Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-11-29

tie. The tax is clearly a price
paid for the privilege Of introduc.
ing, and not to indemnify any
damage that may follow such in
PRODUCTION, because il would be at
a time when cattle are not sub
iect TO diecasc, or to equalize any
general privilege by paying for it.
'rae tax, under the circumstances,
is arbitrary and oppressive.
To add further to a prohibition
an alike tax is imposed upon the
head at the beginning of each year,
which beginning must necessari-
ly be, for the first year, at the
time of Introduction. A tax,
therefore, of three dollars per
head is what the introducer must
pay when he bri ngs cattle 10 the
country. As none can afford to
Introduce under such an exorbi-
ant Y tctp, he large farmer
aud ,no~e NnO may provide hay
for the contemplated introduction
Of cattle. Thus it is seen that a
further indirect tax is laid upon
industry and enterprise, which
are to that extent interfered with,
instead of being encouraged as
they should be.
Third section makes it the duty
of the treasurer to collect or caus G
TO he collected the tax and pencil
ties, for which he is allowed fif-
teen peF cent. Ii, dispite the re-
strictions, cattle should be intro
duced in usual numbers. which is
about 10000 annually, the treasur-
er's fees will amount to S13, 800.
90, reckoning at $500 per head.
Considering that there are only
three districts, Canadian, Coo.
weescoowee and Delaware, into
which cattle in large numbers are
introduced, and that one active
agent is sufficient for each. en-.
tirely too much Of that which is
intended for the school fund goes
to the education Of the treasurer
aud bis agents, and at such an ex-
pense to our citizens who are in
the cattle business, that the tax
seems as much intended for the
benefit of the parties as for the
public interest.
Fourth section means heap. II
first makes it unlawful to hold or
introduce cattle of non-citizens OF
to introduce any non-citizen rs a
herder, or TO arm with revolvers,
repeating rifles or double barrelled
guns, any citizen employed as
such herder, and any person VIC
lating this section shall be fined in
q sum not less than five dollars
per head for cattle so unlawfully
introduced. 1t would take Phil.
adelphia lawyer to wade through
such jargon and to make a lega
application of it to cattle of non
citizens and collect a fine OF no
less than five dollars per head OF
them, to satisfy the laws infrac
tion either by introducing the cat
tie of non-citizens, or by introduc
ing non-citizens as herders, or by
arming citizen herders with re
volvers, repeating rifles or dou-
bic barrell shot-guns. 1t would
trouble him no little to determin,
the purpose of the pistol and guI
provision, unless it 10 to render
less dangerous to the treasurer an'
his agents to execute an oppress
i've law.
"This" section prescribes th'
penalty for any violation of tn
first, which is $1,000 on the hea,
OF cattle introduced any time aite
the first day of March and the las
day of November. 1t is but n pit
iful improvement on the old law
and not as candid in its intentions
as it plays the sneak-thief rathe
than the bold robber. II give
more of the appearance of consis
tency, but amounts, in effect, t.
legal robbery as does the old, 70
the benefit of the treasurer and hi
favorites.
"This" section likewise pre-
scribes a penalty of five dollars OIL
the head for any failure to pay tn
tax imposed by the second sec
ton Of the act-thatis the tax O
$3.50 tor introducing, which ma,
include the S1.50 as an annual Ia
on cattle introduced.
"This" section further makes !
the duty of the treasurer or hi
agents to collect the penalties Q
the act, TO do which he is author
lied to bring suit before the dis
trict or circuit courts, and 10 swea
o,,t attaoIp,arta gho,,1d he tvish 4