The Indian Chieftain. (Vinita, Indian Terr.), Vol. 14, No. 12, Ed. 1, Thursday, November 21, 1895 Page: 1 of 4
four pages : ill. ; page 26 x 20 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
THE INDIAN
CHIEFTAIN.
tlK
CHIEFTAIN PUBLISHING CO.
VINITA INDIAN TERRITORY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21 1895.
VOL. XIV. NO. 12
Vr
WE CLOSE J
Do you compreliend what this means; do you comprehend what it
is to buy goods at your own price; did you stop to think
for a moment that you can come and pick out any
Winter Suit or Overcoat of this year's make and
Mate is an offer williin reason aii at ice ton te owner of it
This is pouring hot shot into the ranks of high prices but we cannot
help it we
Must sell out to quit the Clothing Business in Vinita
....We mean what we say....
WE WILL GIVE ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS To -7 ch--
ltaule insti-
tution in the Cherokee Nation if any one can prove that our state-
ment is not as we advertise. Everybody that is anxious to sell may
make claims and boasts of all sorts but we are selling out to quit
and the difference is all in the purchaser's favor. Come and get
goods at your own price.
Model Clothing
. t"Mr
THE NUPTIAL KNOT.
Some Strange Beasoni Couplet Hare ITad
for Marrrlnc-
In romances and tales of lore the
hero anil heroine marry for pure heart
affection. Stern paps and scheming
mammas plan otherwise for their be-
loved daughter bnt she is invariably
obstinate and true love always cornea
in by a head. In real life however
many and various are the reasons foi
tying the nuptial knot. An ardenl
philatelist inserted an advertisement
rimonial column and the wife
tie wanted in addition to being able tc
boast of the usual good qnalities oi
"womanhood was to be in possession ol
a certain stamp a description for the
guidance of the matrimonially-inclined
lady collectors following the rarity oi
-which rendered it almost priceless.
We do not think this man would meet
his ideal in a hurry.
A gentleman whose hobby was the
collecting of rare specimens of pottery
made violent love to a lady a matter
of surprise to his friends and the lady's
own people he being always deemed a
cynical bachelor holding strict views
concerning the marriage question
who was the fortunate owner of a
lovely Sevres vase. Apparently she
-was nothing loath and responded to
his wooing fervently finally giving
him her hand fortune and the vase.
This person reverted to his cynical
views afterward and often told his
wife it was the vase he had been in
love with and not herself.
Cases where money has been left on
condition of the heir or heiress marry-
ing a chosen person are sufficiently
common; but surely few are so hedged
in with restrictions as the youth who
was to wed his cousin because she was
"cross-eyed red-haired and had no
chin" as the will read by which we
may understand that she of the dimin-
utive chin was "heavily moneyed."
The following is told of two costers
who brought about a marriage between-
a son and daughter of the respective
families for a unique purpose. They
had one donkey between them and
though the two costers were quite
willing to change about using the
animal in turns the wives of the hawk-
ers were not at all agreeable and many
and furious were the quarrels between
them. To mitigate this nuisance and
to bring the two families together the
marriage was effected of the two olive
branches quite unknown to the
mothers an arrangement fraught
with satisfactory results for the good
ladies were on better terms ever after.
A factory girl gave as her reasons for
getting married a somewhat unusual
explanation. Iler husband had for
long been "hanging around" but she
had not encouraged him because she
evinced no particular liking for him.
As however her girl friends were all
running to the altar she thought she
would likewise be in the swim and
accordingly made up to the ill-used
young man who was only too willing
to comply.
Bather than lose a valuable appoint-
ment a young man went in search of
a wife the situation he had secured
being only for married men as one of
which class he had posed; therefore it
was essential that he should take unto
himself a partner at a moment's notice
figuratively speaking. He had hitherto
experienced no affair of the heart and
the finding oi a life's partner was not
under such circumstances a very sim-
ple task. However he secured the one
thing needful to insure the retaining
of the position and commenced mar-
ried life and new business and duties
at one and the same time.
A situation agent declares that he
has reasons to believe tbisprocuration
Boot
Quitting Business in Vinita.
- r -
spouses is very often effected at tho
last moment purposely to secure
coveted posts whoso requirements are
for man and wife. He further avers
that he is acquainted with one young
fellow whogot married purposely to
apply for such a situation leaving his
bride immediately on coming out ol
church to make application for the
place.
