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Indian Chieftain. 1.50 ! Tmm.x Zn Advn.o. Pulillalipil Thiirmlnva li y Fh Indian liiinrni I'i ,o.ihHi,CiHi'AN y, I). M. MARKS, Kdltor. M. K. MII.KOKU, Ma muter. . VlNITA, I N i. Tkb., Fku. IS, m. Bland's free coinage, bill was in troduced in the lower liottso of con gress Monday. Ex-Gov. 8r. John U letturinn in Springfield, Missouri, this week on temperance. Hon. John Wanamakkk, post master general, is a Sunday school superintendent. The Sentinel having disposed ol "John William Browne" can now put on its coat and rest. Did you sneak around and buy the meanest valentine you could find and mail to somebody? The fact that Oklahoma land is mostly non-tax:;blo is sufficient reason for refusing her admission as a state at present. The course ol study in the med ical college of Missouri is to be ex tended to three years instead of two, after the present term. U. S. Marshal Yoes of Ft. Smith, has recently purchased a plantation on the Arkansas river, the consideration being 8-15,000. So MANY commercial orchards are being j lantcd in Missouri and Arkansas exclusively of Ben Davis apple trees that the supply of that variety is exhausted in the leading nurseries of the country. The Chieftain has reached thai point where it is willing the bal ance shall tulk about circulation and the affairs of each other. Per sonally we can find 'other topics to discuss which arc of far greater interest to the public. The president has submitted to congress a message asking that a special appropriation be made to put in effect the mine inspection law passed last session,,- This is done in answer to the petition of several hundred miners at Krebs. The average politician of the cneroKee nation is Having very little to say just at this time. A year hence he will begin to grow patriotic as the thoughts of an other distribution of the "loaves and fishes" begin to dawn upon him. Fkoji the Tahlequah Arrow we learn that five hundred pupils nre in attendance at the schools of that place. This is certainly something to be pround of, but the Cherokee government is spending enough money in that town to educate twice that number cverv year. The Cherokee delegation to Washington cost the nation 10,250 and the burden of their bu.-iness was to secure the ratification of the strip aeai. 1 Here are very grave j doubts in the munis ot many as to j the advisability of its being ratified The more it is investigated the more it smacks of a job. It has been decreed by managers of the world's fair there will be no "wild west" formance thowing the "bad" of Indian character. This the that will prevent the world from seeing a sham reenactment of the Wounded Knee massacre that would doubt less be gotten up by some enter prising manager. The man whose business inter feres with his religion either has an illegitimate business or the wrong kind of religion. Pure and unde filed religion never did nor never will interfere with the right kind of business, and the man who claims to have so much spiritual power that it unfits him for busi ness will bear watching. Statehood brought about in the right way that is in a way that would not rob the Indians of their lands but secure each one in the possession of his own would be a grand thing for the five tribes of this territory. But any change in the affairs of these people that would endanger our landed inter ests should be opposed. How long would this Cherokee government stand should the United States government with draw her protecting arm from about us? This is a question which each one should hsk him self in all sincerity and soberness. How long could we hold our own against that mighty influx ol boom ers and squatters? In all serious ness, the situation is growing des perate. Advices from Washington in dicate that the Strip treaty has been examined by the Indian of fice and been approved, ami for warded to the secretary of the in terior. It will be sent to the pres ident, and on Tuesday or Wednes day of this week was expected to be transmitted to congress for rat ification or rejection. It i more than likely that the fate of the deal will be fettled very soon. A CHANGE FOH THIS BETTER. The more observant of the peo ple of the Cherokee nation cannot fail to see that a great change has been wrought in the sentiment of this country within the'last few years. Not only has there been a change in the sentiment but a free dom of expression of opinion amongall classes of citizens.' There is probably no surer sign of ad vancement among a people than that scrupulous regard for personal liberty that only comes with ed ucation and refinement. The