Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-04-26
THE CHIEFS MESSAGE,
Delivered on the Assembling of
Council.

O0llV0T6Q on buo AbbcL1DllhB VI
Council.
GENTLEMEN: Having by procla-
nation convened your honorable
bodies in special session to legis-
late only on such subjects as shall
be submitted to you, it now be-
comes my duty to recommend for
your consideration and action the
measures that render "extraordi-
nary" the occasion" for conven-
ing you at this time.
After many months of delay and
hindrance encountered by our
delegates in their endeavors to
carry out their instructions with
reference to a transfer of a certain
amount of the government indebt-
edness to the Cherokee nation, to
Wilson & Co., of New York, |
have at last been officially informed
that the stipulated sum Of Sc, 40
10000 has been placed on deposit
in the United States sub-treasury
in said city, subject to the order of
the Cherokee nation.
In pursuance Of this information
and the necessary action to be
taken by your honorable bodies in
providing for a per capita distri.
button of the money mentioned, /
first respectfully recommend that
the work begun in the examina-
ton and verification of the census
authorized by the act of the ma
tional council, approved April 10,
1898, be prosecuted to a final de-
termination.
And would further suggest that
the principal chief and the treas
urer be authorized to have suitable
books prepared for their respect.
i've departments, as many as may
be necessary for the alphabetical
enrolment Of all persons accepted
by legislative enactment or con.
sent TO be citizens of this nation
aud as many as may be needed by
the treasurer in making the dis
tribution.
1t is necessary likewise that you
determine the manner in which
the distribution shall be made
whether by check or cash in hand
or by both, at the option of the
person to be paid. A great mum
ber in ali probability will prefer
checks, as this manner seems to bC
considered safer than cash, ~ such
large sums. This Uetnod viii
likewise relieve the treasurer o
the responsibility of having fre
auent shipments of money from
St. Louis, as it will be the meant
of replacing in his hands the funds
received by merchants in trade
and from their debtors.
For your information, and al
suggestive of some necessary leg
islation on the subject, | herewith
inclose the letter Of Secretary Car
Isle to Delegates Duncan anC
Thompson in answer to their in
quiry relative to the transfer o
the Sc, 740, 10000 on deposit witt
the United States assistant treas,
urer in the city of New York, Il
the like credit with the United
States assistant treasury in st
Louis.
Secretary Carlisle says in reply
Upon receipt of definite informa
tion as to when the transfer is de
sired to be made, and how rapidly
the amount could be drawn upor
after the Il iansler TO St. Louis, the
department could better answer
your questian.
Recognizing the importance o
this request, coming from the
source it does, and that upon the
information to be furnished de
pends the transfer of the funds tC
St. Louis, to be in readiness anC
subject to the order of the Chero
kee nation when needed, yon vii
perceive the necessity for immedi
ate action in the premises. Thii
becomes more evident when th'
probability is entertained that sat
islactory arrangements may not b'
arrived at, by reason Of some ob
jections the secretary may have, II
what you may agree upon with ref
erence to this matter.
In this connection may be founC
a suggestion as 10 what additiona
bond the treasurer may be required
to give, by reason Of the specified
amount Of money you may author
lze to be placed in his hands at on
time for distribution which
would respectfully recommend, b.
not more than enc million.
In prescribing the amount 70
which the treasurer shall Civ
bond, it will become necessary l.
; specify, TO that already receiyabl
+ as security, what may be taken a
! such. Property other than pei
sonal under present circumstances
certainly demands your attentio
! as 10 any method you may adoI
TO enable the treasurer 10 give th
| required bond. To secure the ns
ton against all possible loss i
handling and distributing th
nancy hv fakfn0 fha fmnfous