Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-03-22
WANT TO KNOW WHEN ooUN.
or, WILL, CONVENE.

WANT TO KNOW WHEN OOON"
OIL WILL CONVENE.
Since the adjournment of the
late council, Chief Mayes has more
than once been importuned about
q call session The failure to re-
lease the strip lands fer grazing
purposes is the cause of these in
quiries. They are confined to the
old lessees, who seem anxious to
know when the call will be made,
but seemingly not wise enough to
know that no council will be con-
vened at ali unless an offer much
in excess of S125, 900 is made by
them or some other company
not only made but deemed secure,
SO that there would be perfect safe
ty in convenihg the council in spe-
cial session. BY what manner of
reasoning the present lessees can
expect the chief to convene the
council to reconsider a dead is
sue, as fsr as their offer of sl25,-
600 is concerned, no one but.them-
selves may know or their attorney
redoubtable John-who flick
crs between the chief and the COM
pany. They may entertain an
idea that no greater offer than
theirs will be made, and that the
chiel will be compelled to call the
council together, go back on his
record and accept what he once re-
jected. If such are their expecta-
tions they had just as well quit
their foolishness and make an offer
by 100000 nearersthe real value
ofthe lease, or fold up their tents
and quietly make themselves
scarce on the strip lands. The
forcing idea won't pan out in this
case, although it must be acKnowl-
edged that the association has con-
siderable Of power, questionable
as to character, if we take as a
sample Of it what they did at the
last council. The company may
be assured that the Cherokee ma
tion, with Chief Mayes at the head
of affairs, can stand the rub if they
can, and if they connot atford to
release at price more nearly ap-
proximating the true value of the
lease than 1925, 900, the nation can
equally afford to let the country
lie idle rather than manifest
weakness and poverty that any
citizen, not dead on his feet, ought
to be ashamed of, much more
nation with as many resources for
revenue as the Cherokee. The
Indians of this territory have
passed beyond that period for sue
cessGul operation of William Penn
treaties and bargains to be perpet-
uated by history and song, in
which figure, as considerations far
a tract Of country in length as for
as a man can ride on a horse to-
wards the setting sun in two days,
jews-harps, flints, glass bottles,
molasses and gimblets. They |
have quit taking the first offer
made them for COW OF a horse or
the lease OF 100000 acres of the
finest grazing lands in the west,
just because some fellow comes |
along, with an eye to big bargain,
and offers so much.
There is another thing the pres
ent lessees may be assured of, |
redoubtable John, chief mana
ger, Notwithstanding, and it is
this:- Chief Mayes is not 60
ing to give them and the ma
jority in council an opportuni.
Iy TO re-enact what they did at the
last session. If they wish to re-
lease they must first make an offer,
responsibly secured, Of a sum he
may deem Of sufficient inducement
for the conyening Of the council in
special session. No chance for
or sharp management will
be given, or for treachery TO the
oountry's interest by those who
to get a part of what the
nation ought to receive as a whole,
and Of which they def.aud the peo-
pie. A reasonable offer is all that
Is required, honorably made and
accepted, and entirely
IN the interest Of the whole peo-
pie.
SENATOR PLUMB's VIEWS.