Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1893-11-09
Both Houses Organize Prompt.
Iy Editorial Correspondence.
TAnIrovAn. !. n. Nov. 8. 1s09


ton and discussion here in Table
quah among members and visitors
citizens and non. citizens, it woulC
be as "easy as folling off log" L
do so. The sale Of the Strip bonds
and the per capita payment that il
to follow is the thing that every
body loves to talk about and il layt
everything else in the shade il
point of interest.
If there is anyone opposed to Q
sale on the terms recently propos'
ed they are keeping quiet and are
in hopeless minority.
Both houses of council met Mon
day morning, only two members
being absent, Senators Wash
bourne, Of Delaware, and Ross, Of
Tahlequah,) and organized the
same day, thing unusual though
commendable. r. NJ. (Dick)
Wolf, Of Goingsnake, was elected
president of the senate by accla-
nation, a well deserved compli.
ment to his ability and expert
ence.
The lower house elected for its
speaker Bird Jones, a fullblood,
from Saline district. This body
is composed largely of fullblood
Cherokees, who are very much
pleased at the selection Of Mr..
Jones as their speaker.
One of the very first questions
to be "tackled," f" is the proposal
setting aside of a part of the pro-
ceeds of the Strip Tor liqui dating
the public debt, and, strange as it
may seem, il is almost sure to be
done. Many members are oppos-
ed to taking lie peoples money
that they have so long expected
and waited for, to pay the nations
debts incurred. as most people be-
lieve, by proAigate and extrava-
CANT administration of public af-
fairs, but are afraid of and opposed
to any system oftd1ation, however
reasonable and uniform. Taxa
tion is a departure, and very
radical one, from the old beaten
track of the Indian way of raising
revenue and smacks strongly Of
the white mans way, and there
fore will not be adopted. I'm.
swayed by the wiser heads of their
leaders, the average member
would vote 20 repudiate the debt
and swell the coming payment to
to the utmost.
Chief Harris is chief, but the
senate ana council are both against
him; they are of an altogether diff
feren political faith and will not
hesitate to override his authority
or his veto either, if it become ex-
pedient. The chief occupies very
much the position Of the driver Of
a team of spirited horses, who has
thrown away the reins, but still
occupies the seat. II this "team"
decides to keep in the middle of
the road" all will 60 well, but if
not, something may be heard to
"drap."
1t is impossible to map out or
even guess at what will be done
during the sitting Of the present
Council, but more will be done
than can be finished in the regu-
lar(?) session; this is universally
admitted, and the holidays will be
reached before adjournment.
The town is literally overhowing
with claimants to citizenship, old
and young, male and female, white
and black; people Of all conditions
and degrees of intelligence. At
torneys are very busy indeed work
ing these, for the most part, poor,
deluded frauds that would in some
instances sell out their souls for a
fright"
If the intelligent Indian, (not
the Indian for revenue) would take
the proper view of this claimant
business he would hasten to fix
things so far as land and money is
concerned, so that outside people
would have no need to perjure
themselves to get interests in the
same.
If anyone thinks there is any
question connected with the judi
cial, the legislative, or the execu-
tive branches OF this Cherokee
government that is not political,
he is sadly mistaken. "To the
victors belong the spoils," and the
incoming Nationals are breaking no
alabaster boxes Of sweetness to be
wasted on the outgoing Downings;
it is as a matter of course and is
taken so.
Mr.. ]. S. Stapler, it is under
stood, is in New York for the pur-
pose of negotiating a sale of the
bonds, and it is confidently ex-
pected and believed that they will
be sold shortly. II is probable
that the present delegation will
continue until sale is effected.
The attorney general controversy
between w. w. Hastings and X.
w. Walker came up in the supreme
court Monday. and was taken un-
der advisement. Those who think
they know say that the decision
will be in Hastings favor when it
is rendered.
Editor Lindsey, of the Wagner
Record, is here trying 10 find some
body who is willing 10 say that
John II. Beck is a fraud, inasmuch
as John mas sued the Record for