The Van Buren press., 1902-05-03
Poor 10" Learns Value Of "Graft."

1 1.-The average Indian who turns his
attention to mercantile business de.
velops into shrewd and successful
trader, - said Charles F. Barrett OF
Shawnee, Okla. who is in Washington
AS single statehood delegate from that
territory.
He is here on a double mission. foe in
addition to being charged with the du-
ties of a political delegate he is also
pledged to carry memorial from the
Seminole Indians as their representative
direct to the president of the United
States, their "big chief. -
MIR. Barrett has lived in the territory
many years and has passed nearly all
his life in those parts of the West where
The Indians were most numerous. DE
il well informed on Indian affairs and
he understands the Indian character
perfectly, having obtained his fund OF
information first hand from Poor Lo .
himself.
He added:
1.-The experienced Indian trader can
drive the sharpest kind of bargain.
The redskin merchant, with his stoical
expressions and immobile countenance,
can maintain an air of sincerity and hon
esty and dignity, but all the time he
may be deliberately cheating his cus-
toner, without so much as even a
twinge of conscience for his misrepre-
sentation. He considers it perfectly
legitimate business to give as little as
possible for the largest amount OF
kn oh ai O.
representation is necessary on his part
to complete the deal.
This is especially true If the Gus,
toner happens to be an Indian and |
want to say right here that no white
man ever cheated the Indian as deliber-
ately as the smart red men who are now
engaged In the undoing of their lazier
and less favored brethren,
There are Indians in the territory to-
day whose wealth is in the sixth figure
and | will venture that there are several
at least who would not part with their
property interests for cool million.
"You canform no idea of the shrewd.
ness of some Of those fellows, of the
business sagacity they display, and you
would be surprised at the foresight
shown by some of them in the matter of
obtaining and holding real estate to
await future developments.
II know of particular case In which
two brothers in a tribe are doing what
gamblers call working both ends
against the middle. One Of them is a
merchant who has been extremely sue
cessful and by means Of the money he
has made he has succeeded In working
his more diplomatic brother into high
political Office in the tribe. He Is the
| treasurer, In fact, and he consequently
handles all the money Of the tribe.
Now he is not dishonest in the eyes
Of the law, and his plan is even looked
upon with favor by some who consider
the Indian unable to look after his own
interests; but to show how shrewd these
brothers are let me explain:
The treasurer, of course, receives
all the tribal moneys, which amount to
something more than 800 900 per year.
But instead Of dividing the cash pro
rata he puts II into the tribal treasury
and issues scrip for it. This scrip, in
the form Of checks, is equally divided,
each male Indian receiving his exact
portion. The scrip is good, but 1t Is
redeemable only at the store OF the
merchant brother Of the treasurer. and
this system enables him TO absolutely
control the entire retail merchant bust
ness Of the tribe. He gives groceries,
meats, dry goods, clothing and supplies
OF all kinds In exchange for the scrip
and ha than furpa tha aprip into the