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--, j -jrl , te?M :. y . '.' Good roads make a good townj. (giflHifljTi n ,,,,, ' c F m Srl v . in trVil V I :i rt r ' tr a. X w S& I "j fto 1 Indian Chieftain. OBBOrUPTION PRICK. I.SvO Pm Yar. or ,1.00 If Paid In AdVMhoa. 2 , FaktlifetdThamtri by ' Obmctai FwuMtiiia CorT, - s M. MAKKM. KdlUir And rnbllafier Vijiita, I. T., Dkj. 11, 1002. T he e'ar ol elhpl f tatehnod flaming bright npntn if ' It Ir i rhUrily -Meet not to refer (lo'jt't roniii.iin oi tlie rot.u'a when talking Ufa ciiintryman. , jTho aetelnn til the Claremote rtngls statehood convention nap bort but wry much to the point The members of the national ,i council hie very busy drawing Otherwise de beir per dltme. onent eajitb i ot. LTbe Sallies w Star has about con . J . luded that it was not so bad to e'toal that (120.0CO from tbe Cherokee-people, after all. , T 'President Roosevelt, in his talk on trusts, ruipht have eaid that Unite, likt-Indiane, aro only good Undtr terlain cnqdilinne. Tho statehood situation will not bb complete until the Inlrodco'.ion of another "JeUus-llnger-a little-longer"- bill by P. Lelnnd Soper. Thrre. are an unusual number of territory n publicans in Washing ton Bfu lby are eingii g in uni Bon, "all colore look alike to me." Secretary Hitchcock evidently baa a new edition of rules which be desires to iifllct upon tbe terrl tory before bis euthoiity is abro gated, The presidents tneseago ia re ferred to by tbe republican press aa a "sane messago." Tbo logical inferenco 1b that it might have been otherwise. Mr, Dooley defines a fanatio as "a man who does what be thinks the Lord wud do it He knew the facte Iv tbe case." The South McAIeater Capital's report of the sit gin statehood con venlion at Clarrmore h nbnut the tilllest thing seen in puhl'O prim in many a dv. Whin Sfcretury Hitchcock turned Bub Owen down in the matter of thu collection of tin- $4, 000,000 Cherokee claim he did ai leabl one good thine Tbe republicans oi Oklahoma are conidrring calling a conven tion, to go on record as t3 what they want in the governmental line. Tbo resolutions no doubt could be condensed In one word 'Pie., Ous Ivey baB assumed editorial responsibility for tbe Sallisaw Star and starts oQ ae windy as ever Tbe bump of self esteem is abnor mally developed in Ivey'a cranl um. Secretary Hitchcock's attitude toward the Indian Territory is ap proved by tvery carpet bagger and political henchman, and con dpmned by all those upon whom tbe development ol the territory will depend. It is a question wnutner any fee or per cent should be allowed for the collection of the four million dollar Cherokee claim, Tbe gov ernmunt of tbe United StatcB ac knowledges tbe indebtedness and ought to pay it without tbe cost oi an attorney. Ii tbe bill reported by the Ben- ate committee on territories blocks the way of Oklahoma to eeparat statehood it will have rendered tbe Indian Territory a most valu able service, even though it never becomes operative, Witbln a lew days tbe first ol tbe new year will be here and it should behove every busiuesB man and In faot every individual, to be gin to straighten up accounts. It is always well to begin the new year with a clean settlement. Collect all that Is due and pay what you owe and thus get an even start. Tbe proposition contained in tbe Nelson single etatebood bill to take the ICtb and 32ud sections ol the five tribes for school lands is not well considered, and is scarce- . ly possible under existing land terms. ' Tbe government would . necessarily have to purchase the Ah md in question as It is tbe prop f arty pf the Indians. But tbe land is not for sale, in tbe Cherok e Nation, at leas, and tbe Indians could not afford to part with it, on account of the small prorata shares tbey have left. Tbat 'portion oi tho measure may as wel) be atrlck? n out, : The National Indian Association will bold I's arnual meeting in Washington City Wednnday, Thursday andFrdtj o'tbfs week, There will tie wbiui 1U0 delegates. Mrs. Roofevelt nil) give aiocep tion to Ihcoi IbtiMlay Comuals. .nn.- nf Imlluii All Im .Innrh will rinri ".- I address the culi HK during the MAONIFY 1HE SCHOOLS. The action of tho Cherokee council in increasing the number of pnblio schools and of ralsine the salaries of members of tbo board of education Is to the com mended by evirv ohe whohas the good of the Cherokee people a heart. 1 he schools are about all tho'ChefOkees have left that is worth preservation and the more of their scatily treasure they can spend upon their children in the Way of an education the better, A peoplf, who in their dying hour as a separate nationality seek to place posterity in a position to cope nilh tbe unequal conditions that confront Hum in tho struggle Incident to absorption into a dom inant race are worthy ol tbe high est praise. The Chieftain does not share in tho too common bo lief that only evil can come of in creased salary and largo oppiopri allbns by the Cherokee council. The most important functionary we have left Is the board of educa tion, and as present constituted is worthy ofernn trust and confid ence. The CbtrokeeB have quite a large scV o fund, large compared