Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-08-26


ment, seems to settle definitely the
question as to whether the Chero-
KEGS are to consent to the over
lures Of the Dawes commission.
Upon the bare proposition of a
change of government, the Chero-
KEGS a year ago were without doubt
Overwhelmingly in favor of it, and
would doubtless have consented to
allotment and a REIMBURSEMENT Of
tribal relations, had the Delaware
claim and the railroad land grant
not been allowed to creep in. The
work OF the Dawes commission
last year was above suspicion, and
its members had the full confidence
of the Indians, but it has fallen in
to disiavor with the Indians, and
it is very probable that its days of
usefulness are ended. and it may
as well be called off and a new com.
mission created that doesn't know
so many things aside from the
main question of duty laid down
by the law. The opportunities for
speculation in this Indian country
are so abundant, and the chances
for getting on the inside of some
gigantic scheme, so plentiful that
it is hard to get material that will
stand the temptation.
The Dawes commission have
done nothing this year, save lose a
good portion of the esteem of the
Indians. Its members have made
a great show of activity in negoli-
ating, and of making a roll OF citi-
zens of the tribes, but the facts are
they have spent the season largely
at their homes, or at some water.
ing place far from the scene of their
labors, and unmindful of anything
save that their salaries go on.
The situation in the Cherokee
nation is more complicated and
difficult now than ever before, and
it is practically \ settled that no
more attention will be paid to the
Dawes commission, for it has lost
the confidence Of the Indians en-
tirely. Just what will be the out
come it is difficult to conjecture,
other than what is done must be
done by legislation, and without
the consent Of the Indians. Should
the government 60 beyond the
treaties, and in violation of its sa-
cred promises to the tribes, the
matter will be promptly carried
into the courts and there ultimate.
ly settled. The Indians will not
: be coerced without protest, and
they are in a position to be heard
They have rights, and they under
T stand them perfectly and will
| maintain them to the bitter end
The birthright of more than thirty
J thousand members of the Cherokee
, tribe are too sacred TO be trifled
with, and the man, or the commits.
sion sent out by the government,
that undertakes such a task will
come to grief. The Dawes COM
mission is not proceeding like
men who only desired to perform
faithfully the duty assigned them
There is a lamentable lack Of that
frankness and courage that should
characterize the action Of men oc,
cupying their position. The Dawes
commission is directly responsible
for much Of the tangled condition
of Cherokee affairs, and much o
the present complications is trace
able to their mysterious manipula
I tion. For several years the com
t mission have iunketed in tn,
interim between the sessions o
D congress in this territory and whel
congress convenes the members o
the commission move bag and bag
e gage to Washington. They hol,
a up their immaculate hands and sa,
, to congress, "0h, we've got al
+ awful job down there with thos
Indians; it will take another yea
= at least to accomplish it; send u
0 back; we are just getting our hand
e in; we are just beginning to under
stand those fellows"
A large share OF the troubles an
i embarrassments of the tribes il
s this territory are directly traceabl
o to the commission. 1t is respon
s sible for the bulk of the woe, an
o the unrest and the hopeless miser
Of the Indians at the present day
1t is responsible for the digging u
+ Of old, obsolete, and unjust, an
n unreasonable claims against th
Q Indians that never existed in fact
o No wonder the fullblood CherO
s KEGS have become alarmed, an
j have risen up from their cabi
: homes in the hills and hurried t
d the rescue of their country. ]