The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-08-21
1mAiam Affair

buot8o AB8sFS
) The SIOUX payment is over. The agent com
menced the payment OF the :,rd The editor
OF the Henderson Demosyaf, VINO was present.,
says tbst on the Sd. incIndisg straggIers. from
all Tie Upper Bands, nearly one half u those
entitled to participate in The psyment were
prsssut The remainds tteipg the Big Stone
Lake, Lac Traverse and Mountain Bands
rvsss still sbsvs end INST probably will not
come to the Agency until AFTER the corn crop
has been secured. In this they display sound
sense, ~ the annuities Of goods aud money are
OF much less value than the corn they have
planted. The Dewotra, adds ~
When we reflect that the money payment to
thoss Indians smesst n bat ten dollsfsto each
individual, while the goods and provisions do
not exceed two dollars and thirty cents to each
person, We can but look upon the policy Of
dragging the Indians from sixty to one hundred
and twenty miles with their families 10 receive
this pittance m an absolute imposition. II
thess amounts were distributed gratuitosn3y
the Indians would be sufferers by coming aiter
them, but when II Is in the shape Of payment
for valuable consideration in the shape Of i'm
mense tracts Of their Territory. it is an abso-
lutte wrong TO require 10 great sacrifice ri
their hands. II the Indians are not paid Al
their villages. (which justice would dictate.)
the should at least be numbered at home, and
the heads OF families only required 10 attend
the pay ground.
We are glad to learn that efforts are being
made, and apparently with some success, "a,
the Sioux Agency, Tor the civilization Of the
tribe. The Democrat says Maj MURrHY. ID
making up his rolls for the payment at yellow
Medicine, Incorporated in one band, all tLose
who had adopted the dress and habits OF the
whites, thus Withdrawing them from the con
troll or influence OF the chiefs or braves Of the
less civilized bands
This is the first step that has been taken BY
the Government to assist praoi,oaly. in the civ
ilization Of the Upper Indians, and It will bs
followed by benedcial reS,l.s
The numbers Of this roll are already respcc
table. They have selected chief and council
to transact their business, aud they exhibit
much qualification at the attainment of this
advance In the scale Of civilization
This organization, however, meets with much
opposition from the main body Of the Indians
AZ they see that il will lead to a rapid dimuni
ton Of their numbers, and consequent impor
lance TO the new organization.
According TO their Bylaws new members
are to be received only by the consent Of u ma
jority OF the old members, and they express q
determination Of admitting none but those who
have discarded the Medicine sack ceased "a
participate in the Medicine and other foolish
ieasts Of the Indians. adopted the white dress
have bsilt and reside In houses. and have
u respectable field under cultivation. They
are determined TO admit Of no drencs into their
hive, TO eat up their substance.
There are already many who desire to join thi.
organization and many members will he added
by next summer In few years ii will mum
Der large majority Of the Indians belonging
to the Upper Bands.
Owing To late planting, the hail storm OF The
I'd July, and the drouth subsequently, the corr
about the lower Agency belonging TO the Mde
wakontous will prove almost an entire failure
from present appearances. This is To be de
plore.i, "a that crop provides the only means
OF subsistane for the Indians who winter on the
lower reserve. The crops Of the Five Lodgs
Band. and the mountain villages. have been al
most totally destroyed by the black birds, du
ring the absence Of the Indians at the payment
Should this prove true, Of which we entertair
10 doubt. these Indians will have lest their en-
tire means Of subsistence during the winter
through the policy persued by government il
the distribution Of annuities.