Few persons would express them-
selves In so matter-of-fact a. fashion at
the farmer who wooing a widow
the owner of an adjacent farm told
his son that the lady's niece was just
the sort for him the girl being pos-
sessed of property in her own rights
a double marriage therefore would en-
rich the lot. Like an obedient son the
lad complied with this request and as
the farmer rented his own land throu gh
the niece it was a most accommodating
arrangement. Wc wonder if these
marriages were failures. For an
amalgamation of property and land
they were infinitely successful.
A man recently united for better or
for worse to the portly dame who had
hitherto ruled over his kitchen was
unmercifully chaffed by his associates
the lady of his choice being very much
his senior and in different ways most
suitable to her spouse. His naive reply
was to the effect that it would mini-
mize expenses because he would have
no wages to pay for culinary labor as
his wife had agreed to continue in her
position as cook. Her refusal to
comply he declared would have result-
ed in the attachment being "off."
Host unique was the reason for
"committing matrimony" as given by
a city gentleman. A widow lady had
appealed at a court of justice and
the culprit rather than pay the fine
imposed on him for certain slanderous
statements he had made concerning
the fair prosecutrix settled affairs by
marrying the lady. He certainly was
possessed of a coolness below the zero
of the proverbial cucumber to propose
marriage when it must have been ob-
vious to everybody the woman in par-
ticularwhat his reasons for so doing
were. However she like Harkis was
"willin" and wedding arrangements
went on apace. So sensational was
this marriage following immediately
on the lawsuit that the couple found
themselves the topic of conversation
at every street corner and considered
it essential to their comfort to leave
the country. Tit-Hits.
PITH AND POINT.
"How do you like that little
French girl next door Polly?" "Don't
like herat all" said Polly. "She calls
me names. She called me a ma'mselle
yesterday and I aint."
Willie "What does alimony mean
pa? Docs it mean all the money?" Pa
(bitterly) "Yes all the money a man
can scrape together and more too
sometimes." N. Y. World.
Abbott "I have never been in
Chicago but I have been through the
town a few times." Babbitt "I have
been in Chicago but the town went
through me." Indianapolis Journal.
"Talk about daylight robbery be-
ing the liight of imposition" said the
roan as lie shook his fist at the gas
meter "it is not in it with gaslight
robbery. No." Indianapolis Journal.
finest "By Jove I've eaten such
a hearty dinner that I guess I'll have
to go up stairs and sleep it off." Hotel
Clerk "In that case we'll have to
charge you with a meal taken to your
room." Lite
"Baker got into a rumpus with a
policeman the other night" said Pink-
new. "He offered to bet the police-
man he didn't dare arrest him." "What
did the copper do?" "Took him up."
I
BRITISH MILITARY DISCIPLINE.
Assertion that the 3Irn Are .Neglected by
the UOlcers antt Take Itrence.
The English array is the subject of
a great deal of serious criticism too
mucli of which it must be feared is
sound. The navy stands unrivaled
both as to ships and men and the dis-
cipline is good which is a claim that
can not be justly put forward for the
sister service. A man can be a poorly-
disciplined soidier and he will do after
a fashion; but an ill-disciplined soldier
will not do at alL The men in their
floating home are more in the power of
their leaders who have many ways of
enforcing discipline army officers know
nothing about.
Tiien again the English army may
be poor of its kind and the nation con-
tinue to exist. But the existence of
England depends on -the thorough
efficiency of her fleet; and when it is a
question of vital interest the English
are willing to make any sacrifice even
to that of money which is very dear to
them. So that the vessels and the
guns are the best that money can buy
and the men are kept in hand and no
serious breach of discipline occurs that
is not visited with the severest punish-
ment. But this is not the case in the army
and the officer unless he wishes his
life to be made a burden to him must
wink at many things that the naval
officer would "be down on" at once.
One of the greatest crimes a soldier
can be guilty of is the wanton destruc-
tion of any portion of his outfit which
is the property of the government.
Yet the usual revenge taken by British
soldiers for what they consider rigor-
ous discipline (that is the cavalry) is
"saddle-cutting" which means going
to the stables and chopping into pieces
with their swords the saddles and
bridles issued to them by the govern-
ment. I have seen a dozen instances
of this reported in the daily press dur-
ing the last twelve months.
