Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-11-12
CHIEF MAYES' MESSAGE.
A Synopsis of the Document Civ
ing it's Principal Features.

After the opening passages the
chief spoke of education. The an
nual income is SAG, 176.14; this,
with what may be added from the
internal revenue should keep all
our schools in a hourishing condi-
ton. Recommended: That pay
Of teachers be increased; board of
education re-established; price of
board reduced to $500 month at
seminaries.
The revenue Of the nation could
be materially increased by & revi-
sion OF the system of collection.
Recommended: That a supervisor
of revenue, and collector for each
district be provided for. to be ap-
pointed by the Principal Chief and
confirmed by the senate. The dis
trict collectors should collect all
revenues, grant license, sell strays,
issue permits, taking these duties
away from the district officers.
They should make a detailed state
ment to the supervisor tri-monthly,
who should make quarterly returns
to the treasurer. Their pay should
not exceed ten per cent. of col
lections.
The expense of criminal trials
for last year was s3s, ,216.4l. This
should be materially reduced.
Recommended: That the nation be
divided into two criminal districts,
and judge provided to hold two
sessions of court a year at Table
quah for each of these districts.
and some Of the other
higher crimes should be tried by
this court. The accused should
be confined in the national Jail if
not bailed. Appeal to the SUI
preme court should be granted.
After describing the unfortunate
question in its various
bearings, detailing the plan Of OPP
Grafton of the citizenship associa-
ton (and making no allusion to
the citizenship schemes of some of
our own attorneys) the chief says:
| ask that you make one more APP
peal for protection with the under
standing if it fails to get relief from
this oppression, that the Cherokees
proceed quietly and peacefully TO
eject these Unauthorized persons
from our land. If we perish in
the attempt to prevent this out
rage it is only what we will event
lally do by sitting still aud letting
them strangle Us,
In regard to the monopoly of
the public domain the chief said
there were many lawful ways TO
prevent this evil. If /, or any
other citizen, should fence up and
us more of this common property
han q reasonable amount, let me
pay the other oitizens who are de-
prived Of the use Of it, tax that
will richly compensate them for
.hus being deprived Of the use of
The same; fix a limit of acres that
each adult citizen shall use for
farming purposes alone, and on all
Of this reasonable amount,
ct tax be placed that will make
I profitable to the owner of the
same to let his neighbor who is
deprived of it by this monopoly,
nave the use of the same. This
will open a way for all who wish
o farm. Make the penalty for
he leasing of land strong and eff.
ective. The leasing of our prai-
lie land for number of years
caves the land in a worse condi-
ion than when the wild grass
rev upon it, In many instances
I is left worthless,
That the chief Is unalterably at
aohed to the doctrine of holding
and in common is shown in the |
opening passages ofthat portion of
he message that refers to the pub
ic domain. He says The con-
titution and laws of the Cherokee |
iation make its domain the CON-
non property of the Cherokee peo- /
lie, wisely intending that all /
hould reap a benefit from the
anne and making the homes OF our
'eople inalienable.
There is no doubt but this is
be true system OF government for
he protection of the poor and help
ess in the continued possession
f their homes. Hence we
aye no paupers, There is not
citizen of the Cherokee nation
ut who can have a place he can
all home; a piece of land that he
nd his posterity can hold in per
etuity. This no doubt is the best