The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-05
CAUGHT BY
The LOBBYISTS
Indian Not Avsrse TO Selling
His Vote TO White Men.
AMBITION Of The INDIAN BOY.
II Is 10 Be Elected TO Council Where Hs
Can Make Money BY Casting Ballot
In Desired Way.
AMBITION OF The INDIAN BOY.

grows up, he will, in case ne feels COM
municative. express an ambition TO be-
come some day member OF his council.
Don not, however, infer from this that
IL is the honor OF the place which fires
his youthful heart.
His views are far more practical. What
he looks forward 10 is the financial con-
sideration. for well he knows that in no
other capacity. with an equal absence OF
effort on his part, can he make as much
money as by getting elected TO the coun-
ell. There is always money in IL.
Five councils rule the affairs OF Indian
Territory. the Cherokee, chickasaw. .Choc-
taw. Creek and Seminole councils. All
of them are money makers. The salary
OF a councilman Is only So a day.y few
OF the members quit the service OF their
country poor, although many Of them
are almost without visible means OF sup
port when they enter upon a legislative
career.
How do they achieve this? Ask the in
genious insinuating and highly prevalent
lobbyist. No session could or would care
TO do business without him. He or the i'm
terestS which he represents. through him.
furnish the sinews OF legislation. No man
goes to the Indian capital unless he has
some axe 10 grind.
No corporation. company, firm or indi-
vidusl Al attempts to get a bill Iisssed with
of money I'm "Jollving up the redskinned
legislators. In plain speech, the Indian
council meetings are the scene OF the
most general and open bribery to be found
anywhere In this country.
HOW THE COUNCILS ARE CHOSEN.
The Indian council in each of the Eve
tribes meets once a year, usually In the
fall and winter. There are two houses
a lower house of forty members and an
upper house. or senate. OF twenty-eight
members.
Councilmen are elected by vote of the
Indian citizens for a term of two years.
and the chief or presiding officer OF each
council is also chosen by the electors OF
the tribe. The constitutions of the tribes
differ somewhat.
For Instance. that OF the Creeks is
based on the constitution OF the state or
Mississippi, while the Cherokee consti-
tuition follows clocely that OF Arkansas.
The constitutions were originally drawn
first took charge OF Indian affairs about
fifty years ago. Each council remains In
session as long as there is any business
to transact. The longest sessions do not
last more than two months.
Lobbyists with pockets full Of money
flock to the capital when the council Is
convened. and many or them are there
throughout the session. Firewater is dis
tributed freely. Money is catered LIBERAL
ly right and left
dingsis lively. Ii is by no means unknown
for two rival lobbyists 20 bid for hesi-
tating councilman In the open streets. ON
the other hand. the legislative market
slumps occasionally, and votes may Ae
had as low as $40.
Never below that figure. however: An
Indian member who sold his vote lower
than that would be an object OF derision.
II not of actual wrath. TO his fellows.
ROTATION IN OFFICE.
No man ever serves more than twice
on the council bench. because IL is un-
derstood that as many ass possible shali
have a chance at the pie counter. There
is no sentiment among the mass OF the
Indians against the acceptance by their
lawmakers of the large sums or money
from lobbyists; consequently the work OF
buying votes ~ carried on AT the couhclls
Indians are not subject to arrest for
bribetaking. and that is perhaps one rea-
son why they are so bold. There is a law.
however. which annuls all bills passed by
fraud. IL fraud can be proved. As Presi-
dent Mckinley now passes on all acts OF
the Indian councils before they go into
full force and effect. he is the one who
decides whether measures were passed
lust at this time the Indian department
has an inspector at Tahlequah, the capi-
tai OF the Cherokees, looking into a
special privilege bill, which, II is claimed,
was lobbied through. The bill provides
for the collection of s5,O0O.00O from the
United States, which is due the Chero-
KEGS.
ANY one who could write a bill for Con-
gress could get the money appropriated,
but the Indians were impressed with the
fact they must he paid TO return that col
lection account over 60 some outside
party. So they advertised for attorneys
to collect the money.
This was call for the highest bidder.
Two wealthy bankers, both Of the Indian
country. sent agents 10 Tshleduah, and
agreed 20 pay 100000 IL bill was passed
paying them ten per cent, or SoOo.Ooo, for
collecting the money from the United
states Each lawmaker was promised
anywhere from 81. 900 20 100000 TO vote
for the measure. consequently IL went
through without dissenting voice.
Then Il developed that some Of the rcd
skins who voted for the measure had not
been paid They sent word 20 the bank
ers that they must have the money. The
bankers told them that they could not get
It. asane bill was now a law, and that
was all they wanted
But the bankers did. not reckon wisely.
These disgrunted lawmakers sent quiet
tip 10 the United States Inspector. and
told him the facts The Inspector is now
making an investigation, and says he Will
have 10 annul the bill. SO the bankers
will have TO be out OF pocket the price
of considerable number Of Legislators
SOME UNIQUE LAWS.
Some ~ the laws Of these Indians are
UNIQUE For instance. " two or more per-
sons meet together in the Creek nation
and talk over the matter Of overthrowing
the Greek laws. each of these persons Is
liable 10 a fine of $50 and 20 receioe nifty
lsshes on the bare back.
The law has heen frequently violated
even hy the chiefs. and hat few times
has the penalty been exscted In the
Cherokee nation there Is law which
makes II treason punishable by death 20
sell any lard in thar nation TO white
men. Only one case 81 violation or this
Law IL on record
In the rhoctnw nation hne of 5000
has been imposed upon any Young buck
who e. - foolish as to fali in love With
and marry > white giri. and any Chicka-
saw girl Who weds white man u han
ishcd fron the tribe
N used 20 he the law that any white
man who married an Indian girl was al
lowed 10 share in the riches n tho tribe.
but in most of the tribes that law has