The officers are not "in touch" with
the men and the real business of the
companies and regiments is done by
the noncommissioned officers and men
who are good. In this species of work
the labors of the "noncoms" in con-
tinental armies is shared by the offi-
cers holdinga commission. Here serv-
ice in the army is simply an elegant
occupation for a gentleman.
The cities in England do not supply
good material to the army. The best
recruits have always been obtained
from the agricultural population. As
it has become more difficult now than
formerly to obtain recruits from this
source the cities are called upon to
supply the deficiency and the physical
standard has been reduced. The re-
cruiting officers have never been hard
to please in the matter of a moral
standard as you will see by referring
to Orenville Murray's "Six Months in
the Banks."
As for the two hundred thousand
volunteers in actual warfare I fancy
that the service they would render
would be exactly nothing. In order
to infuse something of the spirit
of war into these holiday soldiers
every regiment of British infantry
has four battalions. Numbers 1 and
! are regulars the third battalion
militia and fourth volunteers. The
union between the two regular batal-
ions and the two others is a very loose
tie though in time of war some re-
cruits might be found in the militia
and volunteer battalions to fill gaps in
the regular ones.
The volunteers of London recently
had an outing in and anound Windsor.
The criticism of Lord Methuen the
experienced soldier in command is
6catbing. He remarks th" '" '
and
Shoe
P
field operations the cavalry in com-
mand lost touch of the enemy which
as that is principally what cavalry is
for shows that the officers in com-
mand did not know their business. He
remarks further that the pres-
ence of so many civilians in
and around the camp and the
troops during the field opera-
tions is the cause; that while the field
operations may have been a source of
pleasure to a few of the volunteers
tltey can not be looked upon as a suit-
able means of imparting instruction to
the many.
The greatest trouble with the army
here is that they have little or no ex-
perience of acting together in great
masses and in front of an efficient
enemy the whole machine would
break down. As long as the British
fleet can prevent the landing of an
enemy in England this country is
safe but if a large force does effect a
landing a couple of army corps say
it would go hard with the island.
I think the fleet can keep an enemy
from landing and that the English
fleet could carry the coast of an enemy.
But I do not think that England could
land anywhere any but a very small
expeditionary force and that even if
she could land a much larger one they
would be annihilated.
There is as fine material for soldiers
in England as in any country in the
world. If this country ever again en-
gages in a long war with a great power
it will end by a resort to a conscrip-
tion and the precedent supplied by the
United States will be quoted in sup-
port of it. The officers too will be
subjected to a different training and
the army will be completely reorgan-
ized. The best arm here at present
seems to be the artillery which is in
many respects superior to the othijr
branches of the service.- " -
FOND OF PETS.
The Mother Initlnct Is Strong in the I'e.
nialn JIaboon.
Female baboons in default of live
pets will carry around rag babies or
sit for hours in a corner trying all
sorts of caresses to overcome the
apathy of a doll. Orphans of other
monkeys or indeed of any mammals
of a manageable size are almost torn
to pieces in the ardor of competition
on being introduced to a colony of
childless baboons. The naturalist
Brehm. mentions a pet mandrill that
"was so fond of young animals that
he often took upon himself the occu-
pation of nurse whether the mothers
liked it or the little ones cared for it
or not. Thus on once going through
the streets of a town seated on a bag-
gage wagon he was tied fast by a
good long cord that gave him much
liberty. Seeing by the side of the
road a dog with a couple -of pup-
pies he immediately leaped down
caught up one of them ami was return-
ing before the mother had recovered
from the shock produced by his audac-
ity. She rushed after him as lie re-
treated with the little puppy clasped
to his bosom with one of his arms and
so vigorously did she pursue that the
kidnapper was placed in difficulty and
had to exercise all his resources to get
out of her way with his charge. The
wagon was on the move and the rope
at its fullest length when he suddenly
took hold of it with his spare hand
leaned forward and alighting on his
hind legs met the attack of the furious
dog most bravely. So stoutly did he
persist that the natives took his part
and permitted him to retain his prize.
His master afterward took it from him
and restored it to his great disgust
and. indeed he was extremely offend-
ed and was sulky and out of temper
for long afterward. X. Y. Journal.
House.
SENSIBLE SUGGESTIONS.
CHIEF y. II. MATES' FIRST ANNUAL
MESSAGE TO COUNCIL.
I
Suggesting Which if Embodied Into
Lairs Would Put the Cherokee Nation
in Good Shape Financially and Oilier-
wise -Improvements Suggested in
JIacy Branches of Hie Government.
