The Indian Chieftain. (Vinita, Indian Terr.), Vol. 14, No. 14, Ed. 1, Thursday, December 5, 1895 Page: 1 of 4
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J
THE INDIAN
CHIEFTAIN.
CHIEFTAIN PUBLISHING CO.
VINITA INDIAN TERRITORY THURSDAY DECEMBER 5 1895.
VOL. XIV. NO. 14.
tdHKP
Mors Than Half of if Closed Ou
Ti
We have closed out more than half our stock already in these few
past short weeks and if they keep on going out at that lively
rate we are more than satisfied that we will accomplish our
aim in closing out what is left between this and January.
We have done as we advertised; we lived up to all
our promises; we have sold merchandise at the
price we have advertised. People come
saw and bought.
We iirt id Minal away i lit Sellii linn Smtliii
Price did not cut any figure with us. We gladly accepted anybodys and everybodys ready
cash if it only gave us cost for our goods and in many instances even less. Our mind was
made up to quit business and we will surely carry out our intentions to the letter until every
dollars worth of merchandise is gone out of the house.
Dry (nils Sale Still In
Dry Goods Cloaks and Capos
llll
at Your Own Price.
TO THE PUBLIC:
Everybody. is aware of the recent White Clerk law passed by the Cherokee council. The law is a good one
indeed but it will force a good many houses out of business; only those houses that remain will reap
jthe harvest. Prices will go up; way high. Monopoly will be the life of trade. Fewer
stores and higherpric.es; that will make the rich richer and the poor poorer. No
-is one can afford to let an opportunity of that kind slip by where you can get
. anything in the way of Men's or boys wear at almost your own . .
price. Come and act quickly; don't delay. Buy . -
enough for yourself and boys to last you three
years; it will yield a better income
than a crop of corn at eighteen
cents per bushel.
Model Clothing Boot and Shoe House.
Quitting Business in Vinita.
Butter Eggs Turkeys Ducks and
Chickens are as good as the money
bring anything you have in this
line and Ave will trade with you.
GROCERIES CHEAPER THAN
rz
V
ANY HOUSE IN THE NATION.
A RED HOT REPORT.
THEDATTES COMMISSION DENOUN-
CES THE PKESENT ST.STEM.
Sarrow-Xinded Oligsrchies In Full
Control In the CiTlIized Nations-
Treaty Rights lonsr Tolded-Prompt
Action by Congress Demanded.
Washington.. 29. By far
the mosthwjrrftant feature of the
annnJSnnrt of Secretary Smith
rTfho inierinr denartment. so far
as the southwest is concerned is
the report of the Dawes commis-
sion in regard to its negotiations
ftth the five civilized tribes of In-
dians in the Indian Territory.
This presents the correspondence
of the commissioners with the
chiefs of the five tribes and an ac-
pount of the methods by which the
chiefs came to unitedly present an
opposing front to any effective
negotiations ot any sort.
The failure of the commission
hpinw thus detailed the report pro
ceeds: "In connection with the
official interests hereby brifly out-
lined the commission availed
themselves of every opportunity of
conference with private citizens of
several nations men of character
and influence among their people.
By visits to the various localities
they familiarized themselves with
the conditions of life and the opin-
- J I...!: .-Lint. nravall
lOnS anu prejumueo nmv-u yii.u.
in the different sections and adapt-
ed the methods of their attempt at
negotiations to tnese conuiuons.
But thus far they have met with no
favorable response among those
holding power and controlling the
political machinery in the govern-
ments now existing in the terri-
tory. It is otherwise with those
believed to be a large majority
who in the machinery' by "which
affairs are administered are with-
out voice or participation in the
policy or laws by which they are
governed. The causes which
thus far have proved insurmount-
able in all the efforts at a peace-
able solution of the problem by
negotiation can only be under-
stood bv a thorough knowledge of
the conditions into which these
people have been permitted to tail
by the indifference and non-interference
of the national govern-
ment. L'NDER THE CONTROL OF A FEW.
