Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-05-21
URGES SPEEDY ACTION.
Judge Clingan Insists that the
Time for Allotment is Here.


cmkLsrA, INp. TRn. May IS, 1921.
EDITOR CnIEFTAIN:-I see that
YOU come out square on allotment.
/ consider it one of tho most inn
nortant questions of to-day with
the people of this nation and a
subject 1t seems the leaders Of our
political parties from want OF man
hood or fear Of political destruction,
fail to say anything about in their
platforms. The time is on us that
something must be done if we ex-
pect TO have anything to say in the
matter of division. The longer we
delay, the fewer acres we Will have
to divide and with greater risk.
But. saws one, the treaty Of 1866
proyides in what means we are to
hold our lands. 1t has been the
course of all enlightened people
to change positions and forms Of
government to meet the existing
wants and conditions. ! venture
the assertion that there is not a
well informed person Of any race
but what thinks the time here to
wind up holding lands in com
mon. Our race is becoming too
much mixed up to be satisfied
with a law or q system that per-
mits others to take possession OF
propertv which properl " belongs
to themselves. The pressure Is
getting great on the inside and
out Of the nation and gaining IN
popularity; this all admit If tins
| is true, why delay ] venture
that all the can didates have pri-
vately assured their friends that il
would be best for US to divide oul
lands. Allow me to remark that
such deception is to-day our great
est enemy. If ii is best for oui
people is it not jus tice to boldly
advocate it, orr not, show why
Let us quit talking to suit The
crowd in which we happen to fall
Manly principles are meritorioul
and deserve respect in any coun
try. We are entering one OF thu
most important canyasses The
Cherokees ever had or viii have
and it behooves every citizen tc
post himself and act accordingly
| in the choice Of his officers. Be
fore the next two years rol
around the sale Of the strip an'
preparations for dividing the re-
naming lands may be in progress
We estimate that there are east O
900 about 260 acres of land pc
head. A fair calculation woul'
not reach more than 60 acres o
tillable lands per head. Thinl
of one person now having thirt.
farms of sixty acres each enclose'
and cultivating them-equal t
1900 acres or to thirty person
shares. Counting his quarter OF
mile limits he has control OF y ,54
acres of land, grass, water, tim
Der and first privilege on all min
erals. Where is the justice an
: where is the poorer Indians inter
? est going? How about the cattle
The man with the big herd is j
the same line-legally robbing Tia
poor, and the poor pay a heav
tax 10 protect both monopoliei
Where are you Joel Mayes, Bushl
head and Benge ? all want to "pe
} petuate" a government that lega
ICES such robbery. Have you n
conscience. or one speck OF maj
, hood ? Claiming to be leaders 9
the people. For what purpose2
; appears for no other motive Una
l selfish purposes. You are not pre-
r viding any remedy and deserve
to be rolled up Salt river and lef
This is plain talk, but some one d
D serves it and is responsible to I'll
n people for allowing them TO be In
( posed upon. The question arise
does our present system OF goverl
ment deserve to live2 ii control
s ed in the manner in which II hi
been for twenty years back
doubt the propriety. The Dow
e ings and Nationals 10 not eve
- mention a division Of our lands;
afraid the fullbloods will not yo
for them. Gentlemen, stand
right, il alone. If you do not 81
l. far enough in the future TO for
Is your opinion on what is inevitab
Ie in regard to dividing our land
= you certainly should not aspire
= the honorable positions you no
Z, seek.
d What does the Hon. James Ba
o bour say on the 3rd Of Feb, 1S1
l. in regard to holding lands in col
- mon: Nothing. It is believe
has had more injurious influen
on our efforts to improve the co
'e dition Of the Indians than holdii
l- their lands In common. Past G
-..-.-- - la 4i.. a4ss.sa..a1f q.
- dence against its praciicability.
y attempt was made in the first 8
e tlement Of Virginia and probab
'e in the early settlements Of the c.
>, oufaf ealaevhoro On the We