To the national eourc'l:
Gentlemen: You have been
convened by law in regular ses-
sion and pursuant to the require-
ments of the constitution I submit
the following information and rec-
ommendation for your careful con-
sideration You should not under-
estimate the grave responsibilities
and duties intrusted to your care
Dy your con-tituents nor forget
that the initiative in all legislative
enactments must be taken by you
and that your patriotic co opera-
tion is essential to the ond that
the interests of this entire people
ma)' be carefully guarded and their
rights protected.
FRIENDLY KELATIOSS.
The records and reports show
that the innt-t friendly relations ex-
ist between the live civilized
tribas. In May last an internation-
a1 council was held at Ft. Gibson
I. T. which adjourned and met at
Eufaula in June. This council
unanimously re-aflirmed the state-
ment of facts embodied in a me-
morial addrctsed "To the presi-
dent and congress of the United
Slates" as to the condition and
desires of the citizens of their re-
spective nalions. Our manners
customs ond relations to the gov-
ernment of the United States arc
so similar that united action is
most desirable.
DAWES COMMISSION.
The representatives of the Uni-
ted States government known as
the Dawes commission appointed
under an act of congress have ad-
dressed a litter to ths executive
department of the Cherokee nation
dated October 30th 1S95 briefly
stating their mission and indicat-
ing a desire to be afforded an op-
portunity to present their propo-
sition. Courtesy to the govern-
ment which thev represent de-
mands that this reasonable request
be granted. I suggest that you
provide for the appointment of a
commission to confer with and
give them every opportunity of
meeting and ascertaining the con-
dition and wants of our people.
' EDUCATION.
The educational interests of
every country merit .at al.lJLimes
the patriotic and devoted attention
of the legislative branch of the
government. The report of the
board of education does not suffic-
iently detail the condition of the
primary schools where tho poorer
classes arc instructed in the ele-
mentary branches.
The law requires that the mem
bers of the board visit each school
in his educational district once
each term to ascertain the progress
and wants of the people in the
various neighborhoods. For each
failure the law provides that an
amount be retained out of his
salary.
In order to enforce this impor-
tant provision the members should
be paid only semi-annually and
the teachers required to make
sworn reports to the principal
chief.
In in j" judgment more efficient
teachers would be employed if the
duties of the board of education
so far as public schools are con-
cerned were confined to the ex-
amination of applicants and the
directors of various schools elect-
ed by tho patrons annually were
permitted to select teachers from
those passing satisfactory examin-
ation. No incompetent teachers
educationally could then be ap-
pointed and the' would be respon-
sible to the immediate people
whom they served and subject to
suspension for any neglect or im-
moral conduct. This method
would arouse more enthusiasm
among the patrons and be attend-
ed with beneficial results.
Last year we received as inter-
est on our invested fund for educa-
tional purposes the sum of S46-
405 SI. This sum was argumented
by appropriations at different times
and by uncertain revenues collect-
ed from various sources.
The salaries of the primary
teachers amount to annually about
S31.500 00 add to this the salaries
of the members of the board of
education and the appropriation
for books and in round numbers
you have S35.000.00 leaving a bal-
ance of S1M05.S1 for the main-
tenance of our three high schools
and other educational expenses
an amount clearly insufficient.
The deficiency was supplied this
year by an appropriation of $42-
000.00 of tho unexpended balance
set aside for the payment ol the
intruder improvements. No make-
shift policy should be pursued. An
appropriation should first be made
to run the primary schools anu
the deficiency after applying the
remainder of the annuity on the
appropriation for the three
high schools should be supplied
by the amount paid for board by
those who enjoy their advantages
This should be made payable in
cah and be made immediately
available If paid in certificates
the money cannot be realized on
them until they are audited at the
close of tho 3-ear and not then un-
less preferred. All warrants
against this fund are now paid and
you should not appropriate a dol-
lar more than you provide means
of payment.
The annuity for the orphan fund
amounts to about 818200.00. By
an act of the national council ap-
proved Nov. 29th 1S71 this is a
standing appropriation and war-
rants against this fund are drawn
upon requisition of the hoard of
education. It certainly never
could have been the intention that
requisitions should be honored in
excess of the annuity during the
year yet the depreciation of these
warrants shows this has been prac-
ticed. This charitable institution
for our parentless children deserv-
es your close inspection and tender
consideration and positive legisla-
tion should be enacted preventing
the depletion of this fund.
