CHIEF MAYES' MESSAGE.
     Full Text of the Document to the Cherokee Council.
           He Deal In Generalities and Leaves the Situation
           With Council to Ponder Over.
Special Report to The Post - Tahlequah, Nov 3.
     Chief Mayes' last message, delivered here yesterday, was quite a disappointment to those who heard it. Everybody expected him to suggest some way out of the impending difficulties, but he leaves the trouble with Council and bows himself out as follows:
     To The National Council: - Gentlemen: - You, the representatives of the Cherokee people, have again assembled in regular session, and it becomes my constitutional duty to submit to you such recommendations as, in my jugdement, will best subserve the welfare of our people. Since last you met in regular session, death has invaded the ranks of our public servants and esteemed citizens. From your midst we miss Hon. Samuel Smith, ex-president of the Senate, a man of lofty ambition and undoubted integrity; ex-councillors John R Gourd of Cooweescoowee District, William Batt of Saline District, and Charles Bart of Illinois District. Among others of our reputable patriotic officers and citizens who have been called to peaceful rest, we note ex-Senators S E Gray, Charles Starr and Jesse Sunday and Dave Ridge.
     All of these were faithful public servants and many of them filled offices of honor and trust in various capacities for a number of years. We should all feel grateful and render thanks to the Ruler of the universe for the bountiful crops which have blessed the county and the peace and happiness which have prevailed among our people.
     You have been recently elected fresh from our people and should better understand their needs and wants that I do, and it is your privilege to enact into Law such legislation as in your judgement as will best subserve their interests; hence I kindly invite your friendly cooperation and advice as to the needs of the various sections of our country.
     EDUCATION: Our educational institutions have always since the foundation of our government been a source of great pride to our people, and annually they have appropriated liberal sums for the maintainance of our public and high school.
     Last year I took occasion to carefully investigate the amount of money that came into the Treasury for the benefit of the school fund showing the sources from whence it was derived and manner expended, and amount on hand, and made some recommendations which I thought was necessary for its protection. The report of the treasurer herewith submitted, shows that there was on hand last year, belonging to the school funds the sum of $6,253.25, that there was on hand September 30, 1897, the time of making his Report, the sum of $105.76. That for school purposes there was received from all sources the total amount of $69,283.69, less $6,253.25 which was on hand. During the last regular session of the National Council twenty-four new primary schools were authorized, established and the number of school months diminished from nine to seven. This will not materially change the expenses of running the schools. I recommend, therefore, that you carefully consider the report of the Treasurer of the Cherokee nation, together with the detailed report of the Board of Education, and make your appropriations for the educational interests of the country, so that they will not exceed the annuities and income for
     Page 1 Column 2
scholastic purposes, so that the warrants drawn against that fund will not be depreciated. Special attention in the report of the Board of Education is called to that part in reference to the Colored High School, which shows that it is in a much better condition than heretofore. The prosperity of the schools is not only due to the superior management but also partially to the fact that a number of students are permitted to attend the institution free. My attention has been called to the fact that there is no institution for the homeless Colored children of our country and I recommend the primary students of this institution be taken from that class of the Colored children.
     ORPHAN ASYLUM: The report of the Treasurer shows that there was received on account of the Orphan fund the sum of $19,043.93 from the Secretary of the Interior. Added to this was a balance on hand of $26,753.18. There was disbursed $24,467.47 during the year the amount of $5,423.54 in excess of the annuity. The report of the Board of Education called attention to the isolated position of this institution and to the fact that the requisition to close superintendence cannot be given it as this charitable institution deserves. I think that the institution could be more economically managed if a special board were created and competent men appointed to live in the immediate neighborhood, who would then be able to give the institution their immediate superintendance. I also take occasion to renew my recommendation of last year, that the Board of Education be not authorized to draw requisition in excess of the annuity. This is a standing appropriation made on November 29, 1871, and it is left at the discretion of the Board of Education to draw any amount at any time.
     REVENUE: No general legislation was enacted during the past year with reference to the better collection of our revenue. The happiness, you might say, the life of a nation like that of a family depends upon its finances. Hence, your particular attention is called to the annual report of the Auditor submitted herewith.
     It shows that during the past fiscal year there were issued $85,682.65 in National certificates by the clerks of the several districts, that there was received of the several districts the sum of $5,823.65 and the total amount of all revenue received from all sources, including that reported to the Treasurer of the Board of graduation <should probably be Education> was $25,660.85. The small amount of revenue reported must either be from the want of proper revenue laws or the lax enforcement of those already in force. But I am very sincere in the opinion that if you had one Revenue Collector whose duty it was to see to the collection and enforcement of our revenue laws, that a much larger sum of money would find its way into our Treasury.
