Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-02-26

cannot properly be censured-i u
matters not who utters them
may be permitted to utter mine.
Chief Mayes having within less
than 65 days signed the law ano
rounded up council for their long
and expensive session and warned
them that they alone were account
able to their constituents--in the
face Of this and other things asking
him to convene council ON even the
gravest proposition, was dead
ener." The chiefs opinion on the
LAW, as given in his answer, is
mostunsAtisfactory. If, lawyer as he
is, he did not know that com mon
illusions and comparisons do not
make constitutions, he had as well
throw up his chances, No one can
doubt bat the Arkansas river is the
line drawn by the first section of
the cow.law, and that all cattle
brought from west Of said river in, ,
to the Cherokee nation east of said
river shall pay tax Of fifty cents.
1t is enough to satisfy the people
when the chief magistrate of a ma
ton is compelled to use common
illusions" to establish a consti-
tutional opinion upon. 1t is very
clearly seen by the way the chief
starts his answer that he wished to
throw cold water on the request Of
the petitioners, stating that they
were mostly non citizens. This
was conveying theidea, if possible,
that it was only a white mans
move and knowing on this account
that prejudice could be easily
aroused among the Cherokees and
they be thus controlled. If | am
not mistaken the people, Chero-
KEGS and all, are thinking for the
best at this time. Allusions will
not be viewed with favor unless
substantiated by clear proofs If
the non-citizens suggest ideas and
volunteer to aid US in the right IL
certainly becomes us, as lovers of
our country and people not TO al.
lude to them in way calculated
to injure them with the prejudiced
class Of The people. AS to refer
ence to the cowmen in that part Of
the letter relating to class legisla-
ton, no explanation is given and
'twould have been better had the
chief not mentioned it. The peo-
pie are not asleep. How many
cowmen are there2 Can they and
their money control matters next
August2 As to time Of iutroduc-
tion, April Is. l believe the chief
told the truth when he said he was
at loss to know what to say as to
facts in this matter and At loss to
know yet, il he cannot explain bet
ter than he has Experience should
have been sufficient to have con-
trolled his actions, aside from
knowing that 81 head was prof
fered by parties most concerned in
the passage of this law--then sign
ing Tor fifty cents a head. Joel
you have heretofore held out for
the biggest dollar" in matters of
doubt, but when you knew to a
certainty that 81 head could be
got you softened up Was any
offered or suggested?
No sir; this will raise revenue to
pay us out and we will pass it if it
does destroy the poor, hardwork-
ing farmers cattle or the poor wild
ow 8 last COW and let her children
pleadingly look up into her face
and cry, " Mamma, is there no
milk?' Wonder if any of those
councilmen were ever little fellows
or headed a family. | allude to
those who forced the law upon the /
people. Time win speak volumes
if the cattle should die next sum
mer as expected. My illusions in /
this matter do not apply person. /
ally, but to official and public acts.
Understand me, we are not oppos- 1
ing the revenue part but must say |
that 81 so could have been got as
easy ms 50cents. Under the old law /
March lst was the limit; the differ
ence is 45 days in favor Of the new /
law which to any cowman is worth /
nt a low estimate 81 SO a head, /
considering losses sustained by /
in in winter, feed, care,
etc. Why not, then, demand this /
amount before signing The bill, /
when these facts were known2 lfl
not observe illusions on the sub
ect in answer enough cowmen
we're consulted on tie extension OF
lime to have found out from. But
| am not hitting the cowman, it's
.he law, and lest weary the read
ar, / will close. Yours, as ever,
j. X. CLINGAN.
p SIN my letter of last week /
observe an important error in the
figures. A computation Of the val
lie of Cherokee property, had all
ands been kept to the present day
md sold at 81 % an acre, shows a
otal which divided per capita
among 26,000 people gives about
.4519. each.
X &