Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-11-11
CHIEF MAYES' MESSAGE.
A RATHER GLOOMY VIEW TAKEN
BY THE EXECUTIVE.
Termination of Tribal Jurisdiction Dis
cussed-Agreement Of Some Kind
With the Dawes Commission Favored
Little General Legislation Rec
ommended.
To THE NATIONAL COUNCIL:

udNO again aoCOAhOiOa AOSaAoA
session, and it becomes my con-
duty to submit to you
such suggestions with reference to
our government and such recon-
as, in my judgment,
will best subserve the welfare of
our people. Since last you met in
regular session, death has invaded
the ranks of our public servants
and esteemed citizens. From
your midst we miss Hon. Samuel
Smith, ex-president of the senate,
a man cf lofty ambition and un-
doubted integrity; ex-Councillors
John R. Gourd, of Cooweescoowee
district. William Bait, of Saline
district, and Charles Bark, of
Illinois district. Among others OF
our reputable patriotic officers and
citizens who have been called to
peaceful rest, we note ex-Senators
S. E. Gray and Charles Starr,
Jesse Sunday and Dave Ridge.
All of these were faithful public
servants and many of them filled
offices of honor and trust in vari-
GUS capacities for a number of
years.
We should all feel gratifed and
render thanks to the ruler of the
universe for the bountiful crops
which have blessed the country
and the peace and happiness which
have prevailed among our people.
You have been recently elected
fresh from our people and should
better understand their needs and
wants than l do, and it is
your privilege to enact into law
such Legislation as in your judg-
ment will best subserve their
interests. Hence l kindly invite
your friendly cooperation and ad-
vice as to the needs of the various
sections of our country.
EDUCATION.
Our educational institutions have
always, since the foundation OF
our government, been a source of
great pride to our people and an
nually they have appropriated
liberal sums of money for the
maintenance of our public aud
high schools. Last year took
occasion to carefully Investigate
the amount of money that came
into the treasury for the benefit of
the school fund, showing the
sources from which it was derived
and manner expended, and amount
on hand, and made some recon-
mendations which l thought were
necessary for its protection. The
report of the treasurer herewith
submitted, shows that there was
on hand last year, belonging to
the school fund, the sum of s6,-
253. %; that there was on hand
September Both, 1897, the time OF
making his report, the sum OF
sos. .76; that for school purposes
there was received from all sources
the total amount of 500 ,2S3. SO,
less Sc, 253 25 which was on hand.
During the last regular session of
the national council twenty-four
new primary schools were author
lied established and the number
of school months diminished from
nine to seven. This will not
materially change the expenses Of
running the schools. recon-
mend, therefore, that you care
fully consider the report of the
treasurer of the Cherokee nation,
together with the detailed report
of the board of education, and
make your appropriations for the
educational interests Of the
country so that they will not ex.
ceed the annuities and income for
scholastic purposes, so that the
warrants drawn against that fund
will not be deprecated. Special
attention in the report of the
board of education is called to tha'
part in reference to the coloreo
high school, which shows that il
is in a much better condition than
heretofore. The prosperity of the
school is not only due to the
superior management but also
partially to the fact that number
Of students are permitted to attend
that institution free. My attention
has been called to the fact tha
there is no institution for the
homeless orphan colored children
of our country and I recommend
that the primary students OF thi:
institution be taken from that clas:
of the colored children.
ORPHAN ASYLUM.
The report of the treasures
shows that there was received OF
account of the orphan fund the
sum Of s19, ,043.93 from the secre
tary of the interior, added to this
was balance on hand of 81 ,909. 25
making the total received into tn,
orphan fund s26, 1918. There
was disbursed s24, 467 AZ during
the past year. the amount of So,
423 "a In excess of the annuity
The report of the board of educa
tion called attention to the isolated
position of this institution and to
the fact that the requisite clost
superintendence cannot be giver
it as this charitable institution de
serves. | think that the institu
ton could be more economically
managed if a special board wer'
created and competent men ap
pointed who live in the immediat
neighborhood, who would then b'
able to give the institution thei
immediate superintendence.
also take occasion to renew m.
recommendation of last year tha
the board of education be no
authorized to draw acquisitions II
excess of the annuity. This is
standing appropriation made ol
, November 30, 1871, and it is lef
at the discretion of the board c