The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1898-11-04
CHIEFS TAKE IN WASHING.
The Lordly Samoan Laundrymen ob-
ject to Being Held to strict
Accountability.

A. Samoan cnle1 mas raYenous nun-
per for testimonials. Promptly OH
making acquaintance with the heredi-
tary ruler of any one of the island
communities one meets the request or
the demand for tusl, writing. No
matter how slight or how formal the
association, the white man is expected
to write a paper setting forth the con-
spicuous virtues of the potentate,
dwelling with especial emphasis on his
capacity for letting horses, getting up
Samoan picnics or dances, and par
ticulArly his reliability and prompt
ness in the very necessary matter OF
washing clothes. To each new arrival
on the beach at Apia are presented by
a batch of chiefs their respective
sheafs of testimonial tusis, concerning
the reliability of which there can be
NO doubt.
Folau, who was the Samoan chief
Justice of the native supreme court un-
til he settled personal dispute by a
revision to a method of practice ante
dating the institution of law courts,
in which he dubbed an important
member of parliament, has a pocket
book filed with his testimonials, col
lection Of the autographs OF officials
and globe-trotting visitors, as well as
a proof of their willingness to obiige
friend and depart somewhat widely
from strict truth. Seumanutafa, the
chief of Apia and man highly hon
ored by the American government 10.
bravery at the time OF the hurricane,
uses the letters with which he was
honored by admirals and high officials
at that time.
Once IN awhile some tourist intrusts
himself for month to the baroness OF
the Apia hotels; to him comes the oc-
casion of having to read all the tesh-
monials before making the momentous
decision OF giving out his wash" The
largest harvest comes for the chiefs
when q war vessel makes it's first visit
| to the harbor. Then Folau and half
| dozen other men of rank set briskly
forth 70 pay their respects. Always
among the first Is the great whale
boat, which the United States gave to
Seumanutafa, and, as his testimonials
plisten with seals and waste of wax, he
claims the fret consideration. On
equal terms he pays his cali upon the
commanding officer, and lays before
him the precious documents, which
show what a great man the chief OF
Apia is among the great ones OF the
earth. Seumanutafa will talk by the
hour with the newcomer on the high
political themes which the stranger
vainly thinks are of interest to the
local statesman. But at the end a
broad hint, in fact a blunt demand,
suggests that "Fa'atulia he do your
wash cheap, he got plenty girl
Faatulia being, despite the masculine
pronoun, the chiefs wife. At the same
time there is always pretty girl in
canoe somewhere in plain sight of the
quarterback. A hail from the CHIEF
brings her aboard for exhibition; she
probably improves the opportunity te
beg a shilling on her own account, ane
she gets the contract to wash for the
commander and never fails to ask hin
to order the wardroom to patronizt
her as well. Few commanding officer
are quite at their ease in the role O.
soliciting agent for colored washer
woman. But in some way the transac
ton is concluded and the chief fold
away his testimonials in readiness fol
: the next opportunity for their display
At first it seems little awkward t.
spend one day in discussing with ;
chief the affairs of state and persuad
him not to declare war and then t.
summon him next day to explain dis
crepancy in the list OF pieces returne'
from the wash. In either case, if b
finds that he is being held to stric
accountability, he suddenly loses al
his English and promises to talk abou
it later when he has an interpreter
The Samoans look upon 1t as mar
of an inferior station II white ma
shows disposition to hold them t
, strict accountability either in state
, craft or laundry work. In politics
; thing said is far better than thin
done. In laundry accounts, if there
a shortage in the pieces returned, or
the articles are of varied ownershi
J scattered all along the beach, thos
little things are supposed to be wipe
: out by the enormous bunch of flower
which the girl brings with the clothes
IN. Y. Sun.
Beggs' Gem an Salve
is used in every house, writes one ma