     CENSUS: The Nation Council had under an act approved July 28, 1897, provided for the appointment of two attorneys to represent the Cherokee Nation in a revision of the census to be made by the United States commission. The act of congress of the date of June 7, 1897, provided for the confirmation of certain rolls of citizens of the Cherokee Nation and for the Cherokee Nation to contest the right of citizenship of all persons found on any roll subsequent to that made in 1880, for a period of six months from the passage of the act. The attorney appointed under that act are busily engaged in this work and the time for the completion of their labor will not be until December 7th, hence no report of the work has as yet been made.
     MILITARY RESERVATION: Several days ago a telegram was received from the Commission of Indian Affairs at Washington, D.C. <continued on page 8>

THE CHEROKEE COUNCIL.
     Both Houses Organized and Ready for Business.
           A List of the Officers Named and the Several Positions
           to be Filled. Other Tahlequah Notes.
Special Report to The Post - Tahlequah, Nov 3 -
     Both branches of the Cherokee Council have organized and are ready for business as soon as the chief delivers his message. The message will be read this afternoon, from the old weather-beaten speaker's stand in the capitol square, beginning at 2:00 o'clock.
     The senate branch met with a quorum Monday at 9 o'clock and organized by electing the following officers:
     President of the Senate - Wolf Coon of Goingsnake District
Clerk - R M Wolfe, of Goingsnake
Assistant Clerk - John C Duncan of Cooweescoowee
Interpreter - Tom Downing of Canadian
Assistant Interpreter - William Eubanks of Tahlequah
The lower house organized Monday at 2 o'clock by electing the following officers:
Speaker of the council - John R McIntosh of Coosweecoosee
Clerk - W W Ross, Jr of Tahlequah
Assistant Clerk - Louis Ice of Flint
Interpreter - Sam Russell of Delaware
Assistant Interpreter - Jas Horsefly of Coosweecoosee
     Tahlequah presents a lively appearance. The largest attendance upon council known for years is here. There is an unusually large number of strangers present. Citizenship claimants, however, are conspicuous only by their total absence. Not a single one has so far made himself known.
     There are several good positions to be filled, and the good men who desire to serve their country are numerous. There are from four to ten aspirants for every position, and the candidates and their friends are doing some hard wire-pulling. These positions sought so industriously by so many "good men" are to be filled by nomination by the chief and confirmation by joint ballot of the two houses of council. It is not probable that this election will come off for several days - perhaps a week - and as the Nations have a majority on joint ballot, Downing men are not "in it." However, as Chief Mayes is a Downing man he may be able to work in a Downing man or two on a compromise sending in suitable nominations. The positions to be filled are:
Supreme Judge, vice Jesse Cochran, time expired
Member Board of Education, vice Connell Rogers, time expired
Editior Cherokee Advocate, vice Waddie Hudson, time expired
Steward Orphan Asylum, vice Wallace Ross, time expired
Steward Male Seminary, vice R K Adair, time expired
Steward Female Seminary, vice J M French, time expired
Auditor, vice John C Dannenberg, time expired
Medical Superintendent Seminaries and Insane Asylum, vice Dr C M Ross, time expired
     Council is not expected to do much legislative work until after these positions are filled, and at this time it is hard to predict what will even then be attempted. Many are of the opinion that much time will be devoted to a discussion of the proposed "Indian Statehood" idea, suggested by Chief Esparchecher of the Creek nation in his recent message to the Creek council. Nearly all of the half-breed members seem to favor the plan, but no expression can be had from the fullbloods. It is thought doubtful that the latter will take to the idea, but will persist in doing nothing in the direction except to hold on to what the treaties give them until the treaties are broken or abrogated by Congress.
     Later on in the session the proposition of the U.S. government to reestablish a large government post at Fort Gibson will be take up and
Page 1, Column 4
pushed by those members of council who are looking to the best interest of the Cherokee nation. It is currently rumored that the idea of the government is to get the consent of the Cherokees to establishment of a forty or fifty company post at Fort Gibson, about one mile north of the old barricks, where millions of dollars will be expended in the erection of new buildings. It is further stated that Jefferson barricks near St. Louis will be removed there, as well as several other minor western posts. The reason for this is owing to the splendid and beautiful location to be gained at Fort Gibson. If the Cherokees want to secure the largest and wealthiest city in Indian Territory they will not allow their prejudice to defeat this gigantic plan, which, if given a chance, the Federal government will carry out. No intelligent member of the Cherokee council can consistantly object to allowing so enormous an enterprise being established in their nation, which will undoubtedly place them far in advance of any of the Give Tribes. It's a grand scheme for the Cherokees. Will they reject it? is the question.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]