Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-08-13
ALLOTMENT IDEAS.
We Must do Something or 5ho
United States will.


Ecu1, Iyu. Tlg.. Aug. lIth, I.aI
EDITOR CuIEFTAIN:-Since the
election is over 1 suppose you win
have @ little more space 10 devote
to questions other than political.
Though the Allotment question
might be considered q political
one | will nevertheless venture a
few thoughts in relation to IT, In
asmuch as the question has been
brought fairly and ably before the
people by your valuable paper
during the campaign just closed, |
desire 90 see il still further pre-
sented and discussed as in my
opinion we will all have to agree
sooner or later and allot this coun-
try for self protection. / would
suggest that the allotment move
lnent be an organized one, with q
president and other necessary
officers, so as to insure united and
aggressive action at once. A petit
ton might be circulated asking
congress to assist US in the matter.
The settlement Of the intruder
question should be attended %
first; a Joint commission is the
most popular plan have yet
heard. IF We do not do this con-
gress will clothe the Territory o..
5. courts with jurisdiction and the
citizen question be settled in them,
which latter course is to be greatly
feared as we would not stand much
show Of being duly recognized.
But If we do not take mold and do
something the United States will
do it for US, and it is needless to
say that the Indian will "get left. "
Now the wise policy would be
always to take the initiative in any
movement that is so fer reaching
and portentious as the one in
question.
/ fully endorse the position
taken in regard to the outlet in
last weeks CHIEFTAIN. Ihave con-
suited some Of the best lawyers in
the country aud they all say the
title is in the Cherokees. Now my
opinion is that If we were
allowed to allot among ourselves
only a part Of the Strip il would
beat selling. Say 50 acres TO the
head and sell the balance to the
United States government for
hite settlement. Congress would
undoubtedly agree 20 an arrange
ment of this kind and IL would
forever settle the question Of the
Strip lands.
Tor one would be wiling %
take my pro rata share Of land all
west Of 96 degrees and move there
u / could get n good title 20 il, for
1 ana free 20 confess That am tired
of the great uncertainty OF holding
land i'm common. The country has
been whitfield down, down, until
IL is getting mighty small, anl
what We have len is in great dan.
ger Of going too. Iloy tell US thai
council cannot sell our land, but
tell you they can, because dunua
my lifetime they have sold the
Neutral strip in Kansas, and The
Osage country and the land that
the Otoes, Missourias, Nez Perces
Tonkaways, Paucas and PaWnoei
are occupying, No one can dis
pute this and all these lands hav,
gone from us and the money hal
been spent, the most OF 10 for de-
fraying the expenses OF our It'll,
but very rotten government Now
who IN the face OF all this, viii
say that council can not eall land
for one do not want my rights
and those Of my fnmily exposed tt
the action Of council, because they
are not safe. ! DO not mean {
reflect upon oar members Of coun
ell for / believe they arc goos
men but il is too much power I,
place IN thoir hands. The cor
gressmen IN the states have nc
such power over their constituents
as our councillors and senators
have, for our very homes are il
their hands, and the great, greedy
United States government stand.
ready 10 retify every land sale thai
oIr counoil can ne induool ~