Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-09-13
MORE BEEF AND LEASE.
A Picnic In Delaware Brief Syn
opsis of Speeches.

embraced in either Of these class
es, assembled at Willow Spring,
Delaware district, to take part in
II barbecue, picnic, and listen to
speeches, mayhap. Seemingly
everybody from the immediate vi
cinity was present while Vinita
was generously represented.
s. 5. Stephens opened the
speech making. For n time he
"beat about the bush" but finally
got warmed up to his subject
the strip lease--and made a very
sensible talk. The history OF the
lease question was detailed, and
expatiated upon, epoch by epoch,
it might be said. One thing, he
said, could not be got around-we
have gained $3.50, 900 by the stand
taken by Chief Mayes and his ad-
herents. The speaker came
down with vigor and unction up
on men who "sold themselves rs
merchandise" Members Of coun-
Gil, for acts Of perfdy, were de-
nounced and in this connection
Delaware district was named.
Men who had their names prefix
cd with the title of Honorable"
-"honorable thieves it should
be"-also got around. The little
down at Fort Gibson
the Arrow-recli"ed attention, to
close with for the disparaging man
ner in which the chiefs action in
pardoring Messrs. Markham and
Lewis had been reported. The
speaker cited the fact that Bushy-
head, during his administration
had pardoned a dozen or so mur-
dercrs. Mr.. Stephens closed by
offering to answer any questions,
but refused on the first one pro-
pounded. Someone wanted to
know to whom he alluded when
he spoke of selling out, "honora-
bic thieves, etc" At the conclusion
Of Mr.. Stephens remarks dinner
was announced.
After liberal quantity of excel
lently cooked beet had been dis
pensed, with the accompanying
"sido dishes," Senator l.. d. Bell
was presented. He begun by con-
Tossing to embarrassment; did not
know OF what he was to speak A.;
had but just returned the week be-
fore from Washington. lie under
stood, however, that he had been
tried, convicted, and was awaiting
execution because Of his acts as @
senator. lie had hoped someone
would accuse him, that he might
know how to reply. He had nc
apologies to make. Ifthe people
of Delaware district wanted man
with no opinion of his own to rep.
resent them, they did not want
him. lie was a Downing man
not a Mayes man. Was an earnest
supporter Of Judge Mayes during
the campaign and if anyone wa,
more loyal, he would like to see
him. At Tahlequah if there WA!
a man who stayed any more in the
fore front, he would like to see
him. Reverting to the lease, h,
declared that in every instance h'
had voted to sustain the chieti
yetoes, and it was he who haC
presented the minority repOr
against the s135 600 bid Of the ole
company. The gentleman in some
manner concluded that il was only
in so far as he had reported
against the Henry & Co. bid ths
his constituents were interested il
his actions and so confined him,
selfto reading the testimony Ia
ken by his committee, and upor
which he bad based his opposi
lion. lie did, however, digresi
far enough to attribute TO thC
CHIEFTAIN and the Telephone
"cowardly innucndoes," charging
that they stabbed him in tho
back and then went around anC
named him to their friends" say.
ing "if We can only get him out o
the Downing party, etc"
Abiding TO the lease OF the out
let, payment for the same, otc., h'
stated that it was only n debt o
honor and that there could be M
suit to compel payment Of any OBJ
legation in regard thereto. Furthe
than that, the speaker claimed thu
title to be such that full value 0
the grazing privileges could no
be realized, AS compared Will
what might be obtained il W,
could enter into ten year contrac
with a certainty that the u. S. gov
ernmopt would not disturb III,
lessees.