JUDICIARY.
The auditor's report discloses
the absolute necessity for a de-
crease in the expense of the judi-
ciary. For the fiscal year ending
September 30th 1894 the expense
on this account was 877SS2.00;th1s
year closing September 30th 1895
it amounts to 873277.50 although
an act was passed during tho last
regular session of council providing
for the incarceration in our nation-
al jail of all persons indicted and
unable to give bond. Hopes were
entertained that this would mater-
ially lessen the expense occasion-
ed by the innumerable appoint-
ment of guirds.and the consequent
payment of their board. Legisla
tion on the reckless appointment
of guards-is imperative. Standing
armies at the expense of the nation
in times of peace should not be
tolerated.
In this connection I desire to
direct your attention to the neces-
sity of providing for an appeal in
criminal cases. This should be
carefully restricted to errors of law
and attended with as little delay
as possible. Speedy as well as
certainty of punishment is neces-
sary to prevent crime.
In the event of prejudice or oth
er satisfactory reason a change of
venue should also he permitted.
In nearly all states the defend-
ant in criminal cases is permitted
to testify in his own behalf sub
ject to a searching cross examina-
lionand 1 suggest that you remove
the doubt as to his competency in
our courts.
Your attention is also invited to
the large number of civil cases
pending in the several coqrts.
Legislation changing the jurisdic-
tion in both cases so as to more
nearly equalize the work including
a mandatory provision requiring
the annual clearing of the several
dockets would save thousands of
dollars to litigants.
While our lawi provide a speedy
remedy by ejectment for the un-
lawful detention or forcible entry
Open improvements we- have no
replevying law for the recovery of
personal property other than
stolen wrongfully taken or retain-
ed. FINANCE.
On account of the absence of the
treasurer during the past month
the exact figures showing the in-
debtedness of the different funds
could 'not be ascertained. This in-
formation will be furnished you as
soon as it can bo obtained. The
school and orphan warrants are at
par while warrants against the
general fund are greatly deprecia-
ted. Much of the discount on this
class of our commercial paper is
occasioned by issuing preferred
warrants. Aside from the bad fin-
ancial policy of preferring one
creditor to another it is of doubt-
ful constitutionality. The uncer-
tainty of the time of payments ren-
ders them useless as collateral se-
curity with business men because
of their inability to calculate the
amount of other warrants that will
be ordered paid in advance. The
injurious result of the issuance of
preferred warrants should be ap-
parant to everyone However
la-ge the present indebtedness is
all just obligations should and
must be paid. The revenue de-
rived from the sale of the "intru-
der" improvements is already pro-
vided to be paid in six equal an-
nual installments. The revenue
from this source will be small and
uncertain. There is due us ac-
cording to the accountant's report
made to the last regular session of
council then the sum of S4.3U0.000
from the United States on account
of a settlement with the Cherokee
nation in accordanre with an act ol
congress approved March 3rd
1S93. Congress should he strong-
ly insisted upon to make an ap-
propriation to liquidate this claim.
In case tiiis is done a sufficient
amount should be retained to satis-
fy all demands against the Chero
kee nation. If our warrants aie
restored to their par value and our
finances properly managed there
can be no reason fur their depre-
ciation. The reports of the various offi-
cers show a surprising neglect in
the collection of the revenues. The
fault must be either in the laws or
officers' or both; the responsibility
is with you to revise tho laws so
to make them easy of enforcement
as well as to give the executive
branch of the government tome
summary power in the premises.
I am constrained to say that in
the opinion of many much of the
revenue collected does not find its
way into tho treasury. The re-
quirement of detailed reports quar-
terly by all revenue officers and
provision for their publication and
tree distribution will in my judg-
ment materially aid in the collec-
tion of our internal revenues from
all sources. Many of our revenue
laws need a careful revision and
particularly those in reference to
timber and hay. Violation of all
revenue laws should bo made a
criminal offenso. It is doubtful
whether there is any law prohibit-
ing the sale or shipment of timber
other than walnut and lumber;
while our law provides for the
shipment of hay and the collection
of the revenue thirty days there-
after. The auditor reports that
revenue received by tbe treaiurer
from all sources for the past fiscal
year amounts to 835.027.75. That
the treasury may be better protect-
ed against spurious or excessive
unliquidated claims I suggest that
you pass an act requiring that all
such claims both legal and equit-
able be first submitted to some
judicial tribunal for adjudication.
