Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1895-12-12

contract to the lowest responsible
bidder. THE CHIEFTAIN could save
the nation something like fifty per
cent, taking the appropriation ask
ed for as basis A few years ago
when Judge Wyly was editor OF
the Advocate il not only was made
to pay expenses but "a nice sur
plus twas turned into the treasury
and on much smaller appropria-
ton than has been made of late
years. The only possible pretext
for running the paper at public
expense is that the full -bloods
who read only Cherokee look
chiefly to it for information, and as
they receive it free of course want
it continued. Chief Mayes' veto
was sustained by the national
council alter mature deliberation
and will meet the approval of the
masses. The chief is making an
honest effort at retrenchment and
will succeed in spite of the howls
of the disgruntled crowd that want
to increase their bank accounts at
public expense.
***
The monopoly bill like the white
adopted citizens bill, sleeps quiet
ly and peacefully on the senate
table, where both will slumber on
till "Gabrel blows his horn" and
the balance of the dead come forth
on resurrection morn. During the
session. at different times, were let
fall enough on the subject by var
ious members to convince any one
that no legislation on that line
need be expected this council or
any other. 1t was proposed by
some of the bright and shining
lights of the senate chamber to al
low heads of families 200 acres
each and the children none. This
idea of course is the natural off
spring of greed and monopoly it.
self. The constitution of the
Cherokee nation says in plain,
clean cut English, "the lands of the
Cherokee nation shall remain COM
mon property" which if it means
anything means that the children
own Just as much OF this common
domain as any man in the govern
ment. In the Cherokee nation to-
day there are over 5000 children
under fifteen years of age. Under
the brilliant craftsmanship of some
of our law makers this army of lit
tie ones, whom the constitution de-
clares are joint owners in this es-
tate, are not to be allowed to own
anything, but are to be compelled
to stand by and see others get the
use of that which is as much theirs |
as it is any other citizens. The
of our country consist of
orphans, the sons and daughters
of widows, to great extent, and
they should and must be protected.
if such law as indicated
were passed it would be clearly |
unconstitutional, inasmuch as 1t
would discriminate against large |
class of the common owners of the
country.
***
The compromise BILL" as the
bill providing for a settlement of
he colored citizen question is
ermed, passed both houses and
was signed by the chief last week.
The measure provides for three
tomake a roll of COL
,red citizens in lieu of the oval
ace roll" one TO be selected by
he Cherokee nation, one by the
reedmen, and one by Judge l. c.
Parker of the western district of
Arkansas. These commissioners
ire to take the authenticated cer-
Ius rolls of 1880 and from those
make a correct roll. This arrange.
nent of course does away with the
amous "Wallace roll" entirely
md will knock out something like
800 claimants that have no rights
n the nation. As this bill is in
accordance with proposition
made by the attorney for the freed
men, there will be no redress for
hose who are struck off the list.
This bill should be eminently
satisfactory to all parties concern
d, and more especially to those
reemen who are entitled to citi-
enship under treaty stipulations.
When this commission gets 10
7ork there is one thing that NAV I
e put down as sure and that is ]
hat the Cherokee nation will be
epresented at every sitting. The /,
Experience of the Cherokees in the :
Wallace matter has taught them |
lesson they will certainly utilize |
this last timely opportunity. /;
Xxx
In vetoing the intermarriage bill
he chief said that a law of the '
ind would serve only as a means I