The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-01-14
REMOVE THE
RESTRICTIONS
Commercial Club Passes Ring
ing Resolutions.
APPEAL TO CONGRESS
Only One Acre in Seven of the
Millions OfFine Agricultu-
raj Lands in the CherO-
kee Nation is Broken
and Farmed.
APPEAL TO CONGRESS

Memorial to Congress from the Com
mercial Club of Ninita, /. T.
To the Senate and House Of Repre-.
seutatiyes of the United states Con.
gress, Greeting:
| Whereas, by law all Indians, inter
| married whites and freedmen, mem
bers Of the Five Civilized Tribes, are
citizens of the United States, and
| Whereas, by treaties and acts OF
congress the lands belonging to the
Five Civilized Tribes are now being,
or have already been, allotted TO the
individual members OF each OF the said
tribes or nations of Indians owning
the same, and
Whereas, the object and virtue OF
said treaties and laws Is and has ever
been, to invest said Indians with in
diyidual rights and citizenship, 70
clothe him with responsibility for his
own welfare and the welfare of his
children, TO teach him the laws Of self
support and worldly success. 10 incour-
age him IN the arts Of peace; to foster
husbandry among his people; to en-
courage the Improvement Of the lands
which he holds and owns. aud 10 de-
yelop the country IN which he lives;
10 encourage hls education and the
education of his children: and,
Whereas, the present laws and treat
les prevent him from selling or mort
gaglug his lands, whether his home
stead or other holdings, 10 any person
or corporation, absolutely or condition
ally preventing his executing deeds
.of trust thereon. or from pledging the
same as security for any loan or money
judgment Whatever and,
Whereas, he is too poor 10 improve
his lands, 70 build houses NJ for him
self and family TO build fences 10 en-
close the same; 10 break the great
prairie lands for planting, 70 build
barns for his stock, 10 buy stock to
place upon his lands, 10 buy farm ma
chluery and implements 10 properly
farm the lands: drill wells for water
upon his lands he has no estate
save the lands which ara allotted 10
him under the said laws and treaties;
that the said lands are TO him useless
unless broken and farmed:and
Whereas, there are now only one
acre IN seven Of the millions of fine |
agricultural lands la the great Ghero-
kee nation broken aud farmed; and,
Whereas il is Of the highest and |
greatest importance 10 the welfare and |
prosperity OF tile Indians OF the In
dian Territory, and for the develop
meut aud upbuiIding Of tile lands and |
cities Of thai country that the Indian
b. permitted AZ once 10 sell and dis
pose Of, or to mortgage and pledge Is
security at least a portion Of his lands
preserving 20 himself his homestead
IN order that he may be able 10 build
him home. 10 fence his lands, 10 farm
and improve his homestead. wherehf
he may enjoy comfort and peace: ard
that portion of the same may le
taxed IN order that schools may De-
bullded wherein his children may ~
educated and reared good citizens.
Whereas bin IS uow pending al
congress providing Tor tie removal Il
Tie restrictions upon the alienation 81
a portion of the lands belonging tottel
indians in the said Indian Terrltor |
aud granting 10 them the unrest rlctcIl
right % sell and dispose " AN therl
said lands except tie Homestead. sud |
bill providing that al persons of n9t |
more than une-haif Indian blood shall
have the right % sell and dispose 9f
their said lands
Now therefore be II resolved bythe
Commercial club Of Vinlta, Indanl
Territory that We approve and ca.
donse tie said measure 50 far as lie /
same teaches IN It's scope aud purpoas
toward granting 10 tie Cherokee M.
dians the right 20 sell and dlspo.a of |
their lands except their homestead
and we ask congress. IN toth houses
10 piss measure AZ the present ,es.
sion of congress witch aill enable Inc
1herokees q sell all of their lands h
The Cherokee uation.except thelriame.
sieads and believe that # IS tle anlyi
faifi Just and neeessary means of lid. |
ing and assisting the Cherokee plpIe
from their present condition f0ilaf
condition 70 which they aspire and |
deserve % te. That we believe that
hereby ihey would b. enabled % I'M.
prove their lands. build them com
Portable h0uic< fence their ana