The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-04-09
oppOq ABOLITION Of TRIBAL TAX
AToKA CONVENTION APPEALS TO
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
Resolutions Declare That the Spirit OF
the Convention Recently Held at South
McAIester Was Exceedingly Hos.
tile to the Native Indians.

Atoka. L. April 6.-The Chicka-
saw-Choctaw convention adjourned
late last night after passing the fol-
lowing resolutions:
Atoka, /. T., April 5.-Hon. 7. W.
Hunter, Choirman Chickasaw-Choc-
taw conxention: We, your commit
tee on resolutions, beg leave to SUBJ
NIT the following resolutions, which
were adopted after due consideration
as a proper expression of the senti-
ment of the Choctaw and Chic kasaw
people upon the many questions af-
fecting our interests.
r. M. HARRIS, Chairman.
ID. C. MOUNTAIN, Secretary.
Pursuant to call, we, the members
of the Choctaw and Chickasaw ma
tions, have by authorized represent
alton met in mass convention at
Atoka, Choctaw Nation, /. T., for
the purpose of considering matters
gravely affecting our common inter-
ests, and for taking such steps as will
best secure US protection in our law
full rights. We desire it understood
that we feel impelled to this action
by the pressure of events brought to
bear by domestic inf1uedces of self
ish and unfriendly nature, and not
by a wavering of faith in the repre-
sentatives of the government, prop
erly informed. Sensible to the dangers
of Misrepresentation, we feel it in
cumbent upon US to offer the coun-
terpart of the convention of non-cit-
izens recently held, and to join in a
united expression, upon all ques-
tions affecting Choctaw and Chicka-
saw interests, for the information of
congress and the department; there
fore be it
Resolved 1. That we disclaim rep
resentation in the convention refer
red to, and deny, by solemn affirma-
ton, that tribal interests we're shown
consideration therein, or that the
expressions thereof voice the senti-
ments of the Choctaw and Chickasaw
people. The sentiment that prevail
ed was that of hostility to the Indian
and in violation of the Atoka agree
ment, former treaties and existing
laws.
2. That we deplore the the move
ment inaugurated by said convention
urging not only violation by the
government of the obligations of the
Atoka agreement, but tearing uI
and disarrangement os the govern
mental machinery erected thereun
: der for the administration of our af
fairs.
3. That we are unalterably expos
ed to the Adjustment of our triba
taxes for the following reasons:
, (a) The Atoka agreement guaran
tees the continuation of our govern
ment for eight years from March
1898, with full power and Jurisdiction
except as herein modified. Our gov
ernments and public institutions are
dependent almost wholly upon these
revenues for support, and their sud
den withdrawal would result in vic
lent disruption and dissolution, anc
thus defeat the purposes for which
? our governments we're continued
namely, to prepare for tribal extinc
ton without damage to our interests
and to carry out the provisions o
the agreement. A lapse in oul
tory all past efforts at reformation
defeat the many plans now under
way for the protection of our estates
and result dlsastrously to private anC
public interests.
(b) The tax imposed upon Indiar
citizens is that the interest upor
their invested fund, goes not tc
them individually, but to public uses
To abolish tribal taxes imposed upoI
non-citizens, and to allow them to in
wade the public domain, and avail
themselves of the many benefits
which they enjoy, with compensa
: ton to the Indians, would confer
; upon them rights aud privileges mo-
enjoyed by citizens.
(c) To abolish the tribal taxes al
this time, in violation of the spir1
and letter of the Atoka agreement
would be breach of faith and abuse
of confidence that could but 81 gend
er distrust among the Indian people
and thereby render them less E1 fo.
the dignities and responsibilities O
American citizenship, which vii
come to them by tribal extinction
In accepting the Atoka agreement
they have needed the advice of tbs
government, and agreed to reli1
quish every trdiction that has char
acterized them as race. They nov
insist upon the reasonable reques
that it's obligations be sacredIy OBJ
served.
4. That the Choctaw and Chicka
saw people desire that the allotment
of lands, and the laying out of town
sites proceed with all possible speed
consistent with strict observance
of the Atoka agreement. To thai
end and with only this condition xre