Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-02-18

CHAPTER III.

the language of the secretary of the
interior when he says in a state
ment, 'all lands in response to a
resolution from the United States
senate, asking for information on
the subiect7n
"My answer" said he "is that
he made no slch statement"
Cali lands" are referred TO in
the question of the committee, and
the words used in Secretary Tel
ler's report to the senate, known
as executive document nineteen, to
apprise the snate that for no par
ticular tracts of land had money
been paid the Cherokee nation,
but that the sums had been advan-
ced upon call lands" as whole ly-
ing west of the Arkansas river, and
that there had been but one APP
praisement. Such, doubtless, is
the meaning Of the secretary's re-
port.
Before the committee was not
the first time Phillips denied the
authenticity of executive document
nineteen. 1t was desperate ex-
pedient at the start, but there was
no other way of escaping the dam
ming condition in which il
placed him and his accessories,
by reason of the statement he had
made the council in relation TO the
$500, 600 transaction. Having dis
covered no other expedient that
would justify his statement better
than out and out denial, he holds
the fort manfully by sticking to it..
Bluff is his game with those who
oppose him, and wounded innocence
and lachrymose emotion with
his friends whom he melts into ex-
pressions well betting a class meet
ing. The expertness with which
he does this, entities him to some
kind of admiration, and shows
a versatility of talent that BELTS
him for almost anything. He
handles his cards with no inexper-
fenced hands in playing bluff with
his enemies and in holding a death
grip on his accomplices who cling
to him with a tenacity that moth
ing seemingly can shake loose.
A denial of the authenticity Of
document rineteen, seems to be an
undo TODD arrangement between
him and others. But what can
possess them TO do this is a conun-
drum not within the range of So
luton or sensible expedients, since
the document has been affirmed
and reailirmed by the present sec
retary of the interior, and sent un-
der seal and certificate as evidence
to the investigating committee Of
our council. Then in the name of
common sense and a due respect
for the truth what does the man
mean. That his prestige was once
great among the Cherokee people,
all classes, it cannot be
denied. But if it was upon the
strength Of that that he comes out
and fatty denies that Mr.. Teller,
rs secretary Of the interior, made
such a statement, he presumed
lust little too much upon a rep
ntation that was .tottering to its
fall. His denial of this fact was
another agent set to work to sap
is foundation. He could not ex-
plain in way consistent with
what he himself had said about
he lands, and he was forced to
AXE the bull by the horns and
leny that which is an accepted
act by the people.
He is not alone in this matter.
There are others who have as
toutly denied document nineteen
Is being the report Of Secretary
Teller. Some have gone so far
Is to denounce the paper as the
product of designing persons upon
he character and reputation of
Phillips and others in this nation,
md have succeeded in making
many believe such a silly refuge
rom detection. A desperate dis
Ease requires desperate remedies,
md this being a cholera case
heroic treatment of bluff, cheek
md falsehood had to be adminis-
cred.
TERRITORY OF OKLAHOMA.