Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-07-02
ALLIANCE PRINCIPLES,
AS Promulgated by Cooweesooo
wee County Union.

The following declaration Of
principles was adopted by the
Cherokee citizens belonging to the
Farmers Alliance & Industrial Un
ion of Cooweescoowee district
at the county union, held at
Claremore, l. T., April 18th, 1891;
Whereas, The general condition
of our country imperatlvely
demands unity of action on the
part of the laboring classes and
the dissemination of principles
best calculated to encourage and fos-
ter agricultural and mechanical
pursuits i'm order that they may
derive just remuneration for
their labor aud to secure to the
laboring and agricultural classes
the greatest amount of good, hold
to the principle that all monopo-
lies are dangerous to the best in
terests Of the country and il iosa
cred will eventually enslave a
free people and subvert and finally
overthrow the great principles
bought and paid for by the blood
and treasure of our forefathers,
we Therefore adopt the following as
our declaration of principles;
1sr. That, believing in the doc
trine of equal rights to all and es-
pecial privileges to none, we de-
mand that the legislation of the
Cherokee nation shall be so framed
In the future as not to build up one
industry at the expense and Injury
Of others, and we are opposed to
the monopoly Of land, water and
all other gifts of nature.
2ND. That we believe that the
money Of the country should be re-
tanned in the hands of its peole;
therefore we demand that all
national revenues shall be limited
To- the necessary expenses of the
nation, economically administered;
and that we are unalterably op-
posed to a national interest-paying
debt.
3RD That we favor the sale Of
all the lands west Of longitude SO
belonging to the Cherokee nation
at the rate of $500 per acre, pro
yided that the United States gov
crnment will guarantee the ro
moval OF allluJruders ana aUrogat'
/ the 18th article of the treaty o
I 1866. And in order that each cit
/ izcn receive his or her pro rat;
share of said moneys we furthet
REQUIRE the United States govern
maut 10 distribute the aforesaid
moneys To each Cherokee citizeI
that has reached the age Of eigh
teen years at the time of first pay
ment and that a payment be an
nul1y made by said government
t1 those citizens that have arrive,
at the age Of eighteen until sale
funds are exhausted and equlmbly
distributed.
lru That the number of i'm
proyements being made and pub
. iie roads fenced up on our public
. domain. and for many other goo'
and sufficient reasons, we are com
pciled To demand the survY o
. our country into sections, thrcb!
providing for public roads aGi t'
. enable our citizens to better ltatt
their farms and build permaien
. improvements and homes.
jrH. That the revenues for th'
support OF any government sleulC
bear equally upon those that, re-
ceiye its benefits, and realizin-th,
present mode Of raising revetlei
in the Cherokee nation is untma
and unjust, that we are in iayoI OF
a direet tax on property and pn
comes, and Withdrawing Pl
. uuIsbclonging TO the Cheroe'
% nation. paying il out per capia
= save ana except an amply sui
cient fund for educational purpoe
and for the support OF our orphp
. and their education.
Gru That we demand that 4
s United States government shl
- tablish uniform system ~
, price for the travel and trans pr
tation of passengers and treighVI
b all railroads in the United Stai
b and especially in the Indian Teh
3 tory. /
b mn That we are satisfied p
y tits practically impossible for ut'
!. successfully cultivate our l4l
C without skilled labor, thercfl
G we favor Just and equitable iawlI
] reference 10 the PERMITTED citi4
rs of this nation.
o 8rH. Good government b4l
q essential 10 the safety and "
y piuess Of an its Inhabitants, AMI
" srch cannot be expected if ignorf
n selfish and incompetent men
le selected and elected to official }
.y sitions, we do not favor amt
.y not support such for Office. !
ne 0rH. That we request the u
VI gress Of the United States to h
vide by law means to vindid
and decide all claims and an
tons pertaining to the lands
It, moneys Of the Cherokee nationI
al the supreme court Of the Uni
he States.
~ 10. And we also demand Of
ls council measures Of such a chal
he ter as will justly and legally Sc
y the citizenship question IN
ay Cherokee nation, especially
y. those claimants who were !
prior TO 1896.
IN If. That we demand that 3
ts council pass such laws as will IN
IL. II impossible and impracticabl'
of monopolize the public doman