free expression of opinion has much to do with decisions of right and wrong, (iucntions that eflect the future welfare of a nation of peo ple should be discussed with the utmost freedom and no question should he too sacred for the consid eration of the people ut large. It is almost universally admitted that great and radical changes must come to the people of the Indian Territory in the not distant future, and it is very important that its citizens should thoroughly under stand tho true status of things in this country. Not many years ago the man that even hinted ut a change of our system of govtrn- ment was regarded by many as a traitor. But the schools have been going on in different portions of the country and the scores of young men and young women who have gone out from our institutions of learning from year to year have had a very salutary influence upon public opinion. This is undoubt edly as it should be. Intelligence and enlightenment havo always gone hand in hand with human liberty. The old moss-back prejudices are rapidly giving way to a procession of bright, educated young people of both sexes who have faith in themselves and whoso lives are before them, full of bright hopes of a grand and glori ous future. LOOKING TO STATEHOOD. Congressman Peel, of Arkansas, is the author of a bill introduced last Monday granting tho five tribes in this territory the right to meet at Muskogee one year from next August and form a state con stitution, and submit the same to the titty-third congress for their admittance into the union as a state upon an equal footing with others. When a constitution has been agreed upon, one delegate from each of the five nations shall be selected to submit the same to congress. One section of the bill provides for and sets forth a plan tirllot the lands. It also provides that if it be preferred, the territory of Oklahoma may be extended over this country, in which case property interests shall remain as they (the five tribes) may select Under this act as soon as the live tribes shall become a state or part of Oklahoma, each and all of them shall become citizens of the United States. It further provides that if said nations decline to avail them selves of the provisions of this act, they shall send one delegate to eongreVs who shall possess the same qualifications and powers and receive the same pay as other delegates from the territories of the United States. How long will the people of the Cherokee nation leave their homes subject to the action of council? We were told by the Downing party last summer that council could not sell land. But that very party made a stupendous effort to sell the Strip and they can sell the land east of 0tu if they wish and the people have no power to help themselves save through their guardian, the United States, to whom they have cried lustily to please not ratify the Strip sale that was so skillfully arranged with the Cherokee commission. This little episode has begotten a feeling among a good many citizens that the United States is a better friend to us after all than we are to our selves. Our delegation will .have to "bump" themselves or con gress will not ratify the Strip sale at all. If such should be the case those councilors who urged the ratification with so much gusto will have a vrv blowed-out feeling. Pkimkiis' Ink, one of the finest class or tiade papers ever issued, has been refused admission to the mails as second-class matter after havi ng enjoyed that privilege for five years, the chief grounds of the department being that many of its subscriptions have been paid for by other parties than those who receive the paper. "Instead of sub mitting to the imposition the pub lishers, Geo. P. Howell A Co., have prepared themselves for a vigor ous fight in hich they are sec onded by many of the most influ ential publications in the country. Mr. Wanamaker, and bis third as sistant, are learning some things atioiit what the people think of the postoHiee department which, but for this incident, they would never have dreamed of. Ji I'C.e Ci.ark, of Oklahoma, has de i led that improvements on the public lands are taxable. j Thkkk is noth'uu; more danger our than jumping at conclusions. For instance, tho Cherokee com missioners, and indeed nearly the whole of the council and senate, concluded that the United Mates wanted the Strip lands so bad that congress would make haste to ratify any agreement that might be made- whereby tho Cherokees would relinquish tho title to that country. Accordingly a full grown job was lugged into the trade, whereby certain "favorite sons" would get tho cream of that coveted land. But