Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-11-12
% CHEROKEE NATIONAL
COUNCIL.


TAHLEouAn, l. T., Nov. Q, 1885.
Last Tuesday evening after it wa
determined by the senate to exam
inc the Enclosures Of the envelop,
that purported to contain charger
and evidence in the Lipe-Cham
bers' contest. the investigation be
gan in earnest, and was taken W
and continued TO close next morn,
ing. The friends of either con.
testant watched the proceedings
with an interest that became SC
noisily expressive that the pres.
ident, who doubtless had heard
OF If not seen, the galleries
of congress cleared of an "ob-
stroperous" crowd, ordered the
chamber to be cleared, and proceed
ed with closed doors. Between 10
and IL O'Clock attention on the
outside was attracted by someone
asking for Chief Justice Mayes,
and inquiry having been made as
to the purpose, he answered, "to
swear in a member" Finding the
senate doors open the crowd push
ed in, with an interrogation point
plainly expressed in the face of
every one; who's WONT" The
members were standing about in
groups, chatting, laughing and
seemingly satisfied. 1..etty soon
the portly person and rubicund
face of ChiefJustice Mayes entered,
and, having demanded of Mr.. Bell
his pleasure, was told to swear in
Mr.. Lipe. Turning to Mr.. Lipe he
said, "hold up your hand" "MeP"
says Mr.. Lipe, and up went his
hand. The oath having been ad-
ministered, members of either par
ty went forward and congratulated
him.
The examination of the case was
evidently conducted. with the in.
tcntion to do both parties justice,
irrespective of political bias. It
was found that nine illegal votes
were cast for Mr.. Lipe, and that
four had been added to the number
Of Mr.. Chambers that should not
have been. A correct count of the
votes, as they stood on the rolls,
would have given Mr.. Lipe a ma
jority of eleven, but nine being
illegal reduced his majority to two. |
After the count was adjusted, a
vote to determine who should be |
seated was taken and resulted |
unanimously for Mr.. Lipe.
1t was announced at / p. m. the
chief would deliver his message.
He did so to both houses in the
senate chamber. Public opinion
as to its merits and measures rec
ommended has found expression
only in the conjecture as to what it
really means. The first important
item is "Lands west of $50. #" Under
this head comes the "lease" aues-
tion and the comments made there
on to thea verage member are about
as "clear as mud"
citizenship" and Forfeited
Citizenship" are treated at length
and present some unique thoughts.
of those who have be-
come citizens by what he terms
"our understanding of what has
been agreed to in the treaty of
1885," he says: "But as soon as
they became citizens, the same
governed as to their
citizens which had
applied to native Cherokees from
time immemorial. The pronoun
which evidently refers to "condi.
tion," and means, if il means any
thing, that there is no difference as
TO rights and privileges between
native and adopted citizens; and
that time historic or immemorial
does not affect that condition. The
opinion Of Secretary Lamar in
relation to the rights of adopt
ed colored citizens or of
any adopted person does not
bear out this rather peculiar
feature.
Again under the head Of "For-
feited Citizenship" he says: "The
that has been made has
been too free and generous an
exercise of such authority which
has led many of our citizens as well
as tho authorities Of the United
States, into the error Of regarding
al who can prove Cherokee blood ,
or descent as being entitled of right
10 citizenship as soon as they re-
urn and make such proof" This !
Is taken from that part Of the con-
'titution which says the national
council shall have pow er 10 readmit
persons who move with their
effects outside of the nation
md who may desire 10 re-
urn. As no mandatory method ,
o readmit such persons 10 citizen
hip could be consistent with the
lcts Of legislative body, which ,
hough they should conform 10
he constitution, are and should be
Discretionary, this opinion is more
Irbitrary than reasonable. If this !
we're so, the declaration to which ,
he Cherokee nation is a party
yould not have been inserted as a ,
PROVISION in the treaty of 1866, that :
Ieads Of families who elected TO re- ,
Give a patent from the United !
itates in fee simple for 800 acres Of
he Neutral lands. should fhere- :