Either this should be done or the
principal chief should be empow-
ered if it can be constitutionally
done to veto the separate items of
any appropriation uiu.
PUBLIC DOMAIN.
The framers of the constitution
evidently anticipated that as our
people became more prosperous
and as our population increased
that we would become more avar-
icious in the acquirement of larger
fields and in the speculation in the
public domain hence we find the
wise provision in the constitution
that "The national council shall
have power to adopt such laws and
regulations as its wisdom may
deem expedient and proper to pre
vent citizens from monopolizing
improvements with the view of
-peculation." As to the extent of
I monopoly of our common heritage
iyou the representatives of th
the
people who reside in the various
districts are best informed. I am
unofficially advised that in some
favorite localities that a few citi-
zens are holding to the exclusion
ol the younger ana poorer ot our
people large areas of land for spec-
ulative purposes. 1 suggest as a
remedy for this evil that you im-
pose a tax on all land so held by
each citizen in excess oi what
would be the reasonable share of
himself and each of his family suf-
ficient to deprive the abuse of its
speculative advantages. This will
necessitate the disposition on part
of monopolists of the excessive
part of their enclosures and equal
ize the occupancy of the public
domain.
A registration law requiring all
improvements to be recorded as
well as the transfers thereof will
be necessary to make such a meas-
ure effective.
Much if not all of the monopoli-
zation of the public domain had its
initiative in the extensive illegal
leasing of land by our own citizens.
By referring to Article XXIII.
Sections 706 and 707 compiled
laws you win appreciate how dif-
ficult of enforcement our law is
relative to this exceedingly im
portant subject. The wording is
ambiguous the terra "lease" is
not used or defined and to say
the least capable of a double con
struction. To the rigid amend-
ment of this article your attention
is particularly invited.
In this connection I desire to
direct your attention to the survey
of towns and the sale of lots by
individuals along the Kansas and
Arkansas Valley and Kansas City
Pittsburg and Gulf railroads.
While the citizeu should receive a
fair compensation for his improve-
ments yet the nation should de-
mand that the revenue derived
from the sale of lots should be
turned into tho national treasury
for the benefit of the whole people
to whom this country belongs.
At previous sessions of the na-
tional council propositions were
made by various denominations to
take charge of the public buildings
at Fort Gibson and establish a col-
lege of high grade. Something
should be done with these build-
ings if a proposition of the kind
suggested favorable tothe nation
cannot be had I recommend that
you include them within the sur-
vey of the town of Fort Gibson and
sell them as other town lots.
CITIZENSHIP.
Section 5 of Article III of the
"amendments to the constitution'
defines who are citizens of the
Cherokee nation. The supreme
court of the United States in con-
struing this section in the Dela-
ware case decided that the adopt-
ed classes therein enumerated were
entitled to the same civil political
and property rights as Cherokee
citizens by blood. The Shawnee
case has also been finally decided
while the Freedman case is pend-
ing in the court of claims. The
adopted whites have repeatedly
applied to the national council for
a definition of their status. What-
ever might have been the differ-
ence of opinion among our people
as to their rights previous to the
decisions in the Delaware and
Shawnee cases the doubt is re-
moved and I cannot see any rea-
son why a division should now be
entertained. If we would inspire
the loyal devotion of all classes to
the perpetuation of present insti-
tutions so adapted to the customs
of our people we must discontinue
our discriminating legislation and
unite all classes in one patriotic
body. This class should not be
forced to resort to the United
States courts to determine their
status and incur the expense inci-
dent thereto when a satisfactory
settlement could be made at home
I therefore advise that you pass an
act according them the equal rights
as dofined in the section of the con-
stitution above referred to.
The supreme court of the United
States gave judgment in favor of
the Delawares in 'hs sum of 8205-
265.00 the Sha- .e.j 8191222 58
and the court of claims the Freed-
men S903.365.00. The amount re-
served by the Cherokee Strip
agreement to satisfy these judg-
ments with interest added amounts
to S1792S60.00.
After paying these judgments
there will remain a balance of $492-
947.42 which augmented by a suf
ficient sum from the amount found
due by the accountants appointed
as provided in the Cherokee Strip
agreement should be appropriated
as a per capita fund in favor of the
adopted whites in the event the
aboye suggestions are observed.
INTRUDERS.
