Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-06-03
PROMPT ACTION URGED.
Suggestions Regarding Negotiations
Which are Well Worth Perusal.

Grove, 1. T., May 3oth, 1897
EDITOR CHIEFTAIN:-After a
careful perusal of the columns Of
your valuable paper, and seeing
and studying the claims Of the
various interest of the affected
parties, the masses Of the common
people are willing to trust their
destiny to the honor Of the men
duly authorized and empowered
by the national council of the
Cherokee nation to negotiate with
the Dawes commission. We hope
their labors will result in a good,
sound treaty with the United
States commission for the benefit
of the masses, and not for the ben
eft Of the town lot men, Delawares
and land sharks generally. The
Delaware claim is as preposterous
as the demands of the town lot
men-the very idea of them ask
ing the commissions to make pro-
visions in the treaty for them to
pay seven dollars and fifty cents
for each lot. Would they be will
ling to sell even half of their lots
to people that haven't any at that
price2 Remember the golden rule,
ye town lot sharks. "Do unto 9TH
ers as you wish them to do unto
you" see in last weeks CHIEF
TAIN where someone interviewed
a member of the Dawes commits
sion who advanced the idea that
the town lot men would not re-
ceive any special iavors, but
would probably have their pur-
chase money refunded. If they
are going to receive recognition to
that extent, why not refund the
mans money that bought farm
from another citizen or from the
sherifi's sale? The man that buys
an intruder's place gets the same
kind of a title to his place that
the nation gives to a man who
buys a town lot. l don't think
town lots should be exempt from
allotment, but should be appraised
the same as other lands and di-
vided on a cash basis. If a man
wishes to take his prorata share OF
the common property Of the Cher.
okee nation in town lots he ought
to be allowed to do so by paying
what they are worth, exclusive oi
the improvements, which is the
only equitable way Of dividing the
vast estate of the Cherokees.
As to the Delawares, think
that all of the old registered Dele
wares who are now living are en-
titled to the 100 acres of land, bu'
their children are entitled 10 the
same rights and privileges as othel
Cherokees. But If the registered
Delawares are all going to contend
for the whole amount OF land paiC
for-157 800 acres-I think thei
children should inherit from then
and not have an interest in th'
other lands ofthe Cherokee nation
III we are going to abide by thu
treaties, the living registered Del
awares should get their 100 acre
and the children born after thu
ratification Of the treaty should
fare with the rest Of the Cherokees
if they don't get but eighty acre
10 the head.
am individually and naturally
| ODDOeed To a change. esDeciallV al
abrupt one. Why not try to edu
cate our people up TO the ways o
the white man2 Say for instance
our commission make a treatl
with the Dawes commission some
thing like this: We take our al
lotments soon as the survey i
completed and retain our triba
form OF government with the sx
cepiion OF changing our system 0
taxation. Instead Of an indirec