Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1895-04-18
rnE noMAINa pLArroRm.
Several New Departures From the
Time Warn Track.

The head captains of the Down
ing party met at Tahlequah on the
evening of April IL, at 2 o'clock,
for the purpose of adopting 4
platform. The convention was
called to order by Walker Coch-
ran, who was elected temporary
chairman. A temporary organi-
zation having been effected, d. M 4.
Faulkner, of Sequoyah. was elected
permanent chairman, with w. w.
Hastings as secretary. The fol-
lowing delegates reported:
Tahlequah District =. Walker
Cochran, Robin Pam, Henry
Covef.
Goingsnake district-Ben Mock
er, B. w. Alberty, w. II. Thomp-
son.
Delaware district-J. r. Hast
ings, w. P. Mayes, w. w. Hast
ings.
Cooweescoowee district. L..
Baugh, e. B. Wright, Josiah
Henry.
Salina district-Drift Humming-
bird, r. ii. Fields, Louis Daniels.
Canadian district-Isaac Groves,
r. 7. Hanks, Junie smith.
Illinois district-R. M. Walker,
James Mayfield, Harry Sisson, W.
w. Gulager.
Sequoyah district-D. NJ. Faux
DER, S. w. Mayfield, Geo. Blair.
Flint district-E. w. Buffin g.
ton, E. E. Starr, r. F. Wyly.
After the delegates had reported
a committee was appointed to in
form the general managers of the
party that the convention was
ready for business. After being
notified by the latter that a mes
sage would be ready on Friday
morning at s O'Clock the meet
ing adjourned until that hour. The
platform which was finally adopt
ed follows, and the convention ad-
journed sine die at IL O'Clock Fri
day night.
1. The Downing party cheer
fully submits to majority rule
in all elections of the people and
an honest count of the votes.
2. The great object of the party
will ever be to maintain our pres
ent form of government as Cher
okee government, believing it to
be the best for the protection of
our race.
3. The Downing party will at
all times consider the treaties and
agreements existing between the
Cherokee nation and the govern
ment of the United States, as the
supreme law of the land and will
observe them as such and will use
it's utmost endeavor to see that
they are carried out, and will
cheerfully continue the friendly
relationship with our red brothers
of the Indian Territory.
4. We favor progress and the
proper use OF the resources of the
country to the best advantage of
all the citizens OF the Cherokee
nation, to the end that industry
and enterprise may be encouraged,
as the cultivation Of the soil, home
industry and honest toll constitute
the life and prosperity Of coun-
try like that Of the Cherokee ma.
tion. 1t shall be the pride and ef-
fort of the party to foster and en-
courage farming, stock raising,
trade and the development of the
natural resources OF the country,
to the end that labor shall be fully
rewarded and not only be profit
able but honorable. But in the en-
couragement of individual enter
prise the Downing party will
never lose sight OF the paramount
right OF the whole Cherokee peo-
pie in all of the common property
3. Eduaction must ever be the
greatest aim of the Cherokee peo-
pie; the party, therefore, favors
the increase Of school facilities to
an extent that a good education
may be placed free within the
reach OF every child that is a citi-
zen of the Cherokee nation. Un-
der no circumstances will the par
ty becomes Indifferent or neglectful
Of this important subject, as every
other interest should subserve
that which enlightens and edu-
Gates the Cherokee people. The
party will favor a non-partisan
con- potent board of education
and their power restricted, so far
as public schools are concerned,
to the examinations of applicants,
leaving the selection of the teach.
ers to the trustees OF the various
schools, elected annually by the
patrons from those passing sat
isfactory examinations as evidenc-
ed by certificate from the board
OF education.
6. The party favors an econom.
ical administration of public
affairs to the end that public
funds may not be squandered, but
used as necessity may demand fol
the best interest Of the people and
the government. In many instances
nation must be liberal, but never
wastful. Under no circumstances
will it favor the issuance Of "pre.
ferred" warrants. In order tC
better protect the public funds, il
will favor legislation requiring all
claims, legal or equitable, intend
ed to be submitted TO the national
council, except audited certificates
to be first submitted to the supreme
court or some other tribunal sitting