Legislation has been enacted
providing for taking charge and
sale of improvements held by in-
truders "when such improvements
shall be voluntarily relinquished
or when the United States shall
expel the intruders therefrom in
compliance with ".stipulations" of
the Cherokee Strip agreement. In
my opinion the time has come for
this nation to take more aggressive
steps looking to a final settlement
of this question. If this land is
patented to the Cherokee nation
and as decided bv the snnreme
court of the United States and
the interior department we have
the right to determine our own
citizenship then it must follow
that we have the Dower of deciding
who shall enjoy the privileges and
oenentB oi using the public do-
main. I sueeest that vou take
such steps as you may deem neces-
sary or most expedient to urge
upon the interior department to
carry into effect the Drovisions of
the agreement relative to this sub
ject. As you are awtre under an
act of congress action on this mat-
ter was delayed unt.l after Janu-
ary 1st 1895. Whih the United
States government is doubtless in
earnest about the ulfillment of
this obligation in the event it fails
to remove them as specified this
department should be armed with
other means to evict these tres-
passers. I therefore respectfully
adviae that you amend the act
passed Oct. 1st 1895 so as to pro-
vide for the sale of all improve-
ments held by intruders whether
voluntarily relinquished or retain-
ed by them in their possession
The purchaser in his own name
can bring suit in ejectment in the
United States court. Judininllv
determine one of these cases by a
court oi last resort and the entire
question is settled. The expense
which this litigation would entail
would be small and should be paid
by the nation. This amendment
should not take effect until after
Jan. 1st 1S96 so as not to conflict
with an act of congress extending
the time of removal until that date
but in my judgment you will
make a serious mistake if yon do
nottake advantage of the oppor-
tunity now afforded before con-
gress passes another act granting
further extension. Important in
this connection is the perfection
of a correct census of the citizens
of the Cherokee nation. The last
accepted census we have is that of
1SS0; even the pay rolls ol last
year were not authenticated al-
iugh much time was expended
and expense incurred in their re-
vision by the several committees.
This cannot be satisfactorily done
without serious consideration as
the erasure of a name from n mil
adopted by an act of the national
council win suoject our authori-
ties to a storm of adverse criticism
and the Dreiudicearnmpd will mn.
der it of doubtful advantage. This
coma De acceptably done in my
opinion bv the aDnointment of a
non-partisan commission composed
oi one person irom each district to
sit during the recess of councilem-
powered only to revise the last
census taken as to who aro actually
citizens of the Cherokee nation
not applicants for admission and
report the result of their labors to
the next regular session of the na-
tional council for amendment and
adoption. This report should be
published in both languages al-
phabetically and freely distribut-
ed anions our ueoDle for their in.
formation at least three months
before its adoDtion. Mistake nf
omission could then be ascertained
and corrected while names of non-
citizens wrongfully added would
attract the attention of our patri-
otic citizens and could be elimin
ated from the roll before final
adoption by the council. Little
testimony would be necessary oth-
er than the records of the execu-
tive office except as to births
deaths and removals since the last
census was taken as the commis
sion would have access to the au
thenticated rolls of 1S80. tha
records showing all admissions
since then either bv the variona
courts or acts of council and the
several unauthenticated pay rolls
subsequently made. By diligent
service the work could be done in"
a short time at a comparatively-
small expense and better enable us
to definitely determine our own
citizens.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion I herewith trans-
mit for vour information and mid.
ance the lollowing reports: Treas-
urer Attorney General Board of
Education. Auditor. Hicrh Sheriff.
Steward Insane Asylum. Medical
Superintendent. International
Council and letter from Dawes
commission. You should spare
no pains to give the several officers
and the institutions in their chartn
a fair and full investigation. If
occasion requires I shall invite
your attention to other subjects by
Fpeciai message.
liespectlully submitted
S. H. Mayes
Princinal chinf.
November 13th 1S95.
The A'Inita Meat & Grocery Co. car
ry the largest and most complete line
of groceries ot any house in the city
or perhaps in the territory- Any
thing you want can be found their.
Read their trade bulletin in this ca
per and you will be convinced tbaV
they can save you money.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Marrs, D. M. The Indian Chieftain. (Vinita, Indian Terr.), Vol. 14, No. 12, Ed. 1, Thursday, November 21, 1895, newspaper, November 21, 1895; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc71412/m1/1/: accessed April 24, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.