it now begins to look as though these prophets of Bad would have to be disappointed by the refusal of the government to ratify the treaty in its present form. The following very compli mentary notice of General Pleas ant Porter is going tho rounds of the naners: "Tho most noted member of the Creek nation is Gen eral Porter of Muskogee, I. T., who has represented his people at the national capital for many years He is a very picture of Indian manhood and vigor, for he id tall, straight and swarthy. His eye glis tens like an eagle's. His title of general arose from the skill with which he put an end to the three Creek insurrections in 1S72, 1870 and 1884." One important charac teristic of the gentleman is omit ted; General Porter is every inch a man. Commissioner Mokoan, of the Indian department, has approved tho agreement between the Cher okee commissioners and the Cher okees and sent with his approval to the secretary of the interior a legal opinion sustaining tho Cher okees in their views in regard to the title to the Strip. Mr. Morgan insists that the Cherokees have a bonifido title and not simply an easement title. While it is con sidered a little singular that the commissioner would volunteer his opinion in the matter, it is never theless true that it will have great weight in bringing about a speedy ratification of the treaty. The schedule time for cars on the proposed electric railway be tween Vienna and Buda-Pesth is expected to be seventy-five min utes for the entire distance of 150 miles. As planned, the road will have two main power stations, with BK) sub-stations, but only three or four stopping places. Each car will be about loO feet long, fitted with four trucks, and an electric moter at each end will receive cur rent through contact wheels run ning on conducting rails. The ends of the cars, to diminish air resistance, will be shaped like those of a ship. Texas stock growers held a con vention at Austin last week. The question of the breeding of cattle in Texas was discussed at some length. It was maintained that it was more important to raise good marketable steers that would find a ready sale anywhere than to make war on the "big four" or the railroads. The necessity of having good blooded stock and properly graded was urged upon stock raisers generally. In the opinion of many who ought to know there will be very little tax paid this season upon cattle imported into this country. The fact that some large owners did not pay anything last year, and that there are very grave dtllieuuies in the way ol an en forcement of the law in the matter, renders tho situation very un certain. LETTER FROM WASHINGTON. Mr. Baugh Declares for Speedy Allotment. Washington. D. C, Feb, 12, lr. Eihtoh Chieftain: I send you to-day Delegate Harvey's bill in the house of representatives, pro viding and looking to statehood for the territory of Oklahoma, and in that bill they provide for the five civilized tribes to be embraced therein. I don't think that the bill will ever pass congress in its present form, but it is now being discussed before the committee on territories. Delegate Boudinot made a speech before the commit tee yesterday which was far super ior to any that were made by gen. tlemen favoring the bill. As I said before, I do not believe this bill will pass congress, yet it shows us that the policy of people of the United States is to divest the In dians of all the rights they have been guaranteed to them under treaty stipulations, and it makes it verv plain and forcible to my mind that the sooner we allot our country the better it is for the Cherokee people. The agreement lor ttie Mnp lamia lias not yet been before congress but, as I un derstand, is at this time before the departments. Very truly, J. L. Baiuh. CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION . A Chance to Get Into the Gov ernment Service. Iot OIc,, Fl. Smith. Ark., Frb. 1J, A United States civil ervice ex amination will be held at Ft. Smith Ark., at the United 8tates court house and post office on Mirch'22, 1'.2, thinning at 9 a. ni , fur the departmental ervice, Washington, 1. C, and for the railway mail ervic, Xn pprnn can he examined who lia not pre viously filed an application on a blank which may bo obtained by writing to the United States civil service commission, Washington, 1). O. The applications, carefully and correctly executed, should bo forwarded to the commission in ample time to secure an admission card. A delay in filing tho appli cation may result in a failure to obtain an admission card in time to be examined. A pamphlet of instructions will accompany every application blank. In