with tholr other interests, and it all the funds of the tribe could bo turned into the mcaoa of education ol the young children of the tribe, it would be n fine thine. In the few remaining years ot Cherokee tribal existence they should mng nlfy their rohool facilities and make a last tfkrt to equip 'their children for the new conditions as well as i ossible. IS NOT ILLITERACY. We aro repea'edly told that tbe Indian territory is low in tbe scale ot illiteracy, and tbat without schools it is in a bad way and therefore not entitled to the privi lege ol statehood. From the pub lished reports of illiteracy in the various states it appears tbat the Indian territory without schools makes about as good a showing in point oi general intelligence as many of the states and as either New Mexico, Arzona or Okla homa. II this territory without schools has as few people who cannot read and nrite as terri tories and states which have .bad chools for half a century what would it be milt teltled govern ment and an iflii'ient school S)b (em in reach of ul ? The gii'g nl tun en Mer-it-re rclin art fijlhniit statehund nd who clntm that the territory lite au idtal government under carpet bag rule have spread the report that the people of tbe Indian ten it i ry are hopelessly and viciously ignorant. DONE UNDERCOVER. Au ixcbange takes tbe Chief tcui to task (or its criticism of tbe Sooretay o' tlm luterior with re ferine? In the m nroval of the oil lease at Barlltsville. Tbe Cbero keea were led to believe tbat il tbey would ratify the agreement pending and voted on on tbe 7ib day of Auzust that no leases would be approved. The ap proval of this lease was postponed until the day of tbe election for tbe ratification or rejection of tbe treaty. It might have been ap proved earlier, and it could not have been approved later on ac count of provisions of tbe agree ment. A cabinet officer certainly ought to have tbe vir'ue of frank- oess in dealing with a defenseless Indian tribe. As this lease bad not been approysd up to the time of tbe election it was fair for the Cberokeea to assume tbat it would uot be approved at all, Tbo agreement would no doubt have been overwhelmly defeated as was its predecessor, had tbe facts been known in time. A lease wbb thus surrepticiously secured that was without doubt illegal and without standing in law. Now that the council has pro vided tbe Cberokeea with a com. mission to negotiate a eupple mental treaty it would be well for tbe Cberokeea to determine what should go Into it. A supplemental treaty ia supposed to be for tbe purpose of dealing with business left unfinished by the treaty rati fied last summer, and under which tbe Dawes commission is now get ting ready to allot tbe land, Tbe Tbe time for such a treaty has not fully arrived as there are many thlngB tbat will ebow themselves t3 be proper subjects for suoh a fealy, as tbe work progresses, Tbe finishing up ol tbe business with the least loss to the Cberokees should be the aim of the commit tee or delegation recently created. When their work is finished Ibere should be nothing left to treat about. Old Morgan is charged with' hav ing caused the appointment of tbe Dawes Commission. This is a ,eerlou8 offense if true, and should be investigated. Tbe serpent's trail seems to be over nearly every leading man in tbe Cherokee na tion. caaKKauasKis One of tbe arguments used by Oklabomi people agiinst einule statehood is that Oklahoma would gain nothlqg by suob a union but would be compelled to share their school Ian Is with section of 'be country ttiit h; ntf such assets. The dominant issue In congress at this time is statehood for In dian territory and Oklahoma It is said that Senator Beveridge aspires to the presidency, and hie frionds point with pride to bis reo ord as a town boomer InKaneas and a book agent in the middle west as proof of his strenuous cspablll- tlOB. Tbtre is ctrtainly the element of doubt in the minds of Territory people as to whether any govern nient official with a good eala'ry really wants statehood, or nhelher existing conditions are not about right, Tbe constitutional eestlon of tha Cherokee legislation has about ex- pired by limitation and there cer- talnly does not appear to be a ne ceesity for an extra session. A sigh ol relief will go up from the Cherokee people when the council adjourns, Tho South McAluter Capital is strenuously supporting Oklaho- 'a minims for statehood, and is equally vigorous in Its eflorts to tack a territorial iuoubus on the Indian Territory. Tbe dome of a capilol building ia on the horizon oi the Capital's vision. Every other politician In the Territory expects to go to Con gress, end every other one expeots something else in the pie line, tvhethcr it be dished up at a lenl torial or stnto counter. T he great mass of cit ztns expect that some of these txpt-otations will end in bitter disappointment. Walter Willlanis, the esthetic editor ol tho Columbia, Missouri, Herald, In an address at n press meeting a few days ogo, asserted that the ideal editor of tbe future would be a gentleman. The aver age Indian Territory editor will insist that tbe ideal has already been reached ' Tbe egltation with