Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-02-19

hANob W WV INhHio ~ Wv
Territory. The system under which
we derive taxes makes them come
so easy the people do not appreci-
ate their value and failto take any
great interest towards economizing.
When we think of a nation of
less than 5000 inhabitants requir-
ing about s225,0o0 annually TO run
their government machine there is
a very suggestive idea that an eye
to the welfare OF our people was not
very dilligent and an apparent
need ofreform presents itself Now
let us figure; 1t is easy to count
il. Each individual pays tax OF
about 80; but charging the taxes
to the voting population of our ma
ton, which is less than 4 400, each
voter would pay s5l and fraction
yearly, or for every vote cast for
chief S204. Now, fellow citizens,
are we getting our money back 2
Think of it it is serious matter
coming right to our fre-sides and
towards vui last pony. Can we
get S204 worth of protection out Of
the present aspirants, in case either
be elected? :? No, if matters are not
changed. You have right to ex-
anime the gentlemen's ability,
their records and the probable sur
roundings after election. Hold
them up and sift them for honesty
and integrity and see how they
weigh~out. We claim our present
mode of taxation bears unequal
hardships on the poor Indian or
that class Of citizens. For an IL
lustration we will take person
who owns property to the amount
of 5000 with four In his family,
and one worth $500 with ten in his
family. Considering we draw
Sl42 900 annually on invested fund
it would be about s6 per head.
The $4,000 person with four in
his family would pay s24 tax,
while the $500 person with ten in
his family pays $50, making the
poor man pay 250 per cent. more
tax than the rich or $50, 900 person.
You cannot get out of it, and fur
ther, suppose this rich person has
1000 head Of cattle and eight to ten
farms, which is the case in many
and the poor man has
ten head of cattle and one farm;
does it not suggest itself that aside
you lose the benefit of your grass
and land but paying taxes at the
rate of $50 per cent. more than the
man who gets the benefit of all of
this for the purpose Of protecting
said rich men in order that he may
rob your What a gump that can't
see. Study this, Indian. You
cannot make it anything else. We
are talking for you and in your be-
half and not charging you, only
good will. If | am wrong, please
some good, honest person correct
me; he would be considered my
friend.
The way out is to cut down our
present representation, turn our
present schools into industrial
schools make our prison a pa, ing
institution by inventing tools and
shops or lease the inmates out
punish all violators of the law a
strict accountability of all officers
and citizens equal taxation and
protection and a strict observance
IF justice to all. This cannot be
lone under the present mode of
'aising revenue. Suppose we draw
)ut our invested funds except
sufficient amount TO keep our
schools in running order, and pay
per capita; the amount would pay
he poor mans tax long while
md raise a revenue by taxing our
property according to its valuation.
Think of the vast amount of land !
he Cherokees have disposed Of
Il 600, ,000 acres-so says the chief;
'wning now, including STRIP, about !
g 600, GOO acres.
The land treaty between the !
United States was made in 1871, !
ust 100 years ago; in that time We |
lave disposed of 81 ,000,000 acres.
At this rate of reduction in sixteen
'ears we will not have any land for
homes, 94,000,000 is the total we
low and have owned. If we had |
'etained it each of us would have |
',577 acres the whole acreage |
would have made strip around |
he earth nearly four miles wide,
md had it sold for so cents per |
lcre would have brought s4, ,650,- |
100, or at sl.25, s11, ,625, 900. |
This amount per capita for 26, 900 |
inhabitants would be the enormous
ium of S447,1
Now, fellow citizens, under what
ystem of government has all this |
occurred? Owning land in common
md raising revenue from invested |
unds.
Gentlemen, l want to administer
N my part. Let us allot and be
lone with it and do il ourselves.
.et us compare the United States
government in few instances with
'urs in the last 120 years: Be-
,inning with thirteen states no
money whipping England, pay
ng the expenses Of said war; gain
d about GOO per cent. in territory; /
lad a Mexican war; Indian wars,
nd a civil war AT a cost Of net less :
han $40. .OOO, 900, 600 and to-day can
,oast Of being one of the mos. pow
irful nations on earth. Booming