Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-01-21
JOHN WILLIAM BROWNE RE
VIEWS THE WORK OF
COUNCIL.
rAnLnauAn. Jan. 10. ls02


inspection of its work, one might
sum up its doings without doing
injustice
II may be said, and without res
eryation or fear Of contradiction,
that this council was the most ex-
traordinary body of legislators
ever got together "in the name OF
the Cherokee nation" Whether
il be considered in its freshness
from the people, q came near say
ing cowmen,) in its ineXperlence,
not 10 say ignorance, in its bind
partizanism, and generally in its
lack Of everything essential IN q
tree. enlightened and representa-
tive legislature From the begin
ming the capeus was supreme, and
ia the caucus country was set aside
and party was made Lord OF all.
This is true of both parties, and II
IS unfortunate for the nation that
such is the fact, and neplectlng the
general interest, the leaders ON
both sides gave themselves over
to technical obstrusities that nelth
er side understood and putted away
two months OF time at cost OF
thirty thousand dollars in showing
the people how new men with old
leaders could do nothing when they
tried. In only one instance were
the parties agreed, and that
was when they voted their war
rants preferred and took the money
that belonged to the school fund
and senrthe poor teachers home
without pay. AS financial strait
gists they are admirable.
The majority, at the opening OF
the session, with much bluster
gave it out that no more extra ses-
sions would be had squandering
the public funds and debgqching
public morals. Well what was the
result? They did not have an ex-
tra session but they had double
extra session in which the founda-
ton of the biggest job ever known
in this nation was successfully laid,
and when completed the pillars Of
this government viii have been de-
stroyed
The work of the council may be
summed up in some half dozen
measures besides the regular APP
preparation bills, most Of which
were private and inconsequental
to the general public
The amended 'cow law, good,
no doubt, in its intentions, but
practically to the cowman's
hands. "
The joint resolution directing
the supreme court to cancel the
licenses Of two attorneys for alleg-
ed violations of the law, will ever
remain a monument OF the stu
pendous ignorance Of the men who
voted it, and this resolution was
passed in a senate in which -four
men had seats-One had been chiei
justice OF the supreme court, one
had been justice on the same
bench, one had been prominent
candidate for the same place. and
one served two years as a district
judge, all of them expounders of
the constitution An attorneys I
license is vested right bought and /
paid for at a price and under con
ditions fixed by the grantor, and |
can only forfeit for cause, and then /
only by "due process of law.
Naturally enough this might have /
occurred in a South Carolina legis- /
laiure in reconstruction days, but /
at this day and time in the Chero-
kee national council, to think that
Ignorance or worse has such a hold
is appalling Comments useless.
The handwriting is on the wall,
weighed in the balance and found
wanting.
The ominous bill usually called
the auditors report. contains some
strange Inconsistencies. An item
Of several hundred dollars appears
on it in favor of law frm for ser
vices in defending Percy WHY,
late sheriff Of Delaware district. in
The matter ofthe Audrain Williams
cattle seizure; but an item Of sew
sral more hundred dollars does not
appear on the bill. This item is
.or service Of guards, herders and
heir board while taking care of
.hese same cattle. Will some one
explain this difference? The claim
# the guards and hsrders was filed
before the senate. 1t had, am
old, the special recommendation
If the chief Did Delaware have
10 senators in the council2 Each
me Of the three lawyers who were
20 promptly paid haa good fat
,laces from which they can reach
'ut al will and give a tug at the
public teat. The benficiaries of
he item that did not appear are
Dour devils whose daily labor is
heir chance for bread you may
'ay your money and take your |
hoice.
Another item on the current ex- {
,ense bill of the extra session of !
leven hundred dollars, for the /
'eneiit of a Tahlequah law firm. Z
by a Muskogee at, d
orney, deserves at least passing Z
lotice. 1t is related that the late /
hiet Mayes entered into con- l
ract with a firm Of Tahlequah law
'ers, TO which this Muskogee at. @
orney was added, Gust why the i
elator failed to say.) The CON 9
ract was to be approved by the t
Iational council, and the lawyers f
we're to receive in good sound war i
ants or cash, twenty-five hundred v
Iollas for defending the Cherokee n
iation at Muskogee. Following
his agreement, which was never e
atisfed formally By the national c
II. Il