The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-11-12
CHIEF BUFFINGTON'S
MESSAGE TO COUNCIL
FOrcefuIly Tells Of COndi.
liOHS Existing in the
Cherokee Nation

Tahlequah, }. T., Nov. l2.-Fol-
iov ns are extracts from the message
OF Hon 81 NJ Burlington principal
ohIes 81 the Cherokee nation, 20 us
nation coracn ID ga, tribe;
10 ire MenbesH OF tho Nauonal
couneil-centemens You have as-
sembled 70 transact such business as
may be necessary for the good Of the
people. who hnve chosen You 20 repre-
sent them. In the originaton Of leg
isiative enactments your win is SUE
preme. In this connection fhe execu-
tive is merely advisory, as he can only
make such suggestions and recommcn-
dations as he may deem expedient
that may be put into execution or
ignored. at your volition.
MINERAL LEASES.
Under section 13 Of the act Of con-
gress Of June 2S. 1898, known as the
Curtis law. the secretary Of the inter-
ior assumes the authority to grant
leases upon our lands for the purpose
of mining minerals and oil IT was
advised by letter, dated July 10. 1901.
from the honorable commissioner OF
Indian affairs, that the honorable sec
retary Of the interior would. after the
expiration OF thirty days from the 1ith
day Of July, 1901. that Is, on the l1th
day OF August consider the applica.
tion Of the Cherokee on and Gas Com
pany, an Arkansas corporation. for the
lease OF eertains lands in the Cherokee
nation. I Immediately addressed LETT
ter to the secretary, requesting a post
ponement OF action in order 20 obtain
some data. An extension OF thirty days
was granted, and the attorneys for the
Cherokee nation submitted the nations
brief aad argument in opposition TO
the application OF the said company
before the honorable secretary OF the
Interior September TO- last and / also
entered vigorous protest against the
granting OF such "a lease. which accom-
panes this message for your informa-
tlon. Again the secretary postponed
action until the eth day OF October
The granting OF leases OF any kind at
this time would only complicate matters
more and prolong our dying days
believe the citizens Of this nation
want to hold their land. when II Is
indlvidualzed. under the same system
and tenure as the United States makes
TO her citizens--owners of everything
beneath as well as above the surface.
During the ten years which this lease
has run which the Cherokee oil and
Gas Company now seek to get pos
session OF. the paltry sum OF S25 has
been received by the nation as a royal
~. Such returns TO our common lreas-
ury does not justify the retarding
FOR score OF years the progress and
advancement of 10000 land holders, be-
sides the great hardship the leasing OF
this land now would cause double that
number of industrious United States
citizens already In our midst.
Notwithstanding my efforts and the
efforts OF the attorneys for the nation
TO prevent the leasing OF our lands. the
Interior department last month leased
to the Cherokee Gas and OH Company
II $50 acres OF land in Cooweescoowee
district. ! Immediately ordered injunc-
tion proceedings against the secretary
and his subordlnates 20 restrain them
from issuing said lease. This arbitra-
ry action should be opposed by us IN
every legal way possible, and you
should make provisions 10 follow II
10 the highest court OF the land
EDUCATION.
Among the great many mile posts
that mark the progress of our on
ward course there is none more promi-
nent than the educational institutions
of the Cherokee nation. For their in
auguration ana organization fun cred
it must be given 60 our far-seeing an
cestors, the real Cherokee Indian. Our
schools stand out conspicuously as an
embodiment OF the highest and best
"a 4 nj ffslft
growth and are lasting monuments OF
the spirit of thriftiness OF this people
In our high schools was provided for
and IS tenaciously held the idea OF
separate education for the sexes. Ia
these seminarles. the young men and
the young women are kept in touch
with the world. without being ruth
lessly thrust upon Il 10 the detrimeni
OF Womanly gentleness and purity and
manly character and strength. IL IS
a source OF much qualification 10 wit
ness the placing Of young women and
young men upon their honor, thus max
ing them ladylike and genuemanly Ia
their conduct. Self-respon Is an
cducative force 10 the student Th'
course OF study Of our high schools
should step by step. be made co-equa
10 that Of the curriculum OF the col
ieges Of the surrounding states, 80 tina
the Cherokee youth could acquire a
home the high literary culture ahOr1
ed hy The best colleges. The prepare
tory department should Ia reality pre-
pare for the collegiate course on
nelghborhood or primary schools cai
and should be made more efficient I
can be accomplished by the selection @
better quuiifed teachers and clos
supervision OF schoolroom work. o
our hoard Of education should be th
best talent our country affords and me-
- hirf r-r-e' ~ sninn
flN ANCES
The Cherokee nauon hes moneys nos