Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-09-09

such unfortunates; and, as no fund
is allowed me for that purpose, l
could afford no relief either to the
parties afflicted or to their friends.
The number of insane in the Ter
ritory who ought to be confined
exclusive of Indians-will approx
innate 200, upon the assumption
that there are about 100000 nom
citizen residents in the territory.
] would also recommend that
congress intervene in behalf of
non citizen children, and that an
arrangement be made whereby they
will be permitted, under appro-
pirate regulations, to attend In
dian schools, paying their pro rata
share into the tribe among whom
they may reside, or else that the
tribes be induced to make such
concessions of land as may be re-
quired, and that the use thereof
may be dedicated to such schools
as the white citizens may be able
to found and support, and that the
schools may in no way be tax or
burden upon the Indian citizen.
As ignorance and vice 60 hand in
hand. it seems useless to discant
upon the necessity of educating
the boys and girls of this territory.
During the crop season the boys
may be engaged, and are more or
less under parental supervision.
At other times-it being fact that
"idleness is the DEVILS workshop"
many of them become card-play-
ers, Sabbath breakers, horse-racers
who labor under the haliucination
that a grass-fed pony can distance
Kentucky thoroughbred, ciga-
rette fends and woman-mashers,
broadening in the lines of deprav-
ity, they become full-fedged out
laws, footpads, train-robbers, and
at last follow such men as Bill
Cook and the Daltons either to the
penitentiary, the gallows or an un-
timely grave. That such domes-
tic horror should grow up in the
very center of our great republic,
is beyond belief, and yet it exists
and will exist until the humane
hand of Congress or ''higher law"
shall extirpate it root, stem and
branch, and apply heroic treat
ment to the subject-matter.
Under article : of the treaty OF
1885, made between the Cherokees
and the United States, it is stipu-
lated that the Cherokees are en-
titled TO a delegate TO the house of
representatives when congress
may provide for the same. This
article of said treaty has remained
dead letter for over go years,
and yet it has not been repealed.
There is a better reason now for
its enforcement than at any time
since it was agreed upon by the
'high contracting parties, D." and /
recommend that congress take ap-
propriate action to give it vitality.
1t would be a precedent for the
other tribes; and, as the delegate
elected would be in a position to
represent the wants and protect
the interests OF his people, it would
save, annually, large sums of mon-
ey expended by the several tribes
in maintaining Indian delegations
at Washington when congress is in
session, and put a quietus on we'll
known lobbyists who have grown
fat in pushing Indian claims, by
questionable methods, through
that body. Opportune action by
congress in the enforcement of
this provision of the treaty refer
red to, will convince the Indians
that congress intends to stand by
treaties rather than violate them,
and it will be an additional evil
dence that the national legislature
desires that the Indian tribes
shall have a voice in shaping leg
islation under which they must
live in the future, and it will fur
nish a dignified escape from In
dian sharks and manipulators
who spend their days in riotous
living in Washington and promote
their own selfish ends rather than
the people whom they pretend to
represent.
SALARY OF AGENT.
In view of my probable retire
ment from my present position as
Indian Agent for the five civilized
tribes, l feel that, as a disinterest-
ed party, | may and should re-
spectfully suggest that, in my
opinion, the salary of the agent
should be increased SO that it will |
amount to one commensurate with |
its onerous duties and require
ments. / have charge of almost |
one-third of the Indians in the
United States, and they hold and |
Nf ..rrifnry