the south ern states and in the remote west ern states tho supply of applica tions for the railway mail service is not equal to the demand. James K. Hahnes, P. M. Sin. 15 Bedding, Ass't P.M. David Potts, Mems. Local B'd of Ex. REPORTS AGREED UPON. "We shall report enabling acts for the admission of New Mexico and Arizona to state-hood," said Mr. Mansur, of Missouri, who is one of the most energetic mem bers of congress. "That will dis pose of them so far as the com mittee is concerned. As for Utah, we shall report against statehood but in favor of autonomy. That is, we shall bring in a bill to let Utah elect Ikt own governor and other territorial officers by vote of the people, but she will not be allowed representation in the sen ate or house save as at present by delegate. Tho United States courts and laws will remain unchanged. The committee, I think, is pretty well agreed on this, but we will wait to hear a delegation w hich will be here in a few dav.'' "As to Oklahoma?" "We shall report against state hood. The question is not one of numbers of residents. It is some thing entirely different. Tho land in Oklahoma is non-taxable until the government title is extinguish, ed. Homesteads cannot be taxed until they have been released by the government to the settler. The land allotted to the Indians is non-taxable and inalienable. And let me tell you, the Indians are smart enough when it conies to picking good land. There is al most nothing in Oklahoma to form a basis of taxation on which to raise a revenue for state purposes, except city property, licenses, and the like. The people of Oklahoma realize the situUou, and outside of the politicians there is no senti ment for statehood because it is seen to be impracticable under present circumstances. Oklahoma will make the most rapid race of all tho territories for statehood, but she does not want to come in at this time for the reasons I have stated." THE CHEROKEE STRIP. While Delegate Havey of Okla homa is pressing before the House Committee on Territories his bill for the admission of the Indian Territory, including Oklahoma, as a state, there seems to be no pros pect of the early opening of the Cherokee strip to settlement. Tho commission authorized by the fifty first congress and appointed by the president to negotiate with tho Cherokee tribo for the strip finish ed its work and filed its report with the secretary of the interior several weeks ago, and the people were hopeful that the president would submit it to congress at once that it might be considered early in the session and the necessary legislation enacted so that settlers might take possession of the new lands in time for spring planting. Anticipating an early message from the president, the house committee, has already formulated a bill providing for the opening and settlement of the new country. The bill is so perfect in every de tail and the members of the house and senate have become so famil iar with the necessities of the case by reason of former experience and legislation in opening Oklahoma anil olhei Indian lauds that it could be promptly aeted upon under a suspension of the rules and sent to the president for his sin- nature in ample time for the neces sary surveys to he made before planting time. But notwithstand- I ing this indu-trv on the part of the committees and the interest of the people on the subject, it is unoffi daily reported that the president w ill not submit the treaty to con gress for several weeks and that settlers need not expect to enter tho strip until the summer season. No reason is given for this delay, and, in fact, no reason can be giv en. The duties of the President are simply ministerial. Congress directed him to appoint a commis sion to negotiate a treaty. The comm ission was appointed. It has pe rfurmed its duties and re ported , and the executive's action in with holding the treaty is aibit rary and unwarranted. Th presi dent will have the right to exer cise the veto power when a bill shall have been passed by congress, but until then his only duty is to lay beforo congress the treaty and all other information on the" sub ject that an act may be passed in accordance witti the known wishes of the people. Any action or non action that shall delay opening the .mp oeyomi me planting season will leave room for tho suspicion that it is intended to give the cat tle barons, w ho have so lontr en joyed the free pasturage of these lands, another season's u.e of them. Kansas City Star. TO THK PCBI.IC. I hT hrrn trnnblr-t with mr t for oro tlm. at ttmHi I rui! tiiirrllr . Kb rfbriurT tin, I ral Ir.l nn lr ISnrrh.lha T'. 