Evening journal., 1898-01-28
INDIAN NATION HOWLS.
Threatens to Bring Suit
Against the United States.
THEIR INTEREST MONEY DENIED

JOHN ROSS, A CHEROKEE INDIAN
MISSIONARY, SAYS THAT HIS
PEOPLE ARE BEING IMPOSED |
UPON BY THE AMERICAN Gov
ERNMENT.
The United States government may
be n defendant in a threatened law suit
with the Cherokee Indian nation as
the complainant. The Indian nation
is situated south OF Kansas, and west
of Arkansas and north Of Texas. IL is
made up Of FIVE tribes comprising the
Cherokee Choctaws, Creeks, Semi
noles and Chickasaws, in all about
30 600 souls. IL Is a separate govern
ment from that of the United States,
but the Indians claim that the United
States government is imposing on
them. John Ross, whose father, Chief
Jchn Ross, OF the Cherokee nation,
married Mary Stapler, a white woman
of Delaware, called at the Evening
Journal Office yesterday and In an in
terview said
"The nation has a large and invested
fund at Washington, held by the gov
ernmont, and they generally send out
the interest of that for the carrying on
OF the governmental expenses. IL Is dl-
vided up for three separate purposes,
namely, carrying on the schools
orphan fund. and for the Cherokee gov
ernment expenses.
"A few days ago the Treasurer Of
the United States telegraphed to the
sub treasury in ST. Louis. ordering him
not to pay any more monies over to
the Indians whatever This money
rightfully belongs to the Indians. This
means a great loss to the Cherokee
government II the government does
not resume payment we will have 10
close all of our institutions OF learn
ing. and our Jail and insane asylum
will be compelled TO close. For the past
three or four years the government OF
the United States had Dawes commits
sion then trying TO treat TO bring the
Indians 10 some agreement, but failed
They think by stopping our monies
they will force us to terms. which Is {
, great injustice and a crime on the par
! of the United States Government.
i Last year Congress passed a Law
taking all Of the courts cut of th'
i hands of the Indians. and placing then
q In the hands Of the United State
= Courts. When the Cherokee COun
q ell passes a a bill It cannot becOm
a a law until the President Of the Unite
= States signs It, The first day Of Jan
- uary, the United States took charge Q
{, the courts, but the chief Of the Cherc
kee nation has ordered his judges {
hold courts and the sherffs of th
= nation to carry out the laws as theI
: are no United States laws within tn
:, laws Of the nation. Now, when Oh
p Cherokee authorities arrest q man n
/, United States authorities claims iuri'
II diction which ends in conflicts an
~ confusion. The Cherokee natfun hol'
~ patent given to II for the land
"a hold good as long as water runs an
,e grass grows.
= Il hope i'm a few days to furnish
-o the Evening journal a copy of Tn
!. patent, showing plainly that the Cher
- kee Indians are the rightful owners
=, this land and the great governmel
"a of the United States which enjoys u
- undeniable distinction Of having u
a best government in the world, is pc
~ petrating great injustice on the pO'
IA | Indian"
,e Mr.. Ross said that a delegation OF Il
Ie five tribes is now in Washingto
in seeking TO amicably adjust the troub
A. He says that should the United Stat
" government insist on carrying out q
10 now existing imposition, the Cherok
40 nation will institute prOceedin
- against the American government
y, The Supreme Court. Mr. Ross is in w
-, mington securing funds for the Cher
~ | kee missionary work