Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-07-02
"T7TE oRnAT QUESTION. :

bllatef Eno WeNtDfn Ian de tIueH-
ton Some Valuable Sueees-
tions Made by "The Raven" ia
Rotation to the Lands West of
Nsnoty-aix.
The most important question
now uppermos' in the minds Of
tho Cherokee people is che land
question, and especially the pres
ent statues -four lands west of 9eo.
Our coming council in November
will undoubtedly be called upon
by representatives from congress
with a view to the purchace Of this
part of our domain by the United
States government. In my opin-
ion an erroneous impression pre-
walls among our people in regard
TO this matter which should be at
once dispelled. AS a matter of
fact the Cherokee nation holds
patent TO this land; this patent
was given Sor a consideration
just the came as n patent is given
to land in any state. Our title is
absolute and unconditional (see
copy Of patent in new code),
therefore If the Cherokees own
this land, what power can prevent
them from disposing Of il TO whom
they wish if they see fit to do so2
Why sell to the United States
government for s1.25 per acre
when a buyer can DO had at $500
per aore-making a difference in
our favor Of about eleven million
dollars? Now at $500 per acre, if
the money should be divided per
capita, IL wonld give each bona fde
citizen about twelve hundred dol
lars, or about five thousand dollars
to the average family. 1t only
takes minutes calculation to dem-
onstrate the fact that it does not
pay TO lease this land, as the
present rental only pays interest
at the rate Of one-half of one per
cent. per annum on the market
value Of il. Now VIC cannot afford
TO loan money at this rate while
there are so many poverty-stricken
Chorokoes among US as there are.
A few would-be patriotic people
who arc bitterly opposed to the
sale Of any land say "hold on to it
for the benefit Of our children" /"
This is all very well for those of
us who have comfortable homes
and plenty of this worlds goods,
but how is II with hundreds ofimpe-
cunious other folks-widows, or
phans and the like? Is it we'll for
them TO gazo on their ill-clad, half
fed families while they are joint
heirs to q twenty million dollar
estate? Docs the landscape please
the eye when your stomach is
empty2 Is 1t Wise TO raise our
children in ignorance and want in
order TO leave them & landed
estate? Why not sell this tract Of
land which We do not need; take
the money and build comfortable
homes and educate our children
and still have more land left than
We can use2 The idea that the |
government viii not allow us to
sell land to any individual is all |
nonsonco. Il will be an easy mat
.er 10 get a decision on this poin. |
n any United States supreme !
,ourt. Congress is just as liable
% be mistaken on a point OF law
Is an individual. By the way l met
member of congress in our town
few days since who impertinent-
y inquired if "Vinita was in the
Creek or Cherokee nation" He
lid not know the geography of the
'ountry, only one hundred and
twenty-five miles from where he
vas raised. I have reference 10
Congressman Wade, Of Springfield,
Missouri. Such men are liable to
make most any kind of laws; but
hank the Lord there is a constitu-
ion to which their laws must con.
orIn before they can be executed.
\ law OF congress now provides
hat no Indian shall hold a civil
'fiice under the government. This
NV will not stand the test of the
upreme court. RAVEN.
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