The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-25
TEHIEOUAH GOSSIP.

al. 4. - - q
mnch better feeling among the Cherokees.
caused by the hereported satisfactory arrange
ment FOR the sale OF the Cherokee strip
! bonds. AS result, much of the suspicion
engendered by the numerous reports OF
crookedness on the part of Chief Harris
aud the other delegates having the bond
| matter in hand has been allayed.
So far as Chief Harris and Treasurer
Starr are concerned. nobody here has ever
doubted their good intentions, but it is the
outside associates OF the delegation who
have aroused the indignation Of the pub
lie.
The people realize that the chief is not
responsible for the acts OF the gang OF
| hapgers-oa who followed him 10 Wash
ington; yet they mad hoped that Peel,
Owen, Bell and others would get lost in
the shuffi. in a way that would rebound
TO Chief Harris credit. Knowing full
well the past record of these men aud un-
derstanding equally as well the magnitude
of the bond deal, the Cherokees, being
naturally suspicious, have never been off
guard respecting the actions OF the present
delegation.
The news that Chief Harris is remain
ing true 10 his trust regardless of reports
TO the contrary, is reasSurlug, and there Is
great rejoicing here over tie report that
the Sc. 000, 900. with good premium. is
near at hand All the merchants who
have been selling goods on the prospective
payment are especially happy. Should
Chief Harris raturn with the money aud
sncceed in getting it in the hands of the
people without unnecessary delgy, the
chances are that the Downing party will
win he approaching election with hands
down.
The Indian Chieftaiu, the newspaper of
the allotment and statehood faction. yes
terday published report which was cur
rent here for some days, that Secretary
Starr has been advised by the schemers TO
retain 20 per cent of the whole amount
received on the bonds as payment for his
services 10 receiving the money. This has
furnished food for new sensation and is
being talked Of by Starr's political enemie.
There is no question about such steal
being altogether practicable aud legal, for
that matter. but such II course would kill
Starr politically, and amount to about the
same. thing as highway robbery The
Cherokee statutes contain law desig-
mating the treasurer as the nations col
lector, allowing 20 per cent upon all
moneys collected on the strip, whether
from sale of the lands or for grazing
purposes. This law was made to apply in
the case of eX-Treusurer Ross, three years
ago, when he received 5000 OF the last
payment made by the old stock associa-
ton. Ross was severely condemned. but
the Legislature fiualiy sustained his course.
IL is probably an oversight OF the Iegisla-
ture in allowing this law to remain in
effect, but the Indians have too much cou
tidence in their treasurer to believe that
he would take advantage OF the oversight
and retain 20 per cent, which would
amount to many thousands of dollars.
The celebrated Greek steal, four years
ago, involving a loss to the nation of
$3.50 200, was worked through upon
precisely the same plan. General
Creek delegates at the time
the money was taken, and
figured as the principal in the steal III an
inves igation which followed. No at
tempt was made to conceal the matter, as
the law justified the action Of the delegates
in appropriating the $500, 600 TO their own
use. A great flourish OF guns took place
at the time, and Porter and his colleagues
were compelled TO seek their homes by
byways for fear of being assassinated.
The angry spell blew over finally, aud
Porter is now holding an important elect
i've office in the nation.
Nobody here thinks for moment that
a similar job could be worked on the
Cherokees with the perpetrators escap-
ing the penitentiary. law or no law
james Duncan, special alloting agent on
the strip, LEFT here last evening for his field
of labor. His instructions, officially
promulgated by the Interior department.,
are not so broad as at first supposed.
1t seems that Duncan is only 10 take evil
deuce with reference to the 1872 or more
Cherokee claimants and refer such proof
back TO the secretary for approval Dun
cans job, however, VIII not be any easy
one, aud 1t is predicted that long delay
wild be occasioned over the aliotments.