Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-01-28
COME AND LET US REASON
TOGETHER.


COME AND LET US REASON
TOGETHER.
EDITOR CHEFTAIN: - Strive
have heard a'good deal said about
the 100000 swindle and now I
wish to have a word in regard to
1t, and other matters pertaining to
the welfare of my people. We
have seen the report Of the com.
mittee of investigation and the
testimony Of Mr.. Phillips and
others, and it does seem to me
that the idea is scarcely worth en-
tertaining that the. government
would give us that amount to make
deeds for which they had already
paid, and which did not make any
difference in fact whether we made
the deeds or not. l think that the
committee did their work we'll. and
deserve the gratitude of all the
people, and we should take their
action as conclusive in the
premises. They seem to think
that we owe the government 1884,
600, and if such is the case then
our western lands stand cucumber
ed TO that amount without our con-
sent. If such is the case let us
take steps to refund that amount to
the United States government, and
then let us take steps to secure the
lands in such a way as to be of
benefit to the people. / would
suggest that steps be taken to allot
all west of 96, as an experiment on
the allotment question which is so
much talked of. The government
agrees to allot our lands when the
national council shall ask it, and if
this is done we can sec the result
of the problem of allotment and
not en- Hanger our present homes
east Of SO. 1t does look..to me that
would be the best thing for all as it
would give the poor man an equal
footing with the more wealthy. l
would also suggest that each one
should have fee simple patent to
do with his land as he thought
best. 1t should be endorsed by
the secretary of interior which
would protect any individual from
being swindled out of his land, and
If he should sell he would, be in
good circumstances TO improve his
home east Of SO. / think that if the
government wishes to do right by
us she will grant us the privilege of
having deeds approved by the sec
retary of interior. 1t would be
about the same had the neutral
lands been allotted instead of hay
ing been sold as they were.
The government claims to be
our guardians and if so, should be
willing to do the best for us.
Would it not be a great deal better
for our people to have a say in
what belongs to them. If each one
had his share of the western lands
given to him he would feel digni-
fled in his own estimation, and also
by his v bite neighbors and t'would
be great incentive to lift him up
to higher plane of civilization. |
There is no doubt that we would
realize five times as much by this
plan than any other that has vet
been brought forward. How are |
we to know whether we can do |
this or not2 We can never find |
out unless we make some effort |
ourselves for if we set serenely by |
or quarrel among ourselves about |
some trifling points and preiudices
l see danger ahead of our loosing
our lands or having them taken by |
a pretended sale at few cents per
acre. Is it to be supposed that it |
is best for us to let the lands slip
from our hands for a few cents
when we can by the proposed plan
realize dollars. No one but an
idiot would say so. | do not be-
lieve in selling our lands but if we
are forced into measures / want TO
see my people receive some benefit
from il.
l would suggest that if our lands
west were encumbered let us ap-
propriate the funds now on hand to
relieve the encumbrance. But |
cannot understand, il our land
west have an encumbrance on il,
why comes Commissioner Atkins
10 negotiate with us for a sale, and
10 negotiate on the question of sale
was refused. recognize the fact
hat unless our people act promptly
1t this time, the law-making
power Of the United States will put
as in a very bad condition, as re-
yards our public domain. 1t is
asserted that if we should allot our
ands east Of 96 that the railroads
would claim part Of the lands un-
Ter their charters. But such a
ianger does not hang over the
'utlet, or west Of 96, as yet. Such