Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1896-03-26
In a Muddle.
!. H. MAYEs,
Principal Chief.
Tahleqush Sentinel.


Since Chief Mayes submitted his
message to council, relative to the
equalization of freedmen with
Cherokees in per capita distribu-
tiOns, it seems that many mem
bers of the council, as well as the
people on the outside, are foun-
dering about in cimmerian dark
ness as TO its meaning or what is
to be done or should be done. Not
understanding fully the compro-
mise in all its particulars, or its
results as may be revealed at some
future day. it is like plunging out
into intense darkness and into the
midst Of unseen dangers made
more terrible because more i'm
agined than known. Under the
circumstances nothing else need
be expected, not only as conse-
quence, but as measure of self
defense against uncertainties and
the possibility of being misled.
This IS certainly right. A matter
involving such a vast interest and
consequences, should be thoroughly
understood by all directly con-
cerned before committing them
selves to some irreparable action.
1t is quite plain, as all seem to un-
derstand, that the freedmen to
some unknown number, are to be
made equal with Cherokees in
three several per capita payments,
amounting to 1926 35 each. This
is all plain enough, but to many
there is an ugly incubus concealed
in some advantage to be taken of
any surplus there may be after
matters are equalized. The gen.
eral belief is that the 81. 800, 900
will not be needed. but if needed,
what is to be gained by the COM
promise?
Some seem to entertain the be-
lief that no better state of affairs
will be secured TO the nation by
setting aside the Wallace Roll or
by making new roll to be man
aged by a commission TO be ap
pointed in the way specified in the
courts decree. There should be
no apprehension as to any intended
unfairness in this matter. The
only cause for any fear is in the
possibility of making mistakes, OF
in some advantage TO be taken BY
false testimony. This is to be
guarded against. In either case,
whether the compromise is effected
or not, a new or revised census of
the freedmen will be taken subject
to the objections just rehear~ed.
The courts decree of 1903 365, is
all the freedmen on the Wallace
roll will be entitled to in case the
compromise is rejected, but, this
will not make them and their de-
scendants less citizens of the nation
having all the rights of native
Cherokee They may not get any
more just now, but is there not
chance and probability of them
suing the nation for any balance
due them a. Wallace freedmen? If
this is so there can be no escape
from what seems TO be dreaded.
Looking at the question on the /
other side, we have an autheBti-
Gated roll of 2052 freedmen, less by /.
1475 on the Wallace roll, to be.in I.
with as the number to he added to /
by their descendants and by others /
wrongly or inadvertently omitted /
from the Cherokee roll of 1880 1t ]
is very evident that comparing Te (
suits either way, there is some
thing TO be saved by accepting
the compromise and making an APP
preparation a. a contingent fund Ia
pay those found to be Cherokee .
freedmen under the 9th article of .
the treaty 1866 by the commission
to be appointed, should the sum
decreed them by the court of
claims prove TO be insufficient. In
such case there eau be no appeal |
for any deficiency, the "a 300, 900 .
should any be found, as could he
done in the event the compromise |
is refused. From this it therefore
appears that our safety lies in the
proposed compromise.
FAIR TOTE.