The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-10
ACTUAL WANT THIS WINTER.
II Threatens Many People in the
Cherokee Nation.

TahleQUah, J. r., Nov. at. ~ Bufing-
ton. principal chief of the Cherokees. de-
delivered his annual message yesterday
to the Cherokee national council. The
members of the Dawes commission were
present.
The chief advised the continuance of
the opposition to the leasing 10y the score
tary Of the interior of he OH and min
eraI reservation lands. Tie report further
said:
The almost unprecedented drouth of
the last season scorched. withered and
dried the crops in many sections of our
country. The class of our people who
have always relied upon the corn crop
for sUstenance ara now almost without
bread for their families and indications
point to their actual want during the
corning winter and spring. In anticipa-
ton of such d contingency. and to re-
lieve those who need assistance, j recon-
mend that YOU appropriate such a sum Of
money as win meet the needs of our peo-
pie until erotEer crop is grown.
THE commissioner of Indian affairs ad-
vises me that we now have in the treas
dry OF the United States 10 our credit
derived from the collection of royalties,
the sum Of $3.50. 2SS. 80 and suggest that
a sufficient amount OF this fund be used
for the purpose mentioned above.
The Cherokee nation mas money now
deposited in the United States treasury
as follows: Asylum fund Se4147l7; gen
eral fand. SIPS, 9.21; orphan fund S374,-
679.3l; school fund, $S51 1921. Total 81
70 2SS.90.
These funds bear five per cent interest
In addition we have to our credit in the
United States treasury from the collec-
ton Of royalties $2502sS.9 90. The United
States Indian agent at AIuscogee has re-
c5ived S215,157.22 due the Cherokee nation
from the United States government on
our invested funds.
'.The Dawes commission has now been
engaged in enrolling the citizens of our
nation for nearly TWO years. The process
appears TO be slow and many obstacles
are encountered a large number of our
citizens by blood have not presented
themselves before the commission. 1 urge
in the strongest terms possible that all
our people enroll without further delay
In consequence of the very large number
of freedmen claiming citizenship who are
evidently not entitled to enrolment
the nation is compelled to secure witness
ses from many of the surrounding states.
A temporary injunction has been granted,
restraining the Dawes commission from
enrolling such persons as the attorneys
for the nation contend should not be
enrolled under the law.
Il have IN former annual and special
messages urged the council to make
some provisions for the collection Of due
and unpaid installmeuts on intruder
places sold under authority of the law
by the sHerifs of the various districts.
rhe nation has also gained possession
through the courts of the United States.
of many improvements occupied by the
authorized persons. ! urge You to make
some provisions regulating these matters
whereby the nation nay be benefited
For many years the United States gov
ercment has had commission in this
country with the object of securing
agreements with the five civilized tribes
for the purpose of Notwithstanding an
coIamon holdings preparatory 10 merging
an Indians into American citizenship
our system of land tenure is different
from that in operation among all intelii-
CERT. progressive ana civilized people
our custom and institutions are rot such
as viii keep rs in the foremost ranks of
modern civilization Who Of YOU desire to
remain fin The confused condition That
prevails in this country now Ii is nat
ural to want to remain as we are. We
cannot DO it, rhe universal law az mo-
'iou impels rs onward
THE Dawes commission has entered
into agreements with the Choctaws,
Chickasaws. Seminolcs and the Greeks.
These tribes retain ana exercise more
tribal government TODAY thun The Chero-
KEGS While not approving all provisions
of their agreement they arc placed IN a
better position 10 protect their interests
in the collection of revenues and royal
tics end in the practice of economy i'm
tle administration 81 anairs -eneralIE.