reference to statehood with Oklahoma will con tinue until it is accomplished. It may be during the present session nf Congrets, or it may be delayed for someyears. It would,undoubt elly, be fur the best interest ol b th territories for the question o he d fit Hi'ly fettled at in early lay. A1 li'i'c ap rtrti hnml ie d " eit it w.ll hr an nHuiUwni m iit nay it urn-tinted progier The frietiilH ol fixed and tangible povormrett in these territories ought to oouie to a mutual under standing and woik together for the common end spught. etv,t'Vv4,tv'VVvvvi 5 9 Peopl Drug' tStore. Holiday Presents. The goods we nicest to be found. v ! Our Holiday Line Consists of the following: Albums, Toilet Sets, Fine Mirrors, Medalions, Qold Spccticles, Smoking Sets, Mer schaum and Briar Pipes, Dolls, Fancy Clocks, Fine Perfumery and Soaps, Pocket Books, etc., etc. . Make us a visit. t People's """3 Drug' $1;cre L,vv'-'Vvktv'iV Tbere Is BOino consolation at least in the knowledge that the roads around Vinlla are no worse than elsowhero throughout this country, It is not believed that the lour coonjIiB which the land office will be located in Vintia will be suffi cient lima for all the citizens' in the northern and western portions of tbe nation to file on their allot ments. The chances are tbat there will be little change in the grades cf land in tbo Cherokee Nation. The same men tbat graded It in tbe first instance are doing tbe work agntu and will be apt to sustain their own work. In the death ot ex-Speaker Reed tho country at largo loses ono of its too few really great men. Hie iron rule in tbe House ot Repre seniatlvee earned him tho lasting eubrequet ol "Czar," but all politi cal parties were forced to admit tho Read rule was right. There is a certain class of Ok lahoma politicians who are con stantly prating about "our school lands" and are oppoBedtotbepeo pie of tbe Indian territory sharing in the benefits of statehood for fear that tbey will get some of the bent fit of this school land. What are the facts with reference to this poliool land. The United States government refused to allow tbe IndianB of the Indian territory to sell it at 82.50 an acre, but erbi trarily took it from them and gave it finally to tbe Oklahoma people without money and without price. The people of the Indian territory should be allowed a share in this public larld and the lines ol one state around both territories would aocotnplish it. For stock Thieves. Congressman Curtis has secured the passage by the House of his bill, Introduced and favorably re ported at the last session, fixing tho punisbmont for the larceny ol live stock in tbe Indian Territory. Under the old law there was no minimum penalty was fixed at fifteen years iu tho penitentiary. The records show that the maxi mum penally was given in most i f the, oases tried in the Indian Ter riory oittrta, and the "at Ornpy ffrerat reoniinerided the psssag of a Ii W m-'kn g tho punUtneut lor l.trcny of It ii ohc'rHCter not lees than five n.. more than Oltsm years. This provision was in eluded in tbe Curtis bill, wblcb passed the House this week, have in this line are the r t NOTHING will come in handier for a Christmas present than a pair of member of the family will appreciate 'them and ydur your money will almost any other way. to please any recipient, ft WVl Men's Patent Leather Extension Sole -5v r i 1 Your own feet will appreciate a Christmas present of a pair of our Nobby Dress Shoes. Tljey'rc the proper thing. A good stout sole under your feet this time of year saves Doctors' bills. j JlMlfHjtlU VVVVVVVVVVyVVtiVVVVVVVVVVVVt'VVVaVVVVVVVVV 51 Babgettanfcers flbercantile Company. AL. 'i :ou ro -. no tf tpiX, , 1 1 .fJ- '".'in t a P .-n v4 V v 4-.SW- , . ar,.. - t ' TWI :fBa&gett&an6er6 fcetcantite Company. m Our fine shoes are pretty enough to grace any Christmas tree; good enough and durable enough to keep W$ Hies' $1.50 to $2.00 Ladies' Patent Vice Rid Shoes at $3.50 , ...; :; Ljf 9 ! jkJm -. .. 1.00to$L50 ' $3.50 I ! i- f 1 Are You Going' to Buy a CHRISTMAS PRESENT for Anybody? IF you are it will pay you to look through our stores and see the many useful articles we arc showing suitable for Holiday presents. For the Ladies we are showing a handsome line of Furs. What is more useful or appropriate for a Christmas present? Our line of Handkerchiefs in lace and embroidered goods is the best we have ever shown. Prices right. Chatelaines and Wrist Bags in cut steel and fancy leathers make nice presents. We have a fine line. IN OUR CLOTHING DEPARTMENT we are showikg a fine line of Neckwear in all the new popular shapes and coiorings. We have a handsome lot of mufflers in the different styles that make nice presents for the Gentlemen. For men and boy's our Glove stock is large and well assorted. Prices right. IN OUR GROCERY DEPARTMENT we are showing a fine Mine of Candies, Fruits and Nuts, Let us put up a package for the little ones. There is nothing they appreciate more. . ' Ivmf the doner pleasantly in mind for months to Fur Top Juliet wl m . .ma 4 Zm . & - - , V. mr full dress shoes. Any full be better spent than in come. i Slip!p ers i r k .. 1 vShoes at i; f i 'A a .. ft ''iAl tTSyt,-" .S,V'Vi