davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-04-20
THE COMING ELECTION

From this time forward till the
chiefs election next August there
will be plenty of politics in the
Cherokee nation. There is not
much possibility of any definite
action being taken looking to al
lotment and the final settlement of
affairs with the government till
after the political campaign of this
summer, and a new chief and
council are installed. True there
does not seem to be much in the
way of emolument and honor left
in holding Office in the Cherokee
nation any more, but there are
scores of Cherokee citizens anxious
to run for Office, and as eager for
places Of political preferment as
ever.
Just what issue will di-
vide the two old parties, the
Downing and the National, is
difficult to foresee, other than the
direct question of allotment.
Heretofore no party ever had the
boldness to declare unequivocably
for the changing of land tenure,
though individuals have now and
theG ran upon that proposition in
sections where it was well known
that that idea prevailed.
The Downing party will no
doubt declare in its coming plat
form for all there is in sight in the
way ofprogressive change, and in
contra-distinction to the known
tenets of the full-bIood element.
The real Indian is perhaps as
much opposed to all these things
as he ever WAS.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-04-20

article published was libelous in
itself, no proof of actual injury to
the plaintiff is necessary on the
part of the plaintiff to entitle him
to recover damages In that event,
the law presumes that he has suf-
fered some injury by reason of the
publication, and the amount of
the injury is a question for the
jury to determine, limited by the
amount claimed.
Is. The court further instructs
the jury that if you find from the
evidence in this case that the al
legged publication appeared in de-
fendant's newspaper, as alleged in
plaintiffs complaint, and if you
find the said article, under the law
given you by the court, was a libel
Gus publication, then, and in that
event, you will be authorized in
finding that said publication was
falsely and maliciously made with
out any further proof Of falsity or
malice, and in that event you
should find for the plaintiff, and
you should assess such damage in
plaintiffs behalf as the jury may
deem proper, in view of all the
testimony IN the case, to compen-
safe him for the modification and
shame he may have suffered, and
the disgrace and dishoner cast up
on him, and the damage done to
his reputation.
Il. The Jurors are the sole
judges Of the credibility of the
witnesses, and of the weight to be
attached to their testimony. In
passing upon the credibiliIy of
witnesses, and fixing The weight to
be given 20 their testimony, the
jury may consider the age. intel
ligence, or apparent prejudice, if
any, and all other circumstances
in evidence before them, in deter
mining the credibility OF the wit
nesses. You should, also, in con-
nection with all other facts and
circumstances proven, take into
account the conduct and appear
ance of the witnesses upon the
stand, and their interest in the re-
suit Of the trial, the motives actua-
ting the witnesses in testifying,
the probability oftheir statements,
and their inclination to speak
truthtully or otherwise as to mat
ters within their knowledge y
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-04-20
THE JUDGES CHARGE.

The judge begun his instruc-
tions to the jury by reciting the
publication of the ten or twelve
line item in June. 1898, headed
"Rough Riders in JAIL" by the
defendants, in The Indian Chief
tain. The features of the COM
plant are detailed, in which plain
tiff asks 81, 600 Chiefly because of
the lasceration of his finer sensi-
bilities.) The plea of the defense
is next set forth which was that
they published the item, not with
malicious intent but through error,
the occurrence described having
taken place at Tampa, Florida;
that the substance of the item was
published in the Kansas City
World, from which source and by
common report the information
was derived and that another per-
son of same sir name was a par
ticipant. Further, that the publi-
cation did not injure plaintiff;
that the item was corrected in the
succeeding issue, etc. The court,
continuing, says:
Gentlemen of the jury: l have
stated briefly the issues presented
to you in the case nowpending, hav
ing given you the substance OF the
complaint, the alleged libelous ar
ticle published, and the answer of
the defendants. Upon this case
and the issues thus joined the
court instructs you as follows:
l. That a libel is defined by the
statute applicable in this jurisdic-
ton as follows:
"a libel is a malicious defama-
ton, expressed either by writing,
printing, or by signs or pictures or
the like, tending to blacken the
memory of one who is dead, or to
impeach the honesty, integrity,
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-04-20
EXTRA SESSION NOT WISE.

