Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-05-17

1t is now my purpose to call the
council for the consideration OF
this question at such q day as
shall leave ample time for the ad.
justment of this question and all
its incidents before the expiration
Of the lease, on the LIST day of Oc-
tober.
1t will not take the time gener-
ally supposed to advertise this
property. After beef move ON the
market, cattlemen, from whom we
may reasonably expect bids, will
be in better condition and humor
to make bids; the competition will
be livelier, and our delegates, who
are also senators, will have re-
turned. For this reason calling of
the council will be yet deferred.
| propose foi the consideration
Of the Cherokee people, q bill on
the following terms, and wish
them and the various members of
the national council to carefully
consider it before the meeting of
the council. If it is right, l sim
cerely and respectfully ask the
people and their representatives
to give us the desired legislation
so the full value Of this property
may be secured to the Cherokee
people.
Let the terms of the lease be for
five years. Let the advantages
and limitations be as before, with
these provisions for the manner Of
leasing:
1st. The chief shall advertise
for 80 or 40 days, that till certain
day at noon he viii receive bids
on this franchise.
2nd. That each bid must be ac-
companied by certificate of de-
posit in some national bank, which
shall also be a United States de-
pository, that the amount of the
first annual payment has been de-
posted by the bidder with such
bank, subject to the order of the
Cherokee treasurer when the lease
shall have been executed, and the
first of October shall have arrived
and by certificate from such a
bank that the bidders are men Of
high financial standing and char
acter.
3rd. That the rental shall be
payable annually in advance.
4th. That failure in observing
terms Of lease shall work a for
feiture, and immediate possession
shall inure TO the Cherokee ma
ton.
9TH. That sealed bids may be
delivered to the principal chief at
and time up to noon of the day of
opening them; that he shall give n
receipt therefor, and it shall be
his duty to sacredly keep the same
under seal, and open them on the
appointed day in the presence of
the assistant chief, and the treas
urer, aud the executive council
and all bidders; that each bid
shall be carefully examined to see
that the bids are all intact before
any envelopes are opened.
9Th. That a synopsis Of all bids
shall be published, and a careful
record made of them at length and
placed on file in the executive Of
fee, and the right to reject any
and all bids reserved.
favor this plan of legislation,
because it offers the only means Of
honest competition, because know
with certainty the grazing priyi-
lege is worth more than s125, 900
a year, and because / want the
Cherokees to have its value. Be-
cause further, that / have assur-
ances from various men Of high
standing that bona fde bids will
be made exceeding sl25, 900, if an
honest chance is afforded them on
this basis, but will not make an
open bid because they would have
no guarantee OF its acceptance.
| further favor this plan of sealed
bids because it will take away any
inducement 10 anybody to use
outside money to control our cleo
tions, and manipulate our national
legislature. / regard such out
side interference as a most serious
danger to the integrity of our in
stitutions, and the rights Of the
people to equal enjoyment Of our
common property.
This is a matter which | hope
will not be regarded by any Of my
friends or fellow-citizens as a mat
ter Of party politics, but Of ma
tional and common importance to
as all, and in this spirit | respect
fully present in this briet way my
views, and appeal to the Cherokee
people to sustain these views if
they are just and right.
The above is given in answer to
many anxious inquiries, as to
when the present lease expires
and wien will the council convene
10 effect a new lease.
j. b. MAYRs.
nrf,.ct,.al nlt.f