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.

CHELSEA. ISD. TRR., May l6. lsol.
EDITOR CHIEFTAIN:-I see that
YOU come out square on allotment,
| consider it one of the most i'm
portant questions of to-day with
the people of this nation and a
subject it seems the leaders of our
political parties from want of man.
hood or fear of political destruction,
fell 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, says one, the treaty of 1856
provides 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 law or system that per-
mits others to take possession of
property which properly belon gs
to themselves. The pressure is
getting great on the inside and
out of the nation and gaining in
popularity; this all admit. If this
is true, why delay ? / venture
that all the can didates have pri-
vately assured their friends that it
would be best for us to divide our
lands. Allow me TO remark that
such deception is to-day our great
est enemy. If il is best for our
people is it not justice to boldly
advocate it, OF if not, show why 3?
Let us quit talking to suit the
crowd in which we happen to fall.
Manly principles are meritorious
and deserve respect in any counr
try. We are entering one >ef the
most important canyasses the
Cherokees ever bed or will have
and IT behooxes every citizen to
postkimself and act accordingly
IN the choice of his officers. Be
fore the, next two years roll
around the sale of the strip and
preparations for dividing the re-
naming lands may be in progress.
We estimate that there are east OF
$50 about 260 acres Of land pei
head. A fair calculation would
not reach more than 60 acres o
tillable lands per head. Think
of one person now having thirty
farms Of sixty acres each enclosed
and cultivating them-equal Il
1900 acres or to thirty persons
shares. Counting his quarter of a
mile limits he hac control of II, ,54I
acres of land, grass, water, tim
ber and first privilege on all min
erals. Where is the justice anC
where is the poorer Indians inter
est going? How about the cattle
The man with the big herd is il
the same line-legally robbing th'
poor, and the poor pay a heay.
tax TO protect both monopolies
Where are you Joel Mayes, Bushy
head and Benge =? all want to "per
petuate" a government that legal
ICES such robbery Have you nC
conscience, or one speck Of man
hood ? Claiming to be leaders o
the people. For what purpose2 !
appears for no other motive thai
! selfish purposes. You are not pro
r viding any remedy and deserve L
to be rolled up Salt river and left
This is plain talk, but some one dc
serves Il and is responsible to tn
people for allowing them to be i'm
posed upon. The question arises
does our present system Of govern
ment deserve TO live? II control
ed in the manner in which il ha
been for twenty years back "
doubt the propriety. The Down
ings and Nationals do not evel
mention n division Of our lands; S
afraid the fullbloods will not vot
for them. Gentlemen, stand fo
right, If alone, If you do not Sc
= far enough in the future TO forn
your opinion on what is inevitabl
in regard TO dividing our lands
you certainly should not aspire 4
: the honorable positions you nov
seek.
What does the Hon. James Bar
bour say on the 3rd of Feb, 1896
| in regard to holding lands in com
mon. "Nolbing, n is believed
has had more injurious inhuenc
on our efforts 10 improve the cen
dition Of the Indiana than holdinl
their lands in common. Past ex
perience has left the strongest eyi
den0c against its praciicabilliy. AZ
attempt was made in the first 81
Element Of Virginia and probah''
IN the early settlemonls Of the foI
on;st selsewhore. On the |I