Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-07-19

To the Honorable Chairman, Ju-
dietary Committee of Senate:
SIR:-Several bills providing for
an increase Of judicial facilities in
Indian Territory have been intro
duced in either branch of congress-,
and referred to appropriate COM
mittees. As the Cherokee nation
will be interested in whatever ac-
ton may be taken by congress in
the matter, we beg to place few
statements before your committee,
and would ask for them a favorable
consideration
To properly adjust the provis-
ions of any bill which tontem-
plates an Improvement of the
judicial system Of the Indian Ter
ritory, several circumstances
should be taken into consideration,
such as the geography OF the coun-
try, means of travel to and from
seats of justice, the magnitude and
locations Of population, and so on.
Without entering into extended
discussion of the subject, we
would insist that a court should be
located at Vinita in the Cherokee
nation, for the following reasons:
1. The census bulletin No %,
1891, shows that in the Indian
Territory there were at that time
50,647 Indians; colored people H.
724; and others than Indians and
colored Ill ,493, making a total Of
176, ,S64.
2. Col. Wisdom, United States
Indian agent for union agency, in
his report for 1898, says there are
in the Indian Territory $500
citizens, and 10000 non. citizens,
making a total of 300, 800 people
in the Territory.
3. The bulletin above cited,
shows citizens 29,599 in the
Cherokee nation, and others than
citizens 7,176, making a total
population in the Cherokee nation
OF So, ,S75.
4. Col. Wisdom in his report
above cited says the land of the
five tribes "wili aggregate in
round numbers 20,00O,0 200 acres. "
5. 1t is known that the Chero-
kee nation comprises 5000 600
acres.
6. Hence it may be seen from
the above data that the Cherokee
nation comprises one fourth of the
entire area of the Indian Territory,
and at least one fourth of its pop
ulation.
Z. Now, if it be desirable to
place the courts in easiest reach
of the people, it follows that a
court should be domiciled some
where in the Cherokee nation.
The question then presents itself
as to where would be the most
eligible place in that nation?
The answer is, at Vinita, for
the following reasons:
Although Vinita may not be
precisely at the geographical
centre of the Cherokee nation. its
ease of access both by rail and
other modes of travel renders il
really central for all practical
purposes. Railroads cross at that
point, and country roads point in
there from all sides over the
smooth prairie.
Vinita has population Of about
two thousand, more. or less; it has
big stores. bank, hotels,
churches, schools and colleges.
The people are intelligent, enter
prising and hospitable.
Federal expenses in the item of
mileage would be greatly reduced
if court were held here.
A report of the select committee
on the five civilized tribes was
recently submitted to the senate
in which it is said: "The expense
of prosecuting crime and main.
tanning courts in the Indian Ter
ritory amounts to about one
seventh of the judicial expenses
of the United States, and this not
because crime rs more prevalent
in the Indian Territory than is
usual in new and unsettled coun-
tries, but because of the system
under which justice is supposed ia
be administered therein"
One of the inperfections Of that
system is pointed out in these
words: "paTties charged with the
smallest misdemeanors are often
taken 200 miles to court for trial, E,
and in civil controversies involv.
ing the smallest amounts may be
compelled to resort to a court 20O
or 800 miles distant"
1t would, therefore, save ex-
pense to the government as well
as be a convenience to the people
of the territory to have a court al
Vinita. WALTER A. DUNCAN,
Delegate of Cherokee nation.
Fairland Fancies.
Al