"The commission has heretofore
reported how completely the
tribal governments have fallen un-
der the control of the mixed bloods
snd adopted citizens and have
been used by them to secure to the
exclusive use and private gain of a
lew ol their own number much of
the tribal property on the land
and from other resources every-
thing valuable and capable of pro-
ducing profit. More than a third
of the whole territory of one of the
nations is exclusively appropriat-
ed and fenced in by barbed wire to
the sole use of a few citizeris for
pasturage. In others of these na-
tions under eiinilar legislation vast
and rich deposits ol coal of incal-
culable value have been appropri
ated bv a few to the exclusion of
the rest of the tribe and to the
great profit of those wiio operate
them and appropriate their pro-
ducts to their individual use. Sim-
ilar legislation has enabled private
individuals to appropriate the tim-
hprnf rn?t nine forests and denude
the public domain of this essential
element of future development and
growth. In short almost every-
thing of tribal property in which
every citizen Indian has of right
an equal share has if of an-value
been appropriated to use and gain
of the few.while the real full blood
has been left destitute and crowd-
ed out upon the mountains and un-
productive land to take care of
himself as best he can. This con-
dition of affairs has not improved
since the last report ot the com-
mission. On the contrary the in-
dications are very manifest that
the discussion of the question of a
possible change has hal the effect
of stimulating unusual activity in
efforts to realize as nearly as pos-
sible all available gains arising
from this exclusive appropriation
nfthnsfl of rnmmon nronertv.
The grasp of those holding power
upon the tribal resources has be-
come firmer and the uses to which
the powers of the government have
been put for the benefit ot the few
have become more palpable ana
flagrant. These thus prostituting
the forms of their laws to private
gain have btcome so open and
bold in their operations as in
many cases to freely avow that the
terms upon which they may be
corrupted are made more easy it.
view of the possibility that the op-
portunity for such gain may be
short."
HABDSnirS OF TOWN BUILDERS.
Of the Indian Territory towns it
is said: "These towns have been
built and peopled by white
resideuts whose capUal lias been
invested in large amounts in
structures necessary for the great
and increasing trade which is be-
ing carried on at these centers.
Costly and attractive residences
have been erected in many of them
and in character they compare fav-
orably with like towns in any of
the new states. They vary in pop-
ulation at the present time from
SIX) to 5000 inhabitants and with
few exceptions are doing a sur-
prisingly large and prosperous
business. And yet those who
builded these towns invested their
capital in these expensive struc-
tures and have made these beauti-
ful homes have no title to the land
on which they rest. This remains
in the nation whero it was placed
by the original treaty seventy
years ago subject to a reversion to
the United States when the tribe
ceases to exist."
The commission refers to the
bill prepared by townspeople to
secure to themselves ownership of
lots with power to maintain a
suitable government. The Ind
ians bitterly opposed the 'clause
which enabled citizens of the Unit-
ed States not Indian citizens to ob-
I tain titles to lots and it was de-
clared that under no conditions
would a United States citizen be
permitted to gain such title. The
commission was not able therefore
to secure from these - nations an'
agreement which if ratified by
congress would put these growing
and multiplying towns in any sate
and permanent position or secure
to their residents the authority to
so govern them as to maintain
good order and secure health and
prosperity to all whose business
or homes are within their borders.
So long as the present autonomy
remains this unsafe and precar-
ious condition of affairs must hang
over these communities.
Of the acts of the Cherokee na-
tion with respect to these claimed
by it to be intruders the com. nis-
sion reported: "The commission-
ers are. of the opinion that if citi-
zenship is left without control or
supervision to the absolute deter-
mination of tribal authorities
with power to decitizenize at will
the greatest injustice will bo per-
petrated." TERRITORV GOVERNMENTS SCORED.
Then the report continues; "A
greater familiarity with the con-
dition of affairs in the territory
than the commission had at the
time of making its last report does
not enable it to abate anything of
its representation ot the deplor
able state of affairs as therein stat-
ed. They are not only compelled
to reaffirm all that they reported
of the the utter perversion of jus-
tice by those who had gotten pos-
session of the machinery and funds
of the administration in this terri-
tory inflicting in its name and
that of the law-making power ir-
reparable wrongs and outrages
upon a hapless people for their
own gain but they are compelled
to report that statistics and incon-
trovertible evidence show a much
more deplorable and intolerable
stale of affairs than vas then rep-
resented. If the end of govern-
ment and tho administration of
justice is the proteption of the life
and liberty and property of the
citizen then the government and
courts of these nations are a fail-
ure for they afford that protection
to neither and the)' are powerless
to these ends and the victims of
this misrule are helpless sufferers
at the mercy of tho malign influ-
ences which dominate every dr.
partment and branch of the gov-
ernments as administered hore.
