Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1901-09-26
Figure in The Question Of
Granting Leases to
Oil Company.
TOO MANY SHARKS,
All With Political Backing, Ready
to swarm Around the Depart
ment for Their Share Of The
Pluuder If Precedent is
Set.

Especial Correspondence Daily Chleftaln.1
Washington, d. c., Sept. 22.-
The hearing Of the petition Of the
Cherokee Oil aud Gas company
for lease of lands in the Chero.
kee nation, which is set for Octo.
Der 7th, is attracting a great deal
OF attention amongst department
officials az present.
There are strong influences at
work which may determine the
departments decision, that have
not shown on the surface as yet,
bu. from present indications il
looks as though the petition would
be denied.
In conversation with a depart
ment official, your correspondent
was given a passing glance behind
the scenes and feels justified in
asserting that, unless some unusual
political influence is brought to
bear, the leases will not be granted.
A great deal Of favorable com
ment has been heard on the briefs
submitted by the attorneys for the
Indians, aud as an attorney here
who practices largely in the de-
parlments said: "In a law court
there would only be one side to
this case, in the department It is
different. Pull.not law is what
usually wins"
That the oil company has enlist.
ed strong political influence is well
known, aud it is interesting TO
know the circumstances that will
probably Offset it. Eradicaling
the question OF justice entirely,
the department will almost Ger.
tainly deny the petition of the oil
mOgnates Tor Two reasons, viz: To
avoid complications in Indian af-
iairs and TO maintain party amily.
The fret reason assigned is in
line with the policy to wind up In.
dian affairs. There is 40 doub, as
to the departments position on
this point, and while the secre
iary's decision is final complies.
tiops that will be embarrassing to
the department are sure to come
with the entry Of the company in
TO the contested oil fields.
The second reason is even more
potent in its Influence upon the
departments action. The mo.
ment that it is published that he
leases have been granted there are
scores Of speculative hangers on,
each with his quota OF influence,
that will swamp the department
with petitions for a slice of the
rich oil and mineral lands.
If these sharks are denied their
, share of the plunder, their politi,
! cal hackers will turn on the ad'
minisIration and cause breaches in
= the party organization.
d The department feels that such
a precedent would be dangerous
while an announcement that thl
affairs OF the Indian were to b.
adjusted at onoe and that the ad
ministration could not afford &
4 risk any future complications, the,
q think, would at most only often
y the few who are now contesting 70
&c slice of the Indians estate.
~ There is a rumor current thai
y the principal contestants in tn
\ case, have been approached b
Il agents Of the company, with a
of offer to Suy them out.
of How much truth there is in i
f. is impossible to ascertain, thoug
p such action on the part of repre-
sentatives Of the Indians is nj
81 without precedent. II true. thl
k will, Of course, change the aspe'
y, of affairs, aud in the absence Of
.e proper contest, the political il
tluence brought to bear by the o
company, will no doubt result i
ld the leases being granted, o,hel
u wise the chances are largely
p favor OF the Indians.