Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-03-06
OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON
CORRESPONDENCE.
Washingtons Birthday Celebra
ton Indian Matters Rest.

wAsufseroS. % c., Feb. 2s 1890.
EDITOR CHIEFTATN Yesterday
was big day here. The people
were all out doors. Pennsylvania
avenue was crowded from the
White House and the treasury TO
/ the grounds Of the capitol, up and
down which paraded gaily ac-
coutred bands Of music and militia
~ organizations. Standing on the
raised pavement at the Potomac
side of the treasury department,
one could see an ocean current Of
humanity moving up and down the
avenue. AS | gazed upon the spccta-
Gle, ] could but be impressed that
at the instant there were within
the view, perhaps, as many people
as compose the population of my
little nation.
The 22nd of February, as you
know, is a national holiday. In
celebration of it all public busi-
ness is suspended that can be
without danger or damage to the
general government.
The biggest question, as it seems
to be, is just now the worlds fair
in 1892 The galleries of the
house are SO crowded that hun
dreds fail to gain admittance.
This aphjsst has pin.shed out the
bill to provide government for
Oklahoma and to create courts for
the Indian Territory We're it not
for some provisions in it, one that
no attachments shall issue on real
estate while the title of the land is
vested in any Indian nation; an
other that executions upon judg-
ments obtained in any other than
Indian courts shall be valid for
the sale or conveyance Of title to
improvements upon lands owned
by an Indian nation; and another
that nothing in the act shall be
SO construed as to deprive any Of
the civilized nations of jurisdic-
ton over all eases arising wherein
members of such nations, whether
by treaty, blood, or adoption, are
the sole parties, it would be a good
thing, leaving out the part that
provides government for Oklaho-
ma, that it be crowded out forever.
These provisions secure TO the
several nations what the treaties
intended to be and remain their
special rights, but which are dis
regarded by the Muskogee court
The land sale question, which
seems to be the uppermost among
the people Of our nation, is just
now ia state of somnolence.
Seldom any reference is made to
it by officials here or members of
congress. Occasionally some fell
low, like Mansur, of Missouri,
tries to discredit our right to the
country and assert that we are en-
titled to no pay for it. His sort for
tunately are not numerous enough
to render matters serious.
In this quiet it may not be over
watchful or apprehensiye to ex-
peot active measures when the Sc
lected time comes to take up the
subject for the requirement of the
strip lands by the government.
We certainly have ample cause for
watchfulness and readiness Of ac-
tion on our part, when We consid-
E. the presidents proclamation to
the cAttlemen to vscate the outlet
by October.
1t is amazing to what great dis
tances some people can give ad-
vice in regard to matters they can
know but little about. Neither
devil nor angel here can tell what
is best to be done, when met with
complications, stubborn resistance
or unyielding denial in many mat
ters, and the fact as recognized
that something must be done. A
part Of loaf is better than no loaf
at all, is a superanuated saw, but /
when it comes down to helpless
ness it may not be very wise to re-
fuse "the staff of life" altogether. /
Respectfully. john L. ADAIR.
ERRATUM.
Warrington. d Feb p. 1890.
EDITOR JHIEFTAIN - have I