It matters little except as to the
character of the remedy whether
this failure and misrule arises from
impotence or wilful and corrupt
purpose the evil consequences
are incalculable and its continu-
ance unjustifiable. In addition to
these statistics of prevalent crime
taken lrom judicial records and
other authentic sources there is
equal"' clear evidence of an organ-
ized force in active operation intim-
idating and putting in peril wit-
nesses who appear in f ourt to testi-
fy ' for the government in these
cases. In cases of the most serious
character now pending in these
courts the witnesses havebeenon6
Jyysone secretly assassinated; in
Pothers they have disappeared and
whether slain or not is not likely
1 to be known until by the failure of
justice thus brought about those
I charged with the most atrocious
crimes have gone free
INTIMIDATION aND TERRORISM
I "In spite of the best efforts of
i the United States courts there is
. for this reason a most lamentably
! frequent failure of bringing to jus-
I tice those guilty of the most fla-
i grant crimes in the Indian Terri-
j tory. Terrorism and intimidation
are extended even to those who
! appear btfore the commission with
I information as to the condition of
! affairs in tiie territory and. offer
' their views as to necessary changes.
Not infrequently have highly res-
j pected citizens of these nations
I requested the commission to with
hold their names lrom any con-
nection with the statements made
by them as a necessary precaution
to personal safety and in discus-
sion among themselves oftheques-
liuns involved they for the same
reason lase care mat u snail ue
only in theqiresence of those of
whom they can trust not to betray
them to others who are hostile to
the objects of this commission.
Recently the mayor of one of the
towns which have sprung up in
the territory a man of known in
tegrity and iireproachable charac-
ter appeared before the commis-
sion and presented his knowledge
of the condition of affairs and his
views of the necessity of a change.
In a few days the commission was
in receipt of a letter from him
informing them that he had been
followed into Missouri where he
went on business by two armed
Indians who informed him that
he vould be killed if he returned
home through the territory. He
called up.m the commission for
protection which it had no power
to give. This is not a singular in-
stance but the like of it is so fre-
quent as to disclose a condition of
affairs as deplorable as it is intol-
erable." THE COMMISSION'S WORK THWARTED.
The conclusions of the commis-
sion are stated with as much vigor
as could be asked as follows; "The
commission was charged with the
duty of negotiation only. They
have been clothed with no author-
ity beyond presenting to these na-
tions such reasons as might induce
them to consent to a change of
their tribal holdings and govern-
ments upon terms that shall be
just and equable to all concerned
to be made binding only after rati-
fication by the tribes themselves
and the United States. Keeping
strictly within their instructions
they have presented to these na-
tions every argument and consid-
eration open to them calculated to
make clear the necessity the jus-
tice and the benefit of such a
change in tho tenure of their tribal
propertyand in their tribal gov-
ernments as will conform all to
bur national system and prepare
them to become a part of it. The
commission 'has lound however
that those haying authority to coti-
AaL r. bhdgett.
sider these proposed-changes are!
me very persons wnose interest h
is to prevent them and that the
longer the present conditions con-
tinue the greater will be their gain.
Ever)' selfish instinct of those
holding the power to consider
propositions for a change is there-
fore arrayed against its exercise.
