Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-08-18

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his improvements by the Cherokee,
Nation before the removal took
place
II seems to me there can be no
very great wrong done these in
truders when they are protected by
such a law. There is no crying
demand that | can see why an in
vestigation should be made into
the circumstances under which
these people have gone there
when they can not be removed un-
less they are there in violation OF
right, and when they will be paid
the full value of their improve
ments, to be assessed by three ap-
praisers to be appointed by the
President Of the United States, be-
fore they can be put out Of the
Cherokee Nation.
AS ! said moment ago, know
nothing about the pending resou-
tion, and | do not know that |
care anything about it; but
think it is due TO the Senate that
the facts should be understood as
to how it is proposed in the report
made by the Committee on Indian
Affairs that the intruders shall be
treated. Just before the Senator
from Connecticut Mr. Platt] left
the Senate he made a report which
seems to me to be elaborate and
full upon this very question Of the
ratification Of the Cherokee agree
ment, and recommends that it be
ratified with certain amendments
which are proposed, the one |
have stated among others.
Mr., Perkins. viii the Senator
from Arkansas permit question ?
Mr.. Jones Of Arkansas Certain
ly.
Mr.. Perkins. | should like to
ask the Senator if the Cherokees,
or the representatives Of the Cher
okees who are here, have not said
to the committee, and said public
ly, that if the amendment to the
agreement suggested by the Sena.
tor from Arkansas was made they
would not accept the bill ?
Mr.. Jones Of Arkansas. I have
no doubt the Cherokees have made
such statements. My observation /
is that they are shrewd traders, and |
# they can increase the price to be |
paid to them by the Government |
by making a show of resistance to
It's ratification ! have no doubt |
hey will do it but at the same |
lime, | am perfectly satisfied that I
hey will agree to the change |
proposed by the Senate.
Mr.. Butler. Mr.. President, per.
laps it Is proper that | should /
make statement in view of what
las already been said by gentle
men on both sides OF this question.
At the last session Of Congress
he committee, of which | had the
lonor to be chairman, were in
tructed to proceed To the Indian
Territory and investigate quite a
lumber Of subjects which were re-
,arded at that time as extremely
to the Indians and to
he Government. | found it i'm
possible to procure the assistance
t the committee and therefore had
o abandon it. But | wish to say
q connection with this matter that
his is one of the subjects which
a@l Gem ;iiittUU intended 10 inquire
lto. 1t has been q matter of dia
ute and controversy aud anxiety
etween the Indians and the GOV
rnment for a number Of years, the
indians on the one hand claiming
lat these people are intruders, aad
ley on the other claiming that
icy are there by invitation and
ecause they have acquired the
ght of citizenship. etc,
| think the Senate will find that
hen we come to ratify the agree I
Ient between the Cherokee In
Ians and the government this very
latter will be a serious stumbling
ock. After conversation with
le delegates of the Cherokees in ,
'ashington | know that they are
)t content atall with having the
'geement modified as suggested
7 the Senator from Arkansas. /
ink it is due TO the Cherokee In
ans and due to the Government,
lder the obligation which the
overnmeut has assumed, that
ese people should be dealt with
irly and equitably and honestly.
here can be no doubt in my
ind, after a very thorough invcs-
cation, that the intruders ought !
be expelled from that territory. q
am not prepared to agree with =
e Senator from Arkansas that it !,
ght to be done at the price he q
ltes. However, that is a ques- $
N which it is now unnecessary
raise but | do insist that this
one of the mostimpOrtant ques.
ms for investigation and the c
ocurement of evidence in order n
at the Senate may act intelli- u
ntly when we come to pass upon
e agreement.
| therefore hope that the resolu
n will pass without regard 10
10 goes on the committee or
10 does not. -
The resolution was finally agreed Y
and Senators Perkins, Butler,
i Higgins, the latter of New
'sey, were appointod'ae the oom- -
ttee. -,
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CAMPAIGN LITERATURE.