Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-08-29
AN UNKNOWN NATION.
How the Affairs of the Indian Terrific
Are Administered.


Are Administered.
Between the broad and fertile acres of
Kansas and the broad and only less fertile
acres Of Texas, lies wild and beautiful
region known as the Indian Territory,
writes Anna Laurens Dawes in Hdrper's
Magazine The imaginary lines which di-
vide it from the neighboring States have
been strengthened by National law into
strong walls, which, II not actually impas-
sable, have yet proved substantial barriers
Even the inhabitants Of the contiguous
States have little personal knowledge Of
the people or the land beyond q strong
hatred of the one, born Of an undue lust for
the other. The eastern part Of this Terri
tory is inhabited by what are called the
five civilized tribes "-the Cherokees,
Creeks, Seminoles, Choctaws and Chicka-
saws. Each of them lives life absolute
" separate from the rest, with its own
peculiarities, its own institutions and its
own national characteristics, for each-let
it not be forgotten-each is a nation. But
certain things are true Of them all. Com
mon circumstances and common needs
have wrought upon common traits of race
and character to produce like results The
government Of each nation is republican,
with frequently recurring elections, legis-
latures, executives and systems Of judi
ciary. Each nation supports common
schools and high schools, provides chari-
table institutions and fosters churches.
Whether Choctaw or Cherokee, these In
dams carry on large business interests, and
live intelligent and valuable lives.
Vinita is the most commercial town of this
nation, but not its most representative set
tlement. "Have you seen Tahlequahl" is
the instant question asked of him who pro-
laIe off ho Ind
and not without reason. Located in the in
terror of the country, among the mountains,
the approach by the all-day ride among the
wooded hills, over the grassy uplands, and
through the forest glades threaded every
where with rushing creeks, serves to
heighten the effect. TahleQuah
first discovers itself afar of, across one Of
the most beautiful Of these prospects, in q
large and somewhat imposing brick build
ing standing out alone upon q swelling
height. Unneighbored, and yet requiring
considerable population to fill it, 1t seems
something of a mystery; and when the
winding road comes face to face with its
simplicity and its size, it proves no less
mysterious, although in different way,
since it is a public college for Indian boys
and young men. Three miles further ride,
still in the open country, though no longer
brings the traveller suddenly into the long
main street Of a large town. Here sits in
serene and self-centerd isolation the capital
of nation, containing in itself every ele-
ment of such a capital except those metro
politan products which belong to crowded
centers of the worlds life.
In the very middle of Tahlequah is its
capitol, a large brick structure surrounded
by an open square filed with locust trees
The size and relative importance Of this
building mark the feeling that this is ma
ton Here meets Legislature composed
of two Houses, retaining traces Of the COM
mon Indian and white influence over their
origin, in their titles of Council and Senate.
The Council is presided over by Speaker,
and the Senate by an Assistant Chief. Bills
must pass both Houses, and require the
signature of the Executive This officer
possesses much power, and is a man of
MANY titles, since he is actually President,
and is better known as Principal Chief,
while in common conversation he is usually
addressed as Governor. Under him is an
Assistant-C Chief answering TO our Vice-Pres-
ident, Secretary of State, Treasurer, a
Superintendent Of Public Instruction, and
several other officers. All are elected di-
rectly by the people, and for terms Of four
years. These hotly-contested elections oc-
cur every two years, when half Of the Coun-
Gil are chosen, and in August, a month of
agricultural vacation, thus marking the
chief occupation Of the people. All the af-
fairs Of the nation-very nearly literally all
Of them-are debated and settled by this
Legislature. The establishment and sup
port of schools, questions OF finance, per-
missions or licenses to railways or tele-
graphs, the admission of religious teachers
to the privileges OF the nation-an these
matters are decided as of old in
the council; but neither the hered-
itary right Of Indian custom on the one
hand, nor the Anglo-Saxon condition Of age
on the other, admits to this body. Every
lad among the Cherokees may vote and be
voted for. In the capitol are the various
offices of the President, the Treasurer and
the other officers Of State, and here they
spend busy days, for it is no trifiing matter
to administer the affairs of this little nation
of 25,OO0 souls. II it be little it is also r.ch
So, 900 come every year into the hands OF
its Treasurer in good drafts of the United
States, interest on the funds held by US in
trust for these Indians, and as much more
from the great cattle companies who have
leased some Of their unoccupIed northern
land. From this money are paid the sala-
ries of all the officials and the expenses OF
the machinery Of government the public
works are carried on, the school and con-
| vict systems are maintained. The Chero-
| KEGS pay no taxes, the nation is so rich
quite otherwise, for now and then, when a
need arises, or the United States rents
| fresh lands, money payment is
made to each inhabitant Out Of the
windows of the capitol may be seen
the less imposing but spacious building
where the Supreme Court sits, with its
three judges, of learning and character,
| The particulars of judicial system are sci
dom dramatic, but it is interesting to learn
that the courts are modelled on our own
| and are very successful. The laws Of this
Nation fill a large book, and the strictness
| Of some of its provlslons-notably those re
| lating to intoxication-would make a Puri
tan envious. The code in general would dC
credit to any community, and its laws are
well enforced by mounted police-a body Of
men so much honored that positions in it,
ranks are greatly coveted; and If crime i:
somewhat too frequent in this region, II
must not be forgotten that the Nation i:
burdened with class of most disreputablt
| white men, entirely exempt from its owl
law, and difficult to reach by any other. i
its convict system is not as elaborate as thai
| of Crofton or Elmira, it seems to be effect
| ual in its results, since its convicts may bt
seen making its roads, under slight guard
or, wholly unguarded, doing the janitor'
work in its Capitol. A well-appointed as =
| lum holds the INDECENT blind and other un
fortunates of various kinds.
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New York Sun; The State Of New York