The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1895-10-17
TWO GREAT CAUSES.
George Mcdonald Ross Tells Why The
Dawes Commission Cannot Treat
With The Che-okees.

TALLEQUAH, 1. T., Oct. 16.-In the
late civil war two secret organiza-
tions known as the "Pins" and the
knights of the Golden Circle" had
their birth in the Cherokee country.
The first was. identified with the
North, the latter with the South
The limits of an article of this kind
will not permit me to trace their
history from its commencement, but
the reader will have n clear concep-
tion CT the several changes they un-
derwent and the principles that were
Incorporated into their secret plat
forms, when il is stated that at the
close of the war, designing politi-
clans Joined these societies and were
made "head captains" and "minor
captains With the sole power Of
directing the members in regard to
any public question affecting the
veal or woe of their country. II a
member voted contrary to the COM
mand Of the "head captains" then
woe to that member; a clique was at
once formed to put him out of the
way and he was always killed under
the plea of self-defense, and the
guilty parties acquitted by n jury
composed OF members Of the gang.
Such was the power welded in
years past by the leaders of the
people. Such is the power welded
today in the Cherokee country by
the leaders of the people.
Today these sly politicians are
telling the people to reject all pro-
positions made by the Dawes COM
mission. They are advising them
thus, not because such propositions
would be detrimental TO the mass of
people, but because they know that
when change of government does
take place, they the politicians
will be relegated to the Workhouse
or penitentiary.
For years they have fattened and
enriched themselves OF the Public
Crib" Not a per capita payment
has been made, but what they have
put a large per cent of the funds
into their own pockets, for, however
much the National and Downing
political parties may fight each other
for supremacy, when it comes to
steal, some Of their several leaders
will always be found in loving en-
brace.
Another power that is seeking TO
keep the country under its present
form OF government is the power of
the Land MonopOlist.' These
monopolies are composed of a few
haIf-breeds and some whites who
have been adopted into the tribe by
inter-marriage. The Cherokees hold
the land in common; each citizen
has the right TO as many acres as he
can fence and cultivate. These men
have taken advantage of this right
by fencing thousands of acres of rich
farming and pasture lands embrac-
4 ing a scope of rolling prarie extend
ing a distance of 100 miles from the
Kansas line to the Greek country to
the south, and $50 miles wide, thence
on some hundred miles more through
the rich bottom lands of the Arkan-
sas river. These great possessions,
coupled with the fact that their
owners are not required to pay taxes
and are permitted TO introduce large
herds of Texas cattle, and hold them
in their own name, makes it highly
important that they should use every
energy to defeat any legislation that
would allot the lands, and they do
use their power. For years after
years bills have been introduced into
the Cherokee Council for the purpose
of taxing them, but they always kill
the bills by the power OF money!
These are the two great causes
that will defeat the efforts of the
commission this year, namely: The
power of the leaders and the power
of the monopolists, even though the
greater part OF the people are II
favor of allotment. Justice demands
that Congress should enact some Law
for the government and protection
of her wards, from the robbers, anC
the best orators of the land shoulC
agi.ate this question before the law
makers at Washington city thi
winter.
GEORGE M'DOSALD Ross.