The leading topic among Chero-
kee politicians now is whether it
is expedient to call the national
council together in extra session
and attempt to formulate another
agreement with the Dawes COM
mission. The sentiment about
Vinita is largely against an extra
session, though some favor it.
Ifit be a fact that congress does
not consider the old treaty dead,
but that it only needs amendment,
then in that event the council
could enact it into law with such
notifications as have been sug-
gested by the Indian committee at
Washington and thus secure its
early ratification by congress.
The thing the Cherokees now
want most is final and absolute
division of their land with indi-
vidual title. The present state OF
unrest cannot endure, and is
against every form of advance
ment in the Cherokee nation.
But the question of the neces-
sity of a call of council this sum-
mer is another proposition. There
is so much politics ahoat at the
present time, no move can be
made that will not SAVIOR of parti-
sanism.
1t is hardly possible that an ex-
ira session of the national council
at this time could be conducive of
good results, and perhaps the mo-
tives of the principal chief would
be misunderstood or impugned.
1t will no doubt be better to wait
till the regular session in NoVem-
Der, and after the people have had
a chance to express themselves at
the polls.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-04-20
TOWN COMMISSIONERS.
Appointed by the Mayors,
Says the Secretary,

The following communication
from j. George Wright, U. S. in
spectOr for the Indian Territory,
was presented to the Muskogee
town councH at its late session:
Referring to the petition of the
citizens of the town of Muskogee
for the appointment of tOwnsite
commissioners to lay out and plat
said town, I am in receipt of
communication from the honor
able secretary of the interior, in
which he says. in part:
F'In view, however, of the pecu-
liar circumstances set forth in said
petition, the department considers
it advisable that a commissioner
be appointed as provided in said
section Is of the Curtis bill, and
you will accordingly so advise the
principal chief Of the Creek ma
tion. You will also request the
mayor of Muskogee to select some
one TO represent the town as
member of the commission" =" etc.
l have accordingly advised the
principal chief OF the Creek ma
tion, who has promised to appoint
one member Of the tribe to act for
and on behalf of the Creek nation,
and this to notify you to advise
me OF the name of the persons who
is or has been selected to act on
behalf OF the town of Muskogee,
and l desire this information by
the 18th inst. Respectfully,
J. GEo. WRIGHT,
l : Inspector for Ind Ter.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-04-20

to the hands of another Smith and
there has been a fulfillment, doubt
less, of The Chieftain's predictions
in reporting the bringing of the
suit, which was as follows: at
may not be amiss to say that Mr..
Smith will know a whole lot more
about his standing in this commu-
nifty and about the laws of libel af-
ter this case is disposed of than be
appears to at this writing"
The case has given the town five
days of rare entertainment, and is
probably worth all that it has cost,
as it has fixed the value of cer-
tain kind of character, and tested
the standard of good citizenship
maintained by a few of our Vinita
friends. When a man expects to
cash his character the first requis-
lie should be to build an articl ;
that would have at least some val
ue. Character is the work of a
lifetime and the man who has
reached middle age has either mis-
spent his time, and wasted his OPP
portunities, or he would certainly
have accumulated more than FIVE
dollars worth Of that staple article.
Character is something that every
man must build for himself, and is
like a chain-no stronger than its
weakest link. The way to be hap
py is to be virtuous, and virtue is
its own reward.
As a class, there are no people
in the world so easy to get along
agreeably with as newspaper men,
and no class that condone and COW
er over the frailties OF their friends
and neighbors as they do. The
man who hates, and breads and
fights the newspapers, is, nine
times out of ten, a villain, and
afraid his villainy will be exposed.
All hoodlums the world over hate
the newspapers, as naturally as
the prowling burglar hates the
policeman's lantern and billy.
All corrupt political leaders fear
the newspapers and play the syco-
phant 10 gain their applause, and
shield themselves from ignomini-
Gus exposure. The good citizen
has nothing to fear from the news
paper, for it is his strong ally
against every form ofpublic wrong.
1t is the lawless element that hate
the newspapers. The James and
Youngers in their day swore ven-
gance against the newspaper cor
respondents, and the newspapers
are instrumental in hunting down
more criminals than all the police
men of all the cities of the world.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-04-20

