The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1905-03-14
TO INVESTIGATE
CHEROKEE EDITOR
enatorFergusOnFiIes Charges
Against WyIy Melton, Man
ager Of the Advocate.
Tahleouah. |. T., March 2, 1905.

~--N~~f
Hon. J. Blair Shoenfelt,
United States Indian Agent,
Muskogee, /. I.
Dear Sir:-I am a citizen Of the
Cherokee Nation, and as such am inter-
ested in the welfare Of these people,
and of the Nations institutions.
/ am representing the people Of my
district Flint as senator in the Ma
tional council and helped to elect w.
J. Melton to the position Of editor of
the Cherokee Advocate. Since that
time, however, certain facts in regard
to him and his management Of the
Advocate have been brought tony at
tention, so that at the solicitation OF
many prominent and influential citi-
zens Of the Nation, hereby make the
following charges against him, stand
ing ready to substantiate my state
ments and assertions by reliable and
trustworthy parties; and ask in the
name Of the intelligent element Of the
Cherokee Nation that, If under your
jurisdiction, you carefully investigate
the present management Of the Adyo-
cate. and If in your power place in the
position of editors man who will carry
out the intention for which this paper
was created and is nov being supported
out of the Cherokee national funds.
| am ready to prove by parties whose
names are above reproach, and who
know Mr.. Melton personally from close
association, that he is Iilliterate to a
shameful degree and totally incompe-
tent to fill the position which he now
holds on the Advocate; that the printer
who sets the Cherokee type does all Of
the writing and selecting Of reprint
copy on the Advocate; that Mr.. Melton
often does not know what is in the
paper until it is issued; that the Chero-
kee part of the Advocate is neglected
on account Of the printer paid to do
that work having to do the work OF
the editor; that articles in Cherokee
remain week after week in the paper
without change, and that no proof is
taken of the Cherokee matter after it
is put in type, but is put in the paper
without correction. and that the paper
has lost all influence with the Chero-
kee full-bloods. and is subject Of
ridicule with them under Mr.. MeltOn's
management; that Melton's 13-year-
old son draws the pay of s240 gear
appropriated for pressman, when he
does not understand this work and
never makes any pretense Of doing it;
and that the only additional help tbs
printers receive on press day is the
service of an old full-blood Indian to
turn the press, for which he receives
fifty cents for each day so employed,
or twenty-six dollars year.
That w. J. Melton has lost all his
influence for sobriety and morality
among his people, on account of his
in which condition he
has often been seen on the streets of
Tahlequah, and has been the subject
Of much comment.
respectfully ask your consideration
in this matter, and faithfully promise
If you decide to take any action to in
yestigate the above charges to secure
Of reliable parties confirming
all Of the statements made.
Will await your reply advising me
as to whether you have jurisdiction in
the matter, and If you think it neces-
sary for me TO furnish afldavits-
Very truly yours,
GEORGE FERGUSON,
n ~