'rn. raturti n. (...,!, I Irel likrlnrw ,n-nrt l--t tht I have a bw airuf na I ran thtilortor to all lio havt. anrr -. J.ll Dim. Hulahio. i. T Watch -es will ct (tirtv and ont of repair. Thft '.'look top hecaue of an 1 1 vs t accident. laU"'rJ' p,',s ''I' lT' d upon and W. C. WEIGHT ha mployed an experienced Watchmaker and Jewler and guarantees satisfaction. im 1 wi rimiif IU1W nua 'I ' li' I 1 1 i - - - WWW. P nnninmnnT uunmuiLi 1UU I1U1U1. Feed and Produce Exchange, All U nil IMIIUO Ul IUUIIU CALL AT THE NEW ROCK STORE. A. FOYIL, Foyil, Ind. Ter. KEEPS A FULL GENERAL e STOCK OF 9 GOODS CONSTVNTr.Y ON HAND. EMBRACES IN PA UT Wagons and Farm Implements, Bedsteads, Trun dle Beds, Cupboards, Safes, Rocking Chairs, Cook Stoves, Fine Stetson Hats, Ladies' Hats, a Large Stock of Fine Cloth ing, Overalls, etc. Saddles, Harness, Glass and Quensware. Tries to keep what the People Need. ,,rs A.T CUIOUTKA.U, Has a Full and Complete Stock .'. of .. GENERAL MERCHANDISE! N INCLUDING j5i2 Boots, Shoes, Clothing, Hardware, Furniture, Lumber, Sash, Doors, Lime. Etc. With reduced rates since the fire, and expen ses of handling the business reduced, and selling for spot cash, I am willing and can afford to sell good much lower than ever before. I respectfully ask a trial and inspection of goods and prices. C. HAYDBN, Chouteau, I. T. DOWN GO FRiCES ! Henderson k Buffington, AFTON, IND. TER., Have bought two stocks of goods for about half their value and are selling them proportionately low. Are a necessity land. To procure them Fresh, with Safety and at a Fair Price is important. foreman's Prescriptions Carefully Tilled. BUSH'S PHARMACY, Chetopa, - - Kansas, Finest Dmg Emporium in Southern Kansas. DRUGS! DRUGS! All prvKMipiiim filled ty an exerienee.l pharmacist, receive prompt ut'.ention. Kaclcy Mock, Mr!o St,, PATEN1 OR NO FEE A 4"- htp tnwk free. AMrc W.T.FITZGERALD. Att-t-I. t, Cur Mh u 1 V Mt. AftMafftea, . A NEW HERD STARTED. j Turn in your Kt -ck ami we will hunt J it at t I venr, in hi aon an I out ci season, lieel tliea or ircen heads. T. E. SMITH, Ienpah, I. T. Kane t twecn 11 i g creek an. I Verilina. I. rllt a Ieft ear grubbed. 22 r r mm 1 ff if I I kl 1 1 . - " . , 1 Bought I lUUUbD and Sold. in every Household in the m NIIU Pharmacy, formerly Patton & Co's., Meets all these Points to tine Letter. Mail orJors will (Juno 4 fun) CHETOPA, KAS. ff SOLID Through Trains From Kansas City to Chicago, Oniaiia, Lincoln, St. Joseph, Denver, St. Paul a Minneapolis. Pullman Palace Sleeping Car. Free Reclining Chair Cars. Only One Change of Cars to Tha Atlantic or Pacific Coasts THE BEST LINE FOR Nebraska, Colorado, The Black Hills. AND ALL POINTS NORTH, EAST and WEST. tentral Fe. Agent. tt. Lcuia, Mo. yfiy Our January IS NOW IN , ff, -Wv .. TO MAKE ROOM FOR Q SDPIRIIsrGr. STOCK Special Inducements IN I MEN'S.' B CLOTHING Finest Line of BOOTS and SHOES ever brought to Vinita now open J. S. TIIOMASON Succese'or to Chouteau it Thornason. EAST ROOM OF PATTON' BUILDING. (iNCO'0Tf.O ) LIVE STOCK COHHISSiO!! HnCHA!17S KANSAS CITY STOCK YARDS CONSIGNMENTS 50LICITE0- Attention! Stockmen and Farmers. I Have Stock Sail fl' Boots and Shoes MADE TO ORDER. Cow Boy Boots a Specialty. - All .11 ni I OrilerN Herri ve Prompt A I lent ion. NO TROUBLE TO SHOW GOODS. Your nespeetlully, LEE BARRETT, Vinita. M. L. & V. M. CAMPBELL, GEM - DRUG - STORE." Seneca, -:- Missouri. CAKKY THK FINEST LINE OF DRUGS, PAINTS, OILS, WALL PAPER, ETC., In Soul li west M isNouri. Scii.l them an onler for anytliiiit: in the. Hl'ove line h ii. I it will reivive prompt ntleutinii. t'rescri pliuim l aii'lullv rilled with purest. lriik!4. 040 WEST SIDU OHEROKE3 AVENUE, SENECA, MISSOURI. LUMBER, At Vinita, Ind. Ter. A oc niplete Mock of l!ui!(ler' Material, Cement, Lime. Lath, Doors, indows, MouMin, Mixe.l I'aihN. Wall Paper, Etc. Yellow Pins Fi.iishi.ng Lumber Cypress Shingles a Specialty PRICES FURNISHED ON APPLICATION. Terms: CASH. "W L. TROTT. ADAIR, INDIAN TCiVY. Donlor 1 XL Dry Goois, Groceries, Provisions and Hardware. AN IMMENSE STOCK IS ALWAYS CARRIED. H'ill mako It an object for the people of the aurroundlii country to purchas tho upi.Hc thut they tnay dJ at our al ro. (.f . , seen:; rvr patct k . jX ' ' "r ',f LiJ;;,;.:;4....v';rr, . . ' ... - ' Clearing Sale FULL BLAST. Wo will sell all good at a large discount; a Full and Complete Liu of s n Mi II Ul iXUMMl Harness and all groods round in a First-Class Harness Shop ! With I'rli os to Milt tlit Times. I employ noni) but thorough workmen using trie Iti'f-t of material ami guarantee all goods as first-cUss in every respect. V LIS - fVFictly dt i . a t r t , ' " r K ' f - - ? -P0PP3- LUMBER