Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1893-11-09
THE ANNUAL MESSAGE
OF CHIEF O. j. HARRIS TO THE
CHEROKEE COUNCIL.
A Needed Lecture on Boonomy =
Few New Departures A Careful
Synopsis Of the Document.

| WdnbN, lOu aiO Dit Dbitus 10 tutil
representatives, to legislate for tn,
common interest of all. / hope
my recommendations will be In
line with your views as to what
legislation is most necessary fol
the better protection of the com
mon interests and the financial
credit of our government. The
laws of no nation have ever been
so complete or comprehensive as
to meet, for any considerable
time, the requirements of a pro-
gressive people. Advancement,
from lower to higher conditions ol
civilization, finds fault with habits
once considered right and proper
and afterwards condemn as being
criminal and unlawful indulgence.
No great number of years have
passed, compared with the life OF
a nation, since our annuities
amounted to a few thousands OF
dollars only, and at the time were
amply sufficient. Later on they
were found insufficient and addi-
tions thereto were made. A great
shortage is again apparent and
must be supplied. This deficien-
cy is due to several causes, but
chiefly to increase in our popula-
ton. A nation may be likened
unto a family; it increases in ex-
pense in proportion to the increase
in numbers. In 1870 our popula-
tion was something less than H.,
600; in 1880, 20,336, and 1890, 26,- =
III. The expenses of our Judicial
ry are about equal to, if not great
er, in some instances, than that Of
the legislative and executive de-
partments of our government. Our
annuities are not what they were
from 1870 to 1880, as during that
time large sums were coming in
from the sale of lands in Kansas.
Retrenchment must take place
somewhere or other provisions
must be made to place our govern
ment on a better financial footing.
At the close of the last fiscal year
the Indebtedness Of our general
fund was sl57, III 80; of the school,
s11, 70S. .45; of the Orphan, 81 ,SS7.-
%, and of the Insane, Old and De-
crepit, 81, ,2SS.00 aggregating in
a sum total, Sl79, ,990.17. BY care.
ful and economical management
| am satisfied that all Of these will
redeem themselves in a few years
with but very little help, except
the general fund. Especially,
therefore, would / call your atten-
ton to the necessity of reducing
the expenses incurred in the trial
of criminal cases. This may not
be sufficient to relieve the indebt-
edness OF the general fund, but it
will do much towards that pur-
pose. For the fiscal year of 1892
the amount of certificates audited
was, in round numbers, s37 900;
for that of 1898, something over
$50, 600. Now it you will take the
S75, 900, which is about the amount
Of our general fund annuity, you
will find that the first years
amount of certificates lacks but
little of being one half of that an
nuity, and the second years some
hing over -fourihs In the
first instance you have s3S, 600. and
in the second s15, 900 for all other
of our government. Last
council cut salaries $4,000; 'the
salary list is now s26, ,450 per year.
Another source Of great expense
Is the claims annually allowed by
These claims are as in
as time itself and as in
exhaustible as its possibilities.
The present mode of Investigation
seems inadequate and | recommend
that committee or commission be
to sit and examine alT-
claims at a specified time outside
Of council, reporting their findings
thereto. As an example: There
were 500 claimants for per capita
In 1891. some running back to 1880
and including all intervening pay.
ments.
| respectfully call your attention
10 the annual expenses Of the Ma
tional Council for the years Of
1912. The object in doing this
is that you may discover where re-
may be possible.
The regular and extra terms of 1891,
respectively, cost SIG, ,S69 and sl5,-
493. %; total, s32 1862 %; 1892, reg
nlar s15, ,S42; extra, s5 $40; total,
S21 ,49l This was about one-half
and one-third, respectively, Of %
general fund of 5000. Add to
this 100000 in tickets issued by
the clerks and you will understand
why we are in debt.
| suggest that there be covered
into the general fund the s45, ,736 in
the subtreasurv, the difference be-
tween the amount appropriated by
congress and the $3.50, 900 set apart
for payment of intruders. From
work already done | am satisfied
there will be a considerable balance
due us from this fund, and it can
not be better employed than in
paying our debts.
| suggest that law be passed to
Incarcerate prisoners neglecting or
unable to give bond, in the nation
al Jail, pending trial. Another
eak which should be stopped is
he disregard OF the law relating
o the number Of witnesses which
nay be subpenaed in criminal
md civil cases.
As an Offset against the current
expenses of our nation, would |
respectfully call your attention to
he sources of internal revenue. |
AN but admit that it is not what it
honld he IL wa nronarlv consider /