The agreement that was put to
sleep by congress, with the elm
ination of some of its Objectionable
features may be passed by our
council, and should it meet the
APPROVAL of the president would be-
come a law, thus effecting the in
dividualizationof our property with
fee simple titles TO our lands. The
expression of the people at the
polls on this question show what
they want and are going to have.
The real issue in the coming cam
paign will center on the provisions
of the late agreement, which failed
at Washington to become an agree
ment. Then, such being the is
sue, and such an overwhelming
expression by the people in its IA
vor last January, council would be
recreant to duty should it fail to
make provisions to meet the wants
Of this people.-Sentinel.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-04-20
APPRECIATED FRIENDSHIP.

The damage suit against the In
dian Chieftain is ended, we pre-
sumo, and it is a source of pardon
able pride to the paper that so
many friends in Vinita and else
where, have risen up to defend Its
cause, and express an interest in
the big legal battle just fought out;
and in which the reputation Of the
paper is sustained by a verdict
practically setting at rest the con-
tention that the alleged libelous
publication had damaged any one.
Vinita is the home of the paper,
and of its publishers, and the fact
that its friends rise up in such
numbers when its purposes are
assalled, is a source of qualification,
and is keenly appreciated. The
very best The Chieftain has shall
hencefortn be the property OF the
town. In a sense, newspaper
does not belong to the publishers;
it belongs to the people of the COM
munitv in which it is printed.
When a publisher gets the idea
that he owns the paper, and that
the public has no interest In it,
then it ceases to be a newspaper
and becomes the organ OF the in
dividual. A newspaper has no
more right to suppress
a legitimate news item, than
it has to publish abusive articles
concerning individuals. A news
paper should print the news, the
whole news, and nothing but the
news, and the community where
IL is printed should see to 1t that
no man be allowed to suppress 1t,
or put it to unnecessary trouble and
expense in defending groundless
and trumped-up libel suits.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-04-20
t is contended by some well in

1t Is contended by some we'll in-
formed Cherokees that the treaty
with the Dawes commission which
failed of ratification by congress is
not dead, but only sleeping and
may be revived and passed by the
next Cherokee council and so
amended as to secure its passage
in congress.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-04-20

As the grass begins to grow can
didates for chief and assistant
chief Of the Cherokee nation begin
10 come forth like belated daisies.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-04-20
Selling Their Outfit.

The members of the United
States geological survey have COM
Dleted the survey of the Indian
Territory and are selling their out
fit at public auction. 1t has taken
four years work TO survey and plat
the Indian Territory, and the work
is the most thorough and the best
ever done by the United States
government.
The work of surveying the
ninety-eighth meridian was order
ed by the last congress, and this
work must be done before the al
lotment of the Chickasaw lands
take place.
Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-04-20

If tbe amount Of damages re-
ceiyld by General" Sylvester
S<b from The Chieftain were
nany divided between the
Ss;naf' and his three attorneys
~ amOunt would be just a dollar
ia quarter each-probably all
sbst sch was entitled to.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-22
AS the Spaniards RENE mber Him.

