribal rights.
that they need no longer sit on tha
crest looking into the longing for
promised land, which was never prom.
ised TO them. but which, by all ths
solemn assurance of the government
and the plainest principles of equity
belong to the Indians. Once more
we are confronted with the simple
duty of doing justice, and when that
Is done, the federal government, ths
state OF Oklahoma, the county OF
Usage. and every Usage will be bene.
fitted and even those who have 50
skillfully planned to snatch those
riches and rights will have suffered
no wrong.