New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-05-12
THE OSAGFS IND THEIR LANDS.

The OS1GES AND IHEIh bhN''''
The Usage Indians, a few years ago, owned
tract of land in the south part OF Kansas,
extending fifty miles from north to sonth anu
several hundred miles from east to west.
Originally they roamed over and claimed, IN
company with their kindred tribe (the Kaws),
the greater part of Kansas and large portion
of the Indian Territory BY various treaties
the limits of their lands were circumscnbed,
and other Indians from east of the Mississippi
were placed on them. At length they coded
all. EXCEPT the tract named, one condition be-
ing that the Government should guarantee
them perpetual possession of this. The land
in question is valuable, being better watered
and tmbered than some other portions OF
Kansas. Owing to this fact, and the en-
croachmcnts of settlers, treaty was ne
gotiated few years ago by the aid, we
believe, of agents and missionaries, and part OF
the east end, twenty by fifty miles, including
the rich valley of Neosha River, was obtained
from them for song, one-half Of the land
going to railroad companies, and the remainder
to squatters at 81 25 per acre, the Government
thereby making a nice speculation at the eX-
pense of its poor wards, as the whole did not
cost it one-fiftb of what it received. Suisse
Quently similar slice was taken from the
north side in a similar way. The success OF
these various schemes in securing the sanction
of the Government emboldened them for
more ambitious undertaking. During the adj
minstration of President johnson, an Indian
Commissioner, in company with number OF
railroad men, made treaty for all that re-
manned of the rich tract the treaty not only
tl,o Lon for m n
what it was worth, but also disposing of large
portions of it to certain railroad corporations.
Whether the specific gravity of its iniquity,
or the fact that the tunder was not generally
divided, led to its dsfavOr, even in the Com
mittee, We cannot say. In any event it hung
fire in the Senate. When Gen. Grant became
President he instructed some of his Quaker
agents or superintendent to inquire whether
the Osages considered it a swindle, or wanted
it ratified. The result of these inquiries was
adverse to the treaty, and some time ago
President Grant withdrew it from the Senate,
thereby expressing his disapprobatiOn of its
terms. Strangely enough, the Senate Indian
Committee, without consulting the Osages as
to their interests, and before the President
could do so, reported bill, embodying nearly
all of the Objectionable features of the treaty,
and is trying to crowd it through Congress.
Now, what is the meaning of all thisf AS
in former instances, we are threatened with an
Indian war that may cost us millions. In the
face of public sentiment, which demands that
these wards of the Government be treated
justly and fairly, why are such schemes per-
sisted in7 Senator Morrill, of Maine, in debate
one day last week, said these lands were worth
four or five dollars an acre. and it was proposed
to take them for a little more than twenty
cents. We believe another provision of both
bill and treaty was that nearly half a million
acres of their lands should go the Kansas
School Fund and it is also stipulated that the
Osages shall forever leave the State. Railroads
will get very large portions of the lands. What
shall we say of the Indian Committees of Con-
cress. when such schemes can be Matched up
in them2
The truth is that both of these Committees
are largely composed of men whose constitu-
ents are interested against a just consideration
of Indian interests. They ought to be reor-
ganized at once. The peace of the Country
and the honor of the Government demand that
the interests of these poor people be cOnided
to the Judgment of committees whose impair
TALLY is above suspicion.