Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1895-09-05
IOPOLY.
a ID. ssSls. .sSj.s,


an alarming extent in the Chero-
kee nation, but unless some remedy
is offered and acted upon by the
council the homeless citizen will
be no better off. And it is equally
true that any remedy that wrongs
the highest or humblest citizen is
not the one we are seeking. The
main reason for the discussion
that is becoming so generaLamong
the citizens of the Cherokee nation
relative to the present unequal di-
vision ofland, is;to bring about a diff
terent condition of affairs. The
legislative department stands as
though it was paralyzed and help
less in the presence of this giant
evil that has slowly sapped the
foundations of a once well nigh
perfect system of government.
The chief trouble with our sys-
tenn is that We have outgrown it.
1t was fashioned for a much more
primitive people than the Chero-
KEGS of the present time are. 1t is
like an adult trying to wear the
clothes of a child. 1t has natur-
ally enough been outgrown and if
we are sensible We will alter it to
fit our changed and advanced con-
dition. In discussing a remedy
for the evil of monopoly and an
unequal distribution of land we
must always get down to the origi-
nal proposition that the lands are
common property, and that no
citizenhas or can acquireany addi-
tional rights over other citizens, no
matter what their holdings at pres
ent may be. In the Cherokee ma
ton SO far as the ownership of land
is concerned there must be no diff
ference; all are jointly interested
in an undivided estate and none
must have any advantage over
others 1t should be bourne in mind
that the Cherokee nation has not
parted with the title to any of the
common domain. This PROPOSE
ton of course covers townsites,
school sites, cemeteries and all
land included within the boun-
daries of the nation. Under our
system and according to our con-
stitution the title to no part of the
domain has ever passed from the
nation. The extensive purchase
of town lots in some instances is
the result of a belief that the lot
becomes individual property when
purchased from the nation, but q
glance at the constitution will pre-
clude the idea that the title to
even town lot is in the individual
and has passed from the nation.
Also the deed itself is proof that
all the right acquired is the right
to occupy so long as the land re-
mains common property and the
constitution plainly expresses that
it shall remain this way until such
time as the nation shall provide
for the survey and allotment of the
same. Our forefathers plainly
foresaw the very conditions that
we are now struggling with and
provided the remedy. In the
treaty of July 10, 1866, ample ar
rangemeat was made with the gov
ernment TO meet the emergencies
and accordingly our constitution
was amended so as to read thus:
"The lands of the Cherokee nation
shall remain common property
until the national council shall
request the survey and allotment
of the same" Thirty years ago,
at the time the constitution was
amended it was apparent that the
time would come when a division
would have to be made in order 10
protect the interest of the people
at large and hence this provision
was made. 1t is not pleasant to
contemplate these facts in as much
as it may mean the dissolution of
our time honored tribal govern
ment, but they are facts never the
less, and we must stand up like
men and meet the issue bravely
and honorably. There is one thing
certain, we must curb monopoly.
If we can not do more, We must
not do less. And when we pull
out the teeth and fangs of monop-
oily we will have allotment pure
and simple. If the voice of blind
prejudice could be hushed long
enough to listen for a moment to
that Of reason, the way might be
more clear. But so long as de-
nunciation is hurled at the heads
of those who honestly attempt to
discuss these vital questions. so
long will we be in darkness as to