Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-08-15


Cherokee nation, for the ccssion
By the Cherokee nation 10 the
United States Of all title, claim OF
interest Of every kind or character
in and to the Cherokee lands lying
west Of the Goth meridian, upon
the same terms as TO payment
as is provided in the agreement
made with tho Creek Indians. oI
date January 10, 1889, and ratif.
ed by congress.
The chief will be compelled to
reply that there is no authority in
him, nor i'm the Cherokee national
council to make a cession Of this
property, and that it could on
~ be done by a change Of the
Cherokee constitution. The
Cherokee constitution. section 10,
Article 6, says the national coun-
Gil may propose such amendments
to the constitution as two-thirds of
each branch may deem expedient,
and the principal chief shall issue
a proclamation, directing all civil
officers of the several districts tO
promulgate the same as extern
sivcly as possible within their res
pectiye districts at least six months
previous TO the next general cleo
ton, and if at the first session OF
the national council after such
general election two.thirds of each
branch shall by yeas or meas ratify
such proposed amendments, they
shall be valid as a part Of the
constitution.
Thus no action could be taken in
the way of a sale before Novem-
Der, 1891. The issue before US is
a grave one. We have good title
TO this property though it is Wig
orously contested, but the govern
ment Of the United States, can un.
der the treaty Of 1866, settle friend
~ Indians on this land and prac-
tically deprive US of a large part
Of its value by doing so, taking
the most valuable eastern half.
The Cheyennes and Arapahoes
have set up a claim to this prop.
erty. a number Of prominent u.
5. congressman have declared
their purpose, in case the Chero-
KEGS refuse to make this sale, to
settle these Indians and others up
on the eastern part of this land.
The Indians so located could readi-
ly be induced to allot. Thus a
mode is provided under the treaty
which leads to white occupancy.
More than that, the principal of
eminent domain has been declared
for purposes Of right Of way
through this country under which,
fer the general welfare, narrow
strips of land have been taken By
the United States, and certain
sums provided to be paid therefor
to the Cherokee nation, which was
assumed by congress TO be an
equitable settlement. This prin-
ciple has been argued in favor Of
taking the whole Of the Cherokee
outlet for public occupancy, on
the grounds that the Chsrokees
were not occupying it, that it was
greatly needed for agricultural pur-
poses, and that if the Cherokees
were paid a fair value for the
property. it would be right for con-
gress to exercise its authority of
eminent domain to open this land
for homes for United States citi-
zens who are homeless.
We truly believe that either I'M
der the treaty or by the eminent
domain argument, the government
will take such steps ns will be
found necessary 90 convert it to
public use. We are convinced
the Cherokee nation should take
steps without delay for securing to
her people the values in volved in
this property. There are several
propositions being canvassed.
lst. Do nothing but resist in
every possible way any change Of
the present status.
2nd. Sell to the United State
for sl.25 an acre, or BY diplomacy
get little more.
3id. Advertise, get up compe-
.ition, and sell out to the syndicate
that bids highest.
4th. Cause the allotment Of the
an1s west of the 9Gth meridian
Inder section 2, Article /, amend !
nent 10 the Cherokee constitution,
~ provided by Article 20, treaty OF
july -, 1866, and nave each citi-
ZEN authorized to sell or hold his
,wn part as lie pleased.
The first proposition 10 do moth
ne is dangerous in the extreme,
BECAUSE there is every probability,
( we do so, we will loose the great
,alues involved, or large part of
hem.
The second proposition to sell
o the United States government
gould produce us only 81 l.2j an
.cre, when this land ought TO net
he Cherokee people three dollars
m acre on an average.
The government OF the United
States practically gives away the
public domain 10 actual settlers,
md we cannot expect that the
United States will give the market
'alue for this property, since it
you'd be a clear loss 10 the treas
Try Of the United States, no ade-
iuate return appearing. Any con-
,ressman who would vote eighteen
million of dollars to the Cherokee
lation would be accused by his
constituency and opponents at
lome Of having been in an Indian
teal, because the people generally
believe this land belongs TO the
government Of the United States,