Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-11-11

early and important notifications.
The principle on which they are
now based was suitable to the
wants and condition of our people
when they were adopted, but the
lapse Of time and the progressive
tendency of many of our citizens,
render legislation necessary to
properly define and protect the
rights of all. The lands of the
Cherokee nation including its
grass, timber, water, stone and
mineral resources, are as much the
common property of the people as
are its public buildings and trust
funds, and should be as zealously
guarded and made conducive to
the common welfare. Under our
present organization and manage
ment the Cherokees by blood, aid
ed by the contribution to the COM
mon funds of the nation made by
the Delawares and the Shawnees
when incorporated into the body
polite as Cherokees, support the
whole machinery of our govern
ment. The remaining portion of
our citizens contribute nothing to-
wards meeting the expense or al
leSiating the burdens of the
national support, while they enjoy
even more than every right enjoy
/ ed by the others.
There should be therefore,
limit fixed and enforced which citi-
zens should not be allowed to ex-
ceed in their appropriation of the
common domain for pesonal
| benefit.
The use by a single citizen of
what belongs to all alike, beyond
his own just proportion, should be
paid for by the beneficiary in the
form of a just tax for the excess
used by him. The constitutional
right of the national council is as
clear as the duty to see to this is
imperative. The tendency Of our
present system is to abuse, and the
sooner the unlawful leasing of land,
and consequent monopolizing of
improvements is effectively pro-
hibited, the fewer complications
will arise from this source in the
future, and the less inducement
will there be on the part of persons
engaged in the business to desire
and seek changes in our form of
government. | believe this to be
in accord with the views and
highest interest of the Cherokee
people. / see no reason why it
should not be clearly regulated by
laws which will protect both per-
sonal and national rights. l there
fore recommend for your consider
alton the propriety of authorizing
a geological survey to be made of
our country in order that our own
people may become at least as ia
miliar with its resources of produc-
tive and material wealth as are
those connected with railroad and
other enterprises from abroad.
When this shall have been done,
let our lands be classified as graz
ing, agricultural, mineral and tim
bered, and each citizen be allowed
the free use of definite quantity
of land so classified. For the use
of either class of such lands, in
excess of the quantity allowed
free, impose a tax payable annual
ly to such collectors as may be ap-
pointed by law, to be turned into
the treasury of the nation.
The use of this excess should be
clearly fixed by law both as to
quantity and time, and the inn
proyements Gf any be made) to re-
vert to the nation as common prop
erty at the expiration of the term
Of lease or for failure to comply
with the provisions of the Law un-
der which it may be made.
The income arising from these
sources should become a part of
the public funds of the nation and
be applied to such public improve |
ments or other public benefits as
the national council shall direct.
The legislation Of the national
council should be just, as it must
be uniform, and it will only become
both when the burdens and the
benefits Of government are made
to bear equally upon every mem
Der of the nation. The course
here suggested, if adopted and
properly carried into effect will at
once check the spirit Of specula-
tion and self appropriation of our
lands and material resources now
so rife and widespread among a
portion Of our citizens, and secure
a share OF justice to those less
wealthy, less intelligent, and less