Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-08-21
THn CONVENTIONS HELD.
Full Particulars Of tho Proceed
ings.

The nominating conventions ale
now over, and many men Of both
sides, though sick at heart over
the result, are determined to
"grin and bear it," They win
have little or nothing to say until
election day and then they will ST.
lently step up to the polls and de.
clare, by their votes, that Mayes,
who claims to be chosen by the
people, is the first man in the
Downing party and Benge who
claims to be chosen by the Lord,
the greatest National in the Chero-
kee nation. But neither party, it
now seems, will get the support of
all its members. Both conven-
tions had a red hot time and from
the word "go" it was a settled fact
that many would bolt Those Of
the National party who are dis
satisfied say that it was clearly the
wish of the people that Bushy-
head receive the nomination, and
that Benge won by chicanery;
while in the DoVping party.
Mayes is charged with breaking
the compact and getting his nomi-
nation by making the captains cen
sus takers and by working in his
relatives.
The Downing convention was
held in an out Of the way
place fifteen miles from Table
quah and about a mile from the
orphan asylum and Tahlequah
road. Monday afternoon the ma
Jority OF tlio vaPtailis ana theii al
ternates were present and an or
ganization perfected. AS soon as
the body was organized, Head
Captain Samuel Smith delivered
his annual address-and right
there is where the trouble began.
Capt. Smith told Of the first or.
ganization OF the Downing party;
told Of the compact entered into
by VIM. p. Adair and Lewis
Downing, i. e. that a fullblood
should be nominated for chief and
half breed for second chief.
Four years ago he said that an
other compact had been made;
namely, that a half breed should |
be nominated principal chief then
but full blood should be nomi-
mated the next time. Under this
agreement Joel B. Mayes was
nominated and elected, and now |
the time had come to nominate a
fHll-blood But he had been told |
that Mr.. Mayes and his followers |
would break the compact and |
nominate the present chief again.
He added further that he could !
not agree TO such a thing, but
would oppose it from beginning to
end. This speech Of the captains
created no little stir. AT first the
opposition denied the existence Of /
such a compact; the next step was
to adjourn till the next day in or
der to have the night to talk over
matters. The next day at 10
o'clock a. M, the matter was re-
sumed. In the meanwhile a
number Of full-bloods were found /
that would oppose the compact, /
and after days discussion, the ]
compact was repudiated. This ]
being done, the compact men drew
of, and the nominations proceed /
ed. Mayes was nominated prin-
cipal chief with Sam Smith as as
sistant. Smith, however, declined /
and Judge David Rowe was chos-
en- in his place. Hon. C. V. Rog- /
ers, Of Claremore, was nominated /
Judge for the northern circuit and .
"Slick" Littlejohn for the middle /
circuit. The business was fin /
ished Wednesday after dinner and T
all pitched out" for home, not /
waiting for congratulations and /
speeches. Both the victors and /
the vanqu shed, were dissatisfied. I
The Mayes part Of the party ac-
cused the compact men Of trying
to split the party and the Smith
men accused Mayes Of winning 1
his nomination by working his re-
lations aud by making the cap
tains census takers.
In order that people may know
whether this accusation is true OF
not the list Of districts and their
delegates arc given. If there are
any mistakes IL The foregoing. +