Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-02-12

7 linen enter IN ana ENJOY the least
And we find a large majority ol
them joining with the white man
in one powerful protest against an
additional string Of red tape that
was intended 70 benefit the Chero-
kee alone the cattle law. On this
subject and those Of similar import
they meet on common ground, be-
cause if the farmer is deprived OF
his stock by disease or unreasona-
bic taxation he is crippled in his
resources and will raise an inferior
crop and make inferior improve
ments, and the landlord and tenant
are both loser aud both certainly
have right to claim protection.
The lab0rer is worthy OF his hire
and ii the Cherokces will not lis
ten to the demands Of their wealth
producers, as long as their de-
mands are reasonable, there Is
only one of two courses TO be pur-
sued. One is to become very
slave, the other is to emigrate. |
don't believe the Cherokees can
afford either. Would il not be
better to have only one toll-gate on
the road to prosperity through
which all should be compelled to
pass once a year? The FIRST Chero-
kee that presents himself says, |
have so many in family; according
to the census there would fall to
me under allotment so many acres
OF land; | have only claimed so
many, which is about one-iourth
Of our allotment; ! have so much
stock and it can easily be seen that
they can Craze upon my allotment,
so free pass should issue. The
second Cherokee presents himself
with so many in family; he has
claimed a great many more acres
than would fall to him in allot-
ment; he has large baggage of
horses and cattle that Craze upon
lands to which he has now no legal
right and he should pay for all
privileges which he uses that do
not belong TO him. The white
man comes next. lie admits that
he has no right and presents his
baggage Of cattle and other stock
and is charged just the same toll
as the second Cherokee has paid
for the extra privileges. A rev.
enue is thus provided and no one
has a right to complain for each
has had the benefit Of all that by
right belongs to him
Now | have another idea but |
am not interested in this: The
United States folks claim that on
account Of law or custom, or for
some other reason, it is impossible
for them to give more than one
dollar and quarter per acre for
the strip. The Cherokees claim
their holding is worth more and
they fail to make a trade and bill
is introduced in congress to steal
it. Now if they haven't carried
this joke too far, why not every clti-
zen of the ration and non-citizen
too FOR that matter, petition the
United states for authority TO deed
the strip is actual settlers under
the rules Of the United States land
the land to be appraised /
and each quarter section to be sold /
on its merits? The dignity Of the /
United States viii not be compro-
missed under this agreement and /
the Cherokees will get the value .
of their lands. If the Cherokees /
owe the United States any amount +
il should be paid from the princi- +
pal when collected Perhaps il +
would be well enough to make the +
sales on a low rate Of interest;
when desired, the interest should +
20 to the support Of the Cherokee I
government, but All Of the prinoi-
pal should be paid only by the re-
,eiver Of the land Office in per
,apita payments to the Cherokee
citizens. h.