The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-11-18

CITIZENS
ASSEMBLE
Noted Leaders are Here
Strong Resolutions
are Adopted

Prominent representative citizens
Of the Chickasaw-choctaw Indian
Tribes met at the court house this az.
ternoon at o'clock in mass meeting
to petition the federal government to
take action in winding up Indian ar
fairs
#. B. Johnson aas elected chairman
with Frank Plato as secretary. A
committee on resolutions was appoint
ed as follows: E. S. Burney, Reford
Bond. J. s. Askew, OF Chickasha;
Charles Goode, Lindsay and J. r.
Doak, Duncan.
Resolutions embodying much the
same issues that we're passed at the
mass meeting Of Indian citizens at
McAlester Nov. is were prepared. IN
eludingthe sale Of surface Of coal
lands. the safe OF unallotted lands.
the discontinuance OF the tribal
schools at the close of the present
term, the bi-annual payment Of roy
alties from coal ara asphalt lands.
the sale Of public buildings, coal and
asphalt deposits sold at public auc-
ton by congress and the adjustment
Of tribal government
n B. Ainsworfh, Oklahoma city,
J. S. Shannon, Wynnewood. J. y. Me-
Murray. MeAIester. Ed Mitchell. wyn.
newood, Judge J. M. Bond Of Terrell.
and Congressman Scott Ferris were
among Che prominent men in atten-
dance.
Congressman Scott Ferris made
short talk before the meeting in which
he held that it was almost criminal
for the federal government to hold
the Indian funds. He said that he was
in favor Of paying the Indian citizerS
every cent due them. Mr.. Ferris
made a splendid talk concerning the
Indians Of Oklahoma.
Dimes Ainsworth made an able talk
in favor of the resolutions which
were adopted unanimously.
A resolution was adopted oppos-
ing large expenditures BY the tribal
counsel and legislature at this time.
Congress is urged to cause to be
paid to the Indians all funds belong
ing to them, including invested funds
not later than Jan /, 1918.
The discontinuance Of the tribal
schools is urged because it is believ-
ed that the Indian children should be
encouraged to attend tie county and
state schools, thereby becoming bet
ter fitted to cope with new condi-
tions"
AS to coal and asphalt lands the
resolutions say:
THAT the coal and asphalt depos-
its, leased and unleased. be sold By
congress as soon as rSgrket conditions
justify the sale; provided such sale
shall not be postponed beyond the
expiring date Of existing leases.
Tribal Government.
Since the purpose for which our
tribal government was continued by
the Atoka Agreement and acts OF
congress have been practically all car
ried out, we see no benefit to come
to us as people from its further
continuance. 1t is no longer a rep
resentative government. since It's
present officers, with few exceptions.
we're not elected by the choctaw peo-
pei. The present council is composed
largely Of men appointed BY the Pfin.
cipal Chief and governor and the
Principal Chief himself was not elect
ed by the Choctaw people
Congress has assumed sole authoe.
.ty over our government; let congress
assume an responsibility in the prem
ises and abolish our entire govern.
ment. Including those positions.
which, while not considered tribal Of.
ficea, are paid out Of tribal funds.
except the office .oI Principal Chief
and governor, whose powers and du.
ties shall be limited to signing deeds
and bis salary shall not exceed $4,000
per annum"
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