Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-03-20

the bill that relate strictly TO Okla
homa. Those providing for courts
in our country remain untouched
and are therefore justas they were
as stated ia former communica
tions.
Repeated efforts were made tC
especially except our strip lands
from the confines Of Oklahoma foi
any purpose whatever, sot even
for judicial purposes only as it Is
claimed. Either the unimpor-
tance OF our objections to such in
fringement on our stipulated
rights, as may be held by the
house committee on territories,
or some hidden and ulterior inten-
tion or possibility lying behind
the output Of mere judicial pur-
poses, may have caused the COM
mlttee to withhold their consent
to any change of language that
would specifically exempt these
lands from Oklahoma.
In consideration Of the unsatis-
factory condition in which this
bill puts the outlet, and the presi-
dents proclamation to the cattle
men, there can be but little reason,
if any at all, why we should hesi-
tate for a moment to sell for the
greatest possible price, all our
claim to that country. Should the
senate concur with the house in
this matter, our control of the
lands will have passed from us
forever If there is a way out of
this, it is in the adoption of some
measure by which the presidents
proclamation, at his consent. may
be suspended. 1t could not be
otherwise effected, because any
opposition to it openly attempted
would certainly bring about more
serious complications and disas-
trous results.
In the event the conference COM
mittee should so amend the bill
that the outlet will not be includ-
ed in the boundaries Ct Oklahoma,
it seems that no great advantage
will be gained while the presi-
dents proclamation is in force,
either as pending or actually car
ried out. There is, therefore, as a
consequences, nothing left to US;
nothing more than the money we
may realize from the sale Of the
lands.
n would hardly~ reasofabls
to suppose that any excuse, con-
sistent with the dignity Of his Of
flee, could be offered that would be
to induce him to with
draw or suspend his proclamation.
What he has done was after ma
ture thought and a due considera-
ton of all the legal points involv-
ed in his order, it is reasonable to
suppose, and if he has been too
hasty or has committed sn error,
the acknowledgment of such a
thing on his p art need not be ex-
pected.
1t cannot be accepted as reasona-
Die or respectful to the president |
Tor congress to review his action in |
his matter and legislate against
I; not that he is infallible, but be-
cause of his position and that his
actions should be entitled to re-
ipect.
The conclusion ofthese thou ghts
S clearly in line with our int crest
o sell the lands as soon as 1T can
De consistently done and for the
highest possible price.
Other matters may and should
constitute part of the considora-
ion for the lands-the uncondition-
Il abrogation of the 18th article of
he treaty Of 1866; the permanent
md everlasting removal of all in
ruders from our country; the
Of defending our lands
md homes and all our vested |
lights before the courts of the
United States.
These considerations are posi-
Die, but the question may be asked,
will they be posi- Bile should we
neglect the opportunity we now
rave to come to some friendly un-
ierstanding as TO how and upon
What terms We may dispose of the
ands? lis question OF sale and
pest bargain now, end not how we
hall manage TO keep the lands.
Respectfully, JoHN L. ADAIR.
- s---------
JUDGE SCALES LETTER.
lie Expresses Himself on the Land