The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1898-11-14

legislation enacted and the protec-
tion Of the interests Of the Chero-
Ikee nation against more radical
Ilegislation, 1 suggest the advis-
ability Of providing for small
delegation Of not more than two.
feel justified in saying that I am
confident that the president of the
United States would not approve
of bill for a large and expensive
delegation. Your Dill providing
for delegation should contain the
appropriation therefor in order
that it might all be submitted to
the president at once for his ap-
proval ar d much time saved.
TRIBAL GOVERNMENT
On August 9Th, last. by special
message, communicated my
views to you with particular refer
ence to the allotment provision of
this act OF congress and as urgently
as | could insisted that the Chero-
kee people should decide this
grave question by popular vote.
None OF the other four nations re-
fused this reasonable request. The
Seminole nation made and ratified
an agreement with the United
States commission which congress
ratified and by the terms of the
agreement almost exclusive gov
ernmental control is retained by
the Seminole nation, in fact, with
the exception of Jurisdiction being
transferred in number of higher
offenses to the United States court,
some supervising control over the
revenues, and the NATURALIZATION
Of the land, little change is made.
The agreement with the Choctaws
and Chickasaws, ratified by, con-
gress in this bill, was submitted to
the Choctaw and Chickasaw peo-
Pile for vote and ratified by a
large majority. This agreement
provides for NATURALIZATION of
land, with certain restrictions, and
transfers part OF the jurisdiction of
the tribal courts to the United
States courts, but the tribal author
tiles are permitted to make ap.
preparations for regular and neces-
sary expenses oftheir governmsnt.
The agreement made with the
Muskogee commission, so far as
what is retained Of the Muskogee
government is concerned, is SINH
lar to the Choctaw and Chickasaw
agreement. The Creeks voted on
their agreement November 1st,
1898, and it was ratified by a ma.
jority vote. The Creek chief and,
| am informed, a majority Of the
Greek council were opposed to this
agreement, but were willing to
submit the question to their peo-
pie for vote. / am still forced
TO conclude that the interests of
our people could be better pro-
tected by an agreement than by an
act Of congress. We are powerless
to protect our property rights. We
are permitted to be sued and are
not permitted to use our own funds
in our defense. Mineral leases
without our consent are granted in
large numbers covering the public
domain and perhaps the homes of
our people. Townsites are set
apart and lots authorized to be
sold to non- citizens as well as citi-
zens, in open violation of our con-
stitutional and treaty rights Regu-
lations are promulgated to the Ell
feet that each citizen after March |
28th, 1899, next, who retains en-
closed more than 80 acres Of land |
is criminal and liable to prosecu- |
ton, although his pro rata share
may be greater, and by his own
toll and energy he has made the
improvements himself. Our regu- |
lar annuities in the hands of the |
United States due since last July |
still remain unpaid and our schools
and public institutions remain en-
barrassed. Our revenue laws re-
pealed and no substitute offered.
You can't hold an election unless
BY permission Of the president.
Dur treaties--those sacred obi
cations written with the very
hearts blood of our ancestors, are
40 longer allowed to be referred
20 in arguments before committees