Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-11-16
WRlGHFS LETTER.
Inspector Writes the Chief
in Regard to Contest,
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Office OF u. :. Indian Inspector.

MuskOgee. l. L
Hon. :. II Mayes. Principal Chief Cherokee
Nation, Tahlequah, l. I.
SIR:-I understand that the gen.
eral council of the Cherokee nation
convenes on November 9th, at
which time they will cOnvass the
votes at the recent election for
principal chief of said nation.
1t has been represented to me
that at the time the said election
was held many votes were pur-
chased and considerable whiskey
used, and other unlawful and i'm
proper means adopted to secure
votes, and appeal is made to the
secretary of the interior that he
take action in the matter. In this
connection l enclose herewith a
copy of a communication address
ed by me, of even date, to Mr..
Frank J. BoudInot, on the subject,
in reply to letter from him dated
October 22nd last, forwarding q
communication to the secretary Of
the interior and commissioner of
Indian affairs, in reference to al
legged frauds and whiskey used in
connection with the recent election
referred to. In this letter l advised
him that the government continues
and that their chief and other Of
ficers are under provisions of their
tribal laws as set forth on pages
244 and 245 of the claws of the
Cherokee nation, 1892" whereby
provision is made for the manner
of contesting elections and which
gives the national council author
ity and specially states what action
they should take in the premises.
have also advised him to make
complaints to the United States
commissioner at Tahlequah against
parties who committed any unlaw-
ful acts at said election, in order
that proper action could be taken
by the U. S. court in such matters
as provided by the act of congress
approved June 2S, 1898.
As it is also represented that
there is likely to be trouble at this
meeting of the council, owing to
the strong feeling existing between
the various parties interested and
that bloodshed is liable TO follow
unless the federal government
takes some steps to provide against
such an outcome, / would respect
fully suggest that you present this
matter to your council at such
time as they may convene, advis-
ing them to make proper invest
igation into any alleged irregular
tiles existing at the time of this
recent election, in order that JUS
tice may be done to all parties
concerned. | would also suggest
that you advise them that it is
hoped that the matter will be sat-
isfactOrily adjusted without further
trouble, which might result in the
federal government being required
to take action in the matter. With
reference to the representations
that bloodshed is almost sure to
follow the meeting of council un-
less the government should take
some action | have to advise you
that the Indian agent has been
directed to station several police
men at Tahlequah at such time as
council convenes to see that law
and order is preserved. There is
also a U. S. commissioner located
at Tahlequah together with deputy
U. S. marshals, whose duty it
would be to take prompt action in
case OF any trouble and 1 therefore
trust that these may be properly |
investigated by the council and
that they will see to it that proper
investigation is made as provided
for by the election laws.
The representative of the feder-
al government as above mentioned
will be present and take prompt
action if necessary to preserve
law and order.
Very respectfully,
J. GEORGE WRIGHT,