They have declined directly or ig-
nored altogether all formal prop
ositions tor negotiation made to
them and in informal conferences
have made it clear that no consid-
erations the commission has au-
thority to present will induce them
to voluntarily relinquish their pres-
ent opportunities for vast gain and
consent to share equally with all
the Indian citizens that tribal
property the United States origin-
ally placed in tho custody of these
nations' for the common use of all
or to exchange the power they
now possess to perpetuate their
exclusivo use of common properly
and dictate the character and terms
nf firivernment under which these
people livo for anything analogous
to the institutions of our own gov
ernment by which they are sur-
rounded. The very men who in
the manner heretofore described
have got in their personal grasp
the vast tribal wealth of these na-
tions elect and control the legis-
lators in their councils and de-
nominate the work of this com-
mission as the interference of a
foreign power not to be tolerated
and seek to punish with the penal-
ties of treason any citizen Indian
found advocating a change that
shall require all rights and equal
participation.
TUB PRESENT SYSTEM ICIOUS.
"The commission is compelled
to report that so long as power in
these nations remains in the hands
f time iifiu PTprp!inff it
fqrther effort to induce them by
negotiation to voluntarily agree
upon a change that will restore to
the people tho benefit of the tribal
property and that security and
order in government enjoyed by
the people of the United States
win ue in vain i lie commission
is therefore brought to the con
sideration of the question; What
is the duty of the United States
government toward the people
Indian citizens and United States
citizens rosiding in this territory
under governments which it has
itsell erected within its own bord-
ers? No one conversant with the
situation can doubt that it is im-
possible of continuance. It is of a
nature that inevitably grows worse
and basin itself no power of re-
generation. Its own history bears
testimony to this truth. The con-
dition is ever day becoming more
acute and serious. It has as little
power as disposition for set re-
form. Nothing has b.een mado
more clear to the commission than
that a change if it comes at all
must be wrought out by the au-
thority of the United States. This
people have been wisely given
every opportunity anil tendered
every possible assistance to make
this change for themselves but
they haye persistently refused and
insist upon being left to continue
present conuiuons.
"Thore is no alternative left to
the United States but to assume
the responsibility for future con-
ditions in this territory. It has
created the forms of government
which have brought about these
results and tho continuance rests
on its authority. Knowledge of
how the power granted to govern
memseives has been prevented
takes away from tho United States
all jurisdiction for further delay.
Insecurity of life and person and
property increasing every day
manes immediate action impera-
tive. The pretense that the gov-
ernment is debarred by treaty
obligations from interference in
the present condition of affairs in
this territory is without founda-
tion. THE GOVERNMENT'S DUTY TLAIN.
"The present conditions are not
treaty conditions. There is not
only no treaty obligation on the
part of the United States to main
tain or even to permit the pres'ent
conuiuon oi aiiairs in the Indian
Territory but on the contrary the
whole structure and tenor of the
treaties forbid it. If our govern-
ment is obligated to maintain the
treaties according to their original
intent and purpose it is obligated
to blot out at once present condi-
tions. It has been most clearly
shown that a restoration of the
treaty status is not onlv an im-
possibility but if a possibility
would bo disastrous to this people
and against the wishes of all peo-
ple and governments aliko. The
cry therefore oi those who have
brought about this condition of
affairs to bo let alone not only
finds no shelter in treaty obliga-
tions hut is a idea far iiprmie.inn
to further violate those provisions.
"The commission is enmnellpd
by tho evidenco forced upon them
during their examination into the
administration of the so called
governments in this territory to
report that these government's in
all their branches are wholly cor
rupt irresponsible and unworthy
to he longer trusted with the care
and control of the money and other
property of Indian citizens much
less their lives which they scarely
pretend to protect. There can be
no higher obligation incumbent on
every branch of the general gov-
ernment than to exert its utmost
constitutional authority to secure
to this people in common with all
others within our borders govern-
ment in conformity with constitu-
tional authorities. The govern-
ment cannot abdicate or transfer to
other shoulders this duty aa to any
portion of tcmtqry or people in
the. land. It cannot escape re-
sponsibility if the dark record
which has now been brought to
light is permitted to continue.
Delay can bring nothing but in-
creased difficulty or danger to
peaoe and good order in the terri-
tory. The situation calls for
prompt actibn.
CONGRESS CALLED OX TO ACT.
