Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-05-07

part Of the laboring classes aad
the dissemination of principles
best calculated TO encourage and fos
ter agricultural and mechanical
pursuits in order that they NAV
derive a just remuneration for
their labor and to secure 20 the
laboring and agricultural classes
the greatest amount Of good, bold
to the principle that all monopo.
lies are dangerous to the best in
terests Of the country and ii ios-
tered will eventually enslave a
free people and subvert and finally
overthrow the great principles
bought and paid for by the blood
and treasure of our forefathers,
we Therefore adopt the following as
our declaration OF principles:
1sT. That, believing in the doc
trine of equal rights to all and es-
pecial privileges to none, we de-
mand that the legislation Of the
Cherokee nation shall be so framed
in the future as not to build up one
industry at the expense and injury
of others, and we are opposed to
the monopoly of land, water and
all other gifts of nature.
2ND. That we believe that the
money Of the country should be re-
tanned in the hands Of its peole;
therefore we demand that all
national revenues shall be limited
to the necessary expenses of the
nation, economically administered;
and that we are unalterably OPP
posed to a national interest-paying
debt.
Bird That we favor the sale OF
all the lands west of longitude 96.
belonging to the Cherokee nation
at the rate of $500 per acre, pro-
yided that the United States gov
ernment will guarantee the re-
moval of all intruders and abrogate
the 10Th article of the treaty Of
1866. And in order that each cit
izen receive his or her pro rata
share of said moneys we further
require the United States govern
ment to distribute the aforesaid
moneys to each Cherokee citizen
that has reached the age of eigh-
teen years at the time Of first pay
ment and that a payment be an
nually made by said government
to those citizens that have arrived
at the age Of eighteen until said
funds are exhausted and equitably
distributed.
4TH. That the number Of inn
proyements being made and pub
lie roads fenced up on our public
domain, and for many other good
and sufficient reasons, we are COM
PEELED to demand the survey Of
our country into sections, thereby
providing for public roads and to
enable our citizens to better locate
their farms and build permanent
improvements and homes.
9TH. That the revenues for the
support of any government should
bear equally upon those that re-
oeiye its benefits, and realizing the
present mode Of raising revenues
ii the Cherokee nation is unequal
and unjust, that we are in favor of
a direct tax on property and in
comes, and Withdrawing all
funds belonging TO the Cherokee
nation, paying it out per capita,
save and except an amply 4 Ehtii-
eient fund for educational pI' gses
and for the support OF our os "Fns
and their education. IL
9TH. That we demand thaA.hhe
United States government Snail
establish uniform system and
price for the travel and transport
tation of passengers and freight on
all railroads in the United States
and especially in the Indian Terri
tory.
7TH. That we are satisfied that
it is practically impossible for us to
successfully cultivate our lands |
without skilled labor, therefore !
we favor just and equitable laws in
reference to the PERMITTED citizens
Of this nation.
STH. Good government being |
essential to the safety and hap |
piness of all its inhabitants, and as
such cannot be expected ignorant,
selfish and incompetent men are
selected and elected to official po-
iitions, we do not favor and will
lot support such for office,
9TH. That we request the Con-
gress of the United States to pro-
vide by law means to vindicate
md decide all claims and ques-
ions pertaining to the lands and
Of the Cherokee nation in
he supreme court Of the United
States.