The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-01-19
TIlE SNYDER REPORT.

The position taken by Congressman snyder
with reference to Indian affairs almost certainly
marks tho beginning OF u change In the adminis-
tration OF the greatest trust department In TN,
governmental structure. For tho Indian bureau
has ever been little more than n trust depart
mcnt.
There In much IN what the chairman OF the
house Indian committee says that appeals
nightly to those who reside on tho ground
where all Indian problems originate. For years
there has been n longing TO end once and for
all tho governmental guardianship OF the In
dams II In natural. Sound business reasons
suggest II and the natural instinct OF CONNER
ciai progress ever uppcrmost In tho American
breast. urges It.
II would be easy for Tulsa. for instance, to
wish that all restrictions touching tho dcvcIop.
ment Of the Usage country which adjoins the
city---part OF which Is In fact within the recog-
nixod municipal bounds--mght be removed that
the natural growth and expansion OF tho indus
trial ana commercial impulses OF the section
might be unimpedcd.
Yet In moments when our better natures find
expression. we know that TO do this would work
a tremendous injury to thousands OF Indian
wsrds and minors wholly Incapable Of protect
Ing themselves In the merciiess ana at times
INSCRIPTIONS and avaricious competition that
would follow.
Even tho great care OF the administrator Of
this vast Indian estate has not resulted In pro-
venting many steals and acts OF chcanery that,
while resulting In the sudden enrichment OF men
who have known what to do with It, and who
have aided splendidly In further developing tho
community have. after all, resulted In an In
justice to some Ignorant Indian ward who was
dcspoiied OF property that was his or hers.
1Afe 10 a constant warfare between avaricious
lust and the more OF less natural impulses to bo
decent. We may resent for a time any decision
made by such impulses that block our avar-
iciousnesu. but always and inevitably wc respect
such decisions and eventually approve them
fully.
No amount of argument can disturb the fact
that these lands and their rich mineral deposits
are the property Of the Indians to whom they
were allotted and which is the sum of the PROP
erty they finally realized OF all that now con-
stitutes the west--at one time their homestead
without a shadow on It's title.
1t Is nothing to assert that an Indian ward or
minor wihou, the native ability to wisely spend
an income OF $500 year has In fact an income
OF $4,000 u yeay. Because such present mcnt
does not disturb the fact that the property from
whence such cuuic II MS ny every rignt
of sentiment and law; nor does 1t do violence
to the eternal principles OF right and wrong
vclved In any scheme that may be set afoot to
despoil such ward or minor OF his property.
There greater moments IN life uhan the
realization OF a lifelong dream OF vast wealth.
For Instance. that moment when remuneration of
such realization IL made In response to the Inn
pulses OF deconcy that no gentleman or gentle
woman will disregard
Therefore, we are estopped from giving fun
approval to the suggestions OF eminent practical
ly put forward by the chairman OF The Indian
committee. That reforms should be instituted
IN the governments Indian trust bureau We
freely confess. But there In sentiment which
must not only be constantly regarded very
highly. but which In the final analysis should
control which demands that tho reform he in
the direction OF .@n even closer and more jea-
Gus supervision OF the property OF those wards
confcsscdiy incapable OF protecting themselves.