The Washington times., 1901-07-24
AN INDIAN REPUBLIC.

Alv 1NO1AN nEL
In the recesses of the North Carolina
mountains there is highly civilized
band of Indians who form nation sepa-
rate and distinct from the State govern
ment and based upon the theories Of
democracy. The people who compose the
community are Cherokee Indians Of y.sre
blood. although many degrees removed
from the savagery of their ancestors. and
their scheme of government. while ad-
herring to many of the traditions OF their
tribe. is far In advance of any existing
among other of the original natives of
the soil.
The chief. or President OF the Republic.
is elected by plurality vote by the quail
fed electors or the country. He must be
at least thirty years of age and n native
of the Republic. He holds Office for four
years. However. should he be authorized
by his Congress to leave the country on
public business. his compensation Is fixed
at "a day and mileage. He is not only
the chief executive of the nation. but Is
Its hrst citizen. and he Is always regarded
as the personal friend and adviser of his
people in their Individual capacity, and
II Is frequently the case that ne, adjusts
disputes and settles controversies between
his people In order to save them the ex-
penses of litigation
Ex-President Chaldohih's daughter. who
was educated In Boston, Is said to have
been the most beautiful and popular
woman of the nation. and during his ad-
ministration she was the Dolly Madison
Of the little Republic.
Jesse Reid. the incumbent, Is no ordi-
nary man. He is giving the country one
.f
ever had. Mr.. Reid is a prosperous farm
or and stock raiser. and prefers his COM
Portable home en- the beautiful Saco River
to residence In the capital Mrs. Reid
is decidedly domestic In her tastes and
takes little interest IN matters beyond her
home and religious and charitable af-
fairs. but by her friends she is esteemed
very excellent woman.
The Vice President of the Republic. Still
well Saunonkih. is an interesting charac-
ter. During the civil war the Cherokee
Republic espoused the cause OF the South.
and one of them. Gen. Stand Wait. rose
to the rank of a brigadier His command
was composed largely OF his own people.
and one of his most gallant and trusted
officers was Major Saunonki Since the
war the major has been noted for hfs
enterprise. and II is said that he is the
most popular man In the nation.
The legislative branch of the Govern
ment is vested entirely in one grand coun-
ell or House of Representatives. and this
body Is almost omnipotent Its mem
bers are elected biennialIy. They must
be citizens and freehoIders of the Repub-
lie and twenty-one years of age. and dur
ing the time for which they are. elected
they receive 81 a day.
The Speaker of Congress- who is elected
py that body, has a compensation Of 81 50
a day while the House Is In session. This
Is limited to thirty days. but the President
can convene 1t in extraordinary session
whenever the exigencies of public affairs
may require IT.
Matters of foreign relations are in the
hands OF Congress, but. in fact. the work
Is delegated to the Minister The fncum-
Dent. James Blye. is altogether a very
remarkable young man. There are few
Americans whose use of pure and accurate
English -excels his. He is possessed in a
nigh degree of the qualities of statesman
ship, and OF these the most marked Is
the judicial temperament. These make of
him Minister whose policies are followed
and not prescribed. He goes regularly Tn
Washington every year to look after the
of his people. He also represent,
them at the capital of North Carolina
when 1t Is necessary for his country to
any business with that State Z
-lhe ofncers OF the Congress are speak
er, vice speaker. clerk. sergeant arms.
and dOorkeeper.
Speaker Cornsilk, of the present Com
gresS, Is a full-blooded Cherokee. but Is
! IN "a aDle n man. a fine presiding officer. and
= Is said that 1t was through his efforts
mat the Reed rules were adopted
All real property Is primarily vested in
me Government. but when a citizen
girl marries white man the right ac-
'rues TO select any portion of unappropri-
ited iand, and upon application, to the
Z Lseglsiature It IS segregated. and the ap-
'iieant becomes Its owner to all fntents
Inc purposes except sale, which Is pro-
lirfted, unless the purchaser be natfye.
= the title is acquired by intermarriage
With a Cherokee and she dies the titie
-everts to the Government. unless she
o them
A viii. written or nencupative. is valid
I attested by two witnesses but if there
$ no will. the property of the tntestate
iescends to the heirs equally. For an
purposes, citizenship accrues to the whjte
nan VINO marries a native. but he cannot
'e elected President of the nation. All
naie citizens over sixteen years OF age
re invested with the franchise. and sell
ng or purchasing of votes Is made
Previous to tine first Republic trial bv
ury was held to be- sacred. and their first
provided that it should never
'e denied In addition to all these. there
.re otner laws prescribing a statute of.
limitations, fixing punishments for EN-
'ezzlement and perjury. and. in fact.
making all other regulations for an eaui-
able and orderly administration of JUS
ice. winch Is executed through regular
ourts. provided over by native Judges.
Ihey were never a polygamous people
nd some of their most stringent laws
we're directed against that and the viola
ION OF the Sabbath They are, perhaps,
ne only people who are citizens of two
istinct and separate Republics Under
ne treaty of 1871 they were made citizens
4 the United States for the purpose of
oting for Federal officers and this privi-
ege was confirmed and provisions made
or counting their vote as part of that
f North Carolina.