Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-06-14
The Chickasaws Speak.

The following resolutions were
adopted at Purcell upon the occa.
sion Of the visit of Capt. McKen-
non to that place:
WHEREAs,-It is the policy of
the United States to enact such
legislation as shall establish terri
torial government over the five
civilized tribes of Indians, and
provide for an equal division OF
lands between the members of said
tribes, aud
WHEREAS, we believe that the
various influences which have been
brought to bear upon the congress
OF the United States, directed to-
ward. the dissolution of tribal auton-
omy and the abolition of COM
munity tenure of lands and funds
have now developed a crisis in our
affairs in which we see that pru-
dence and the exercise of our best
judgment requires us to prepare
and provide for the inevitable
changes, therefore be it
RESOLVED, 1st-That while the
common sentiment Of the Indian
people is positively opposed to
the radical changes proposed by
the United States; that these de-
mands are uncalled for, unneces-
sary and unjust to the Indians;
that we have a right to the full,
free and uninterrupted enjoyment
of our present form OF government
and land tenure and protection in
the same as guaranteed by treaty
s,ipulations with the United
States, we realize that we are plac-
ing our best interests in jeopardy
by attempting to prolong the pres
ent form of government in direct
opposition to the avowed purpose
OF the United States.
2. That we earnestly advocate
the acceptance of the last PROPOSE.
ton of the Dawes commission as
the best policy we can pursue; that
we understand the proposition
provides for an equal division OF
lands and the equitable adjust
ment Of leases and investments in
mining lands and townsites; that
the lands shall be divided among
the Indians at the expense Of the
United States; that ali trust funds
shall he distributed between the
members OF the tribes by a United
States officer; that all claims of
the Choctaw and Chickasaw
nations against the United States
shall be adjusted and settled in
full and Indians be located upon
their lands, and our present gov.
eminent continue until all these
promises are fulfilled.
3. We desire to state TO the
United States commission ouI
appreciation of the conscientious
efforts made by them in our be-
half to secure for us full protec.
tion in our property rights, and
that the great obstruction TO the
success Of their mission here il
made by Doodle politicians and
coal mine monopolies; that their
pretended belief in the perpetua.
ton of Indian autonomy, even fol
limited number Of years, il
not made in good faith, but il
promulgated for the purpose ol
obslructing the settlement Of these
pending questions, with a view to
securing for themselves persona
gains, usually by corrupt methods
and fraudulent schemes in oui
legislatures, robbing our people Of
enormous sums Of money, as took
place in the distribution Of III,
met proceeds" fund and also il
the distribution Of the leased dis
trict money; and as Witnessed ais,
in the enormous wrong Of granting
to the Chickasaw and Choctay
National railway an extensive
land grant by bribing a suiiicien
number Of council members q
pass the bill; also in granting
charters 10 enormous areas Of min