These considerations lead to but
one conclusion. It is in the judg
ment of the commission the im-
perative duty of congress to as-
sume at once political control of
mo inuian lerntory. They have
come with great reluctance to this
conclusion and have sought by all
methods that might reach the con-
victions of those holding power in
the territory to induce them by
negotiations and mutual agree-
ment to consent to a satisfactory
change in their system of govern-
ment and appropriation of tribal
property. These efforts have
failed and the commission is driv-
en to the alternnfirn nf nm.
mending abandonment of these
people to the spoiliation and out-
rages perpetrated in the name of
existing government or the re-
sumption by congress of the power
thus abused. They therefore rec-
ommend immediate legislation as
follows:
First Territorial government
over the five civilized tribes adapt-
ed to their peculiarly anomalous
Conditions. SO framed no tn oom
rights of residents in the same
anu witnoui impairing the vested
rights of the citizen Indian or mlir
person not an intruder.
Second The extension of the
jurisdiction of the United States
courts in the territory both in law
and equity to hear and determine
all controversies and suits of any
nature concerning any rights in or
use and occupation ot the tribal
lands of the several nations to
which any citizen Indian or other
person or the tribal government
of any nation of or may be made a
party plaintiff or defendant.
The commission is confident that
such a government wisely admin-
istered will restnrA thB rKQ-.o
ot Jaw and preserve order among
mo people residing in these sev-
eral nations and mnl- in ti.:.
lives and all just property rights
and that the determination in the
U. S. courts of the most import-
ant and complicated questions in
which the tenure of their land is
unfortunately involved lifting
them out of the unhoalthy and un-
reliable influences which prevail
in the Indian courts where now
alone they are disposed of would
go far toward a solution of the
dim ult problem the present con-
dition of the territory presents.
THE SiLUYNEE PAYMENT.
A Letter Indicating it Will not be Long
Delayed.
Following is a letter reeentlv re-
ceived by Jonathan Blackfeather
and which was written bv.Tnhn n
Chaney one attorney to Charles
uroivneii me attorney tor the
Shawnees in the late suit:
Washington IV . Nor. 19. 18B.
Pear Mb Iownell: In res-
ponse to Mr.Blackfeather's letter of
(he 14th inst in which it is stated
that someone had said that I had
told them tha.t the Shawnees
qU have to allow me somo fees
to get the Shawnees their monev
for them I have to say that I
never made such a statement to
anybody. I will say further that
I expect no fees save what you
yourself will pay me for aiding
you in your work since your ill-
ness which has confined vou to
your house a great deal "for tha
past four or five months.
I will also say what you well
know that the Shawnees need no
attorney to obtain their money for
them on the judgment rendered
as the Indian office has only to fol-
low the judgment of the court and
pay out the money accordingly.
I was at the Indian nffirn tn.Av
to sav to the commiBsinnpr nf In
dian affairs that the court of claims
would soon enter-up the final de-
crees and judgment. You will
remember that the decree while it
includes in number the Shawnee
adopted citizens.it did not express-
ly name them which must be so
expressed. The judge who wiote
the said decree was in Europe all
summer and this clerical omission
to name the "adorned Shnwnoe
could not be supplied until his re
turn ana tne reassembling of the
COUrt. Since the rnnrt mat tUia
time it has been occupied on vari-
ous matters and has not reached
the Shawnee matters but will
reach it now in a very few days.
As soon as this decree is so modi-
fied the Indian office will complete
their arrangements and pay out to
the Shawnees their money and
this will answer Mr. Blackfeath-
er's inquiry as to "when they will
get their money."
The commissioner of Indian af-
fairs told me today that his office
can soon be ready to disburse the
money securod them in the judg-
ment against the Cherokees anifl
told him that the Shawnees should
have their money as soon as pos-
sible. You will remember nlsn ihit .-
decree provides that this money
shall be paid to the Shawnees
within six months from the time
notice of said judgment was served
on the secretary of the treasury.
The judgment was rendered last
May and you lost no time in serv-
ing said notice so that the six
months is now up and the final
decree soon to be rendered up.will
comnletelv close the onfiu k
ject. Very trulv yours
John C. Ciiaxky.
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Marrs, D. M. The Indian Chieftain. (Vinita, Indian Terr.), Vol. 14, No. 14, Ed. 1, Thursday, December 5, 1895, newspaper, December 5, 1895; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc71414/m1/1/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.