The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-05-26
For the Pioneer.
The Community System-..CO

They are common stock they have no owners, and
each one Kills what he can In this way he grows
up with very loose ideas Of the rights Of property.
If his uncle his brother has two horses and does
yield to his wishes in giving him one, it is no
difficult TO shoot stab the horse, than to Kill
any other animal. The feeling that a man has
right to whatever he sees, and lay his hands on,
grows, in too many instances, with Indians
growth. And this feeling is one Of the outlines of
the common property system.
1t is true, that bestowing labor upon thing is
knowledged as giving one right TO that thing
Bat the sacredness Of that right less regarded, in
consequence OF the many things which are held in
common, and divided out as occasion requires
This country has not been the subject of individual
ownership. To this they have all laid claim, and
consequently, if white man cut stick Of timber
this land, he has had many claimants to satisfy,
that it has been very hurdensome. In most instances
the Of a village have collected together and gone
in company, many Of them armed, to make
demand for wood grass water, which, if paid
for at the highest market price, would not Yield
than picayune or two to each individual. Bot for
day. besides having bad the matter under discussion
for days and aights previous. trader too must be
danced to for few dozen plugs of tobacco, or small
quantity of powder. In such the property re-
ceived Is common, and must be divided. 1t may be
considerable for individual 10 give, but not much
for many to receive. 1t is oppression the givers,
and affords but little relief to the receivers. The ag-
gregate amount OF time spent in this way very
siderable, which if employed in any kind Of labor
would BE- much more productive. 1t is true, an In
dams time is ordinarily not worth much, but it could
be more profabiy employed in making wooden spoons,
than in dancing the begging dance. The necessary
attendance required, by the property system,
encourages idleness. One is not counted if he is not
present at division, and consequently he receives
no share. Hence the necessity Of punctual attend
ance, which prevents a man form hunting fishing
or engaging IN other remunerative labor.
But idleness or laziness not the only evils pro-
duced and fostcrcd by this community system. The
division made is seldom satisfactory. The laws reg
uiatus the shares in the chase do not apply here.
Any one witnessing such transactions will not fail
perceive thai the Indians always very correct
distributors. Sometimes there is not enough to 60
around the circle. At other times there is manifest
partiality shown by those appointed to make the d.
vision. Hard feelings ana hard speeches are the
result, which often only find satisfaction in killing a
horse destroying some other Kind OF property.
The question which wish to propose, in view Of
what has been said in regard to the common property
system, is this, viz: SHOULD THE ANNUIIIEs,
PAID TO THE DAKoTAs BY GoyERNMLNT, BE
DISTRIBUTED IN ANY SUCH WAY AS TO EN-
COURAGE SUCH A SYSTEM! ] dare say there are
some seeming reasons far we'll against the ques-
ton. lst The turning of twenty barrels Of
dou, aud pile of blankets, etc., to the chief and
head men of band, is very pleasing to them. To
have these things to distribute somew hat increases
their se!l-esteem well the importance in which
they are held ty their neighbors. 1t also adds to
their power. Whether this is for good or evil will
appear hereafter. 2nd. 1t is supposed to be much
easier for the Agent and others concerned, to make
the distribution in this way. There fewer per-
sons held responsible and fewer signatures to receipts
required. And what can be done easiest and cheap
est is done, regardless of consequence the Indians
But the other hand there are abundant reasons
why alt dstvibi,ns ,uld BE mqde t. .4ir4l,szl hods
Of )alies 1st. RS eoneatty rcctcaJle 70 distribute
clothing, dc., according t. ae money plyr5N
The pas roll made at Traverse dies Sioux in Novem-
Der last, necessarily, under the circumstances.
have been mpcrfcct* But take it for granted that
Of another payment, although it should require labor
and pains. This being done, it will no; be very
difficult undertaking to apporton on paper each
amount to be divided according to this register
And then the portion Of every family re-
main at a certain place for aim or them, with re-
sponsbe person. until called for by the proper claim
ant. | am informed that this is the system pun sued,
by those intrusted with annues in clothing, etc. to
be paid Indians in the British Provinces. II OPP
crates well there. Why could it not be adopted
here!
2nd. uoud prercnt injustice to a great crent, Jy
securing equal distribution. This, trust, is
apparent from what has been already said.
3d. IL u1tid iwerenf nsost Of the difficulties jdreea
aiiyiduais, qriying from, The distribution, mode BY
he hd.aas Memseioes. How many difficulties have
arisen among the lower bands, at every distribution
IF horses. And how many of those noble animals
nave been killed in few months after being distrib-
Ited! While horses can he given only to few, they
should not be- distributed Indians as part of their
,nnuities Let them buy them.
4th. r9std 1t rele,e the minds of the Indians
from jea2tsy and tsarof each otter, respect to the
hings to be dimIed. They know each other very
WE'LL Most of them always planning, how they
get into their own hands the greatest amount o.
his common property. Hence they are all suspicious
If each other. If twenty-five barrels Of flour are
deposited at any given point, for certain band, by
ar the largest part Of it is liable to be eaten by
ew families. I speak advsedly this point
Very uniustiGabIc means resorted to for making
he number contained in the division small as pos
ibe, that the quotient may be increased. am cred
bly, informed that at some of the lower villages IL
las for years, seemed be settled plan, to divide
,ut pork aud flour the Sabbath, that thereby few
women, who remembered the Sabbath day, might not