Wells. A quantity of game WIS found
in his possession and positive evidence
of his having killed game un!awfully
has been obtained.
The state authorities have received
information that a band of fourteen
Indians were seen few days ago in
the heart of the game country. where
they were slaughtering wild animals by
the hundreds. When asked why they
were away from their reservation the
Indians said they had permission from
the agent at Fort Hall to make a visit
to the Shoshone and Arapahoe Indians
at Fort Washable. Upon searching the
red skins only seven passes were found.
1t is believed that thase Indians ask
for the passes for no other purpose
than to visit the game country in the
Teton mountains and slaughter game
until they are driven out by the game
wardens. The Indians usually travel
in bands of not less than ten members
and the wardens are pcwerless to do
anything except TO order them away.
The cause of the trouble seems to be
in the issuance of passes and il IS to
stop this practice that Governor Rich
ards has again appealed u the Wash
ington authorities.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-22

Washington, July 21-The name OF
the successor to General Alger as sec
rotary of war may be announced to-
morrow. The president has made his
selection, and it is understood that Eli
hu Root of New York, is his choice.
The question of the appointment IT
a successor TO Secretary Alger was the
subject of a conference at the White
House tonight between the president
and Senator Thomas c. Platt of New
York who came over at late hour.
The conference lasted about an hour
and afterward Senator Platt said that
the president had about decided upon
the person to whom he would tender
the portfolio and that an announce
ment of his name Will be made very
soon. probab bly, tomorrow.
The senator was nOn-communicatiVe
as To who the appointee probably would
be. saying he did not feel al liberty to
talk of what passed at the conference
The senator spoke to the president OF
the fitness of General Francis V. Green
for the war portfolio, whom he said
was his choice for the position, but ii
is understood that General Green is not
the presidents choice.
a good understanding, however, eX-
lists between the president and the SEN
ator regarding the secretaryShip. not
understanding General Green was the
senator's first choice. as Senator Platt
said. in speaking of the prospective ap
pointment. that we did not disagree
as to the man FOR the position
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-22

/ ton of dumdum bullets used by the
British army. Sir Julian Pauncefote
J expressed regret that the plenary ses-
sion had been so suddenly summoned,
as the British government had in
! tended to make a statement regarding
the dumdum bullets. The conference
/ agreed to leave the minutes of The SEES
sion open for the insertion of the Brit
! ish statement.
Mr.. Andrew d. White. the head of the
{ United States delegation, then made an
| important speech in opposition to the
prohibition of such bullets as the dunn
dunn. Mr.. Whites arguments made a
great impression upon the delegates,
and especially when he explained that
the adoption of the proposal as sub
mitted would not prevent the use of
another bullet which had already been
| invented and which would attain the
same end as the dumdum, but in d
more cruel manner. The new missile,
Mr.. White said, was outside the spe-
cific definitions of the present proposal
Captain Crozier the military mem
Der of the United States delegation,
proposed as a substitute the following:
Captain Crozier's Substitute.
THE use of bullets should be pro-
| hibited which infiict unnecessarily
cruel wounds such as an explosive bull
let. and in general every kind OF bullet
exceeding the limits necessary to put
a man Immediately hors du combat
long discussion enSued as to
whether a vote should be taken upon
the original proposal of Captain Gro
zier- The latter was finally chosen ID
be voted upon. Sir Julian Pauncefcte
announced that he would accept Cap
tain CroZier's proposal. but 1t WAS re-
jected by a vote of IL to s.
NJ. Van Karnebecks version was then
adopted, the United States and Great
Britain voting against it and the Por-
tuguese delegates abstaining from vot-
ing. The eight countries voting for
Captain Crozier's proposal We're the
United States. Great Britain Denmark,
Greece, Servia, Portugal. China and
another. All except the first two
named supported the Crozier proposal
only in the hope of securing unanimity
in the conference, Captain Crozier's
proposal being more general in its
terms, while it was known that the
impossibility Of obtaining the adhesion
of the United States and Great Britain
for NJ. Van Karnebeck's version would
render futile any convention on the
subject The remainder Of the report
was then adopted.
Before the close of the sitting the
American delegates announced that
they withdrew articles which they had
proposed should be added to the &C.
neva convention, Captain Mahan ex-
planning the reason for the additional
articles and why they were withdrawn.
The labors of the conference are now
concluded with the exception of the
work before the arbitration committee.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-22
MAUNA LOA IS THREATENED
FEARFUL EXPLOSION Is PRE-
DICTED AT THE VOLCANO.
Waters of the Sea May Find Their
Way Into Crater-Crest Probab-
ly Blown Off.

San Francisco, July 21-The officers
of the steamer Australia, which ar
rived today, say it would not surprise
them to hear that there had neeu a
fearful explosion at the great volcano,
and that Mauna Loa is no more. After
leaving Honolulu the ship ran into a
remarkable cross-sea which the crew
thought was caused by a submarine
disturbance of unusual force. A blush
vapor hung over the water for days,
and heavy cloud shaped like an UNI
brella came. borne on the winds from
the direction of the volcano. When
talking about the eruption of the vol
cano Chief Officer Lawless said:
THE afternoon we left Honolulu the
evening papers contained the news
that the lava flow was within ten miles
of Hilo and travelling steadily. The
inter-island steamers were crowded
with passengers. Some of the people
were going to view the eruption and
others were going to see how their
families and relatives were faring. In
my opinion the whole crest has been
blown off Mauna .Loa. and if the waters
of the sea have found their way into
the crater then the whole island has
been shattered. In no other way car I
account for the peculiar experience We
had after leaving Honolulu"
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-22
DEWEY At TRIESTE BANQUET
WAS MODEST AND CALLED ON
FLAG LIEUTENANT.
Latter. However, Observed Wisdom
Silent Compliments Engineer.

Trieste. July 21.-Admiral Dewey. ac-
companied by Captain Benjamin P
Lamberton and Flag Lieutenant T NJ
Brumby. with the United States cruiser
Olympia, landed here today to return
yesterdays visits to the admiral and to
call only upon the governor of Kusten-
land, Count Goss, who yesterday re-
turned from tour of inspection of the
province. The American officers also
called upon the mayor of Trieste.
The United States minister to Aus
tria-Hungary, Mr.. Addison c. Harris,
gave banquet tonight at the Hotel
de la Villa in honor of Admiral Dewey.
The guests were limited to thirty-five,
and included officers of the cruiser
Olympia, members of the United States
legation and consuls to Austria Hun
gary. The affair was strictly private.
At the banquet this evening, after a
toast to President Mckinley had been
drunk, Mr.. Harris proposed the health
of Admiral Dewey, who, in reply, said
simply:
i thank you sincerely, and drink to
your good health
Captain Fass responded to the toast,
THE American Navy" Mr.. Harris
then proposed THE Captain and Crew
of the Olympia" and requested Admiral
Dewey to relate something of the bat
tie of Manila. The admiral replied:
Il only know that having asked the
steward for something to drink, he
gave me lulSewarm, weak coffee, which
made me feel quite sick. but my flag
lieutenant kept the record and 1 invite
him to speak
What He Learned From Dewey.
Flag Lieutenant Brumby said: 81
was a midshipman under Admiral
Dewey. and he taught me not to talk,
so 1 will only say Dewey did it,
Admiral Dewey rose again and said:
You ask me about the guns and the
superiority of our firing. We fired ten
shots a minute with our five-inch guns
against three shots a minute / found
at Manila no more neutral flag than the
Austrian"
At this point Mr.. Harris interposed,
saying: Austria is sincerely friendly
to the United States"
Admiral Dewey then addressing
himself to the Olympia's chief engi-
neer, said that he had contributed to
the success of the ship in entering the
bay of Manila by admirable steam
ing, bringing the speed up to eighteen
knots Immediately when ordered to put
on full steam. In concluding the BAN
Quet, Mr.. Harris proposed = toast to
Emperor Francis Joseph.
A large crowd gathered outside the
hotel to watch the arrival of the guests.
Admiral Dewey will give a return
banquet tomorrow on board his flag
ship. the Olympia. Minister Harris will
return to Vienna tomorrow