The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1873-06-21
INDIAN COMMISSION.

present conoltlon and IuIure ulsposltlon
proposed to be made of the large num-
bers OF Indians who compose the various
bands of Shoshones. At a meeting of
special commissioners, including Major
j. W. Powell and Rev. G. W. ingalls,
lately held at Salt Lake City, at which
Mr.. Gheen was present, many subjects
of deep interest to the people Of the
frontier in general and the Indians in
particular were discussed. One distin-
gushing feature of this conference was
the exposition of the policy proposed to
be followed by the United States Govern
ment toward their Indian wards in the
future, which, If carried to a successful
issue, as promised, will result certainly
to the moral and physical benefit of those
concerned. 1t is the firm and unalter-
able policy of President Grant to induce
all Indians, now at large overt the various
| Western Territories and States, to be
placed upon suitable reservations, such
as will be adapted to the cultivation of
the soil, and furnish hunting grounds
for these people but it is not the pro-
position of the Government to use force
to accomplish this object until all other
means have failed. At a "pow-wow"
held with Sampitch, one of the principal
chiefs Of the Northwestern band of Sho-
shones, held at Cache Valley. at which
Mr.. Gheen acted as interpreter, the ut
most good feeling prevailed, and a will
ingness was expressed on the part of the
chief to conform to the wishes of the
Great Father at Washington. Sampitch
is described as being a man nearly sew
enty years Of age and of more than ordi-
nary intelligence one accustomed to
think, talk and act for himself. He
claims hat all he wants for himself and
people is to be placed on a suitable reser-
v~ation, and be allowed to apportion the
lands given them among themselves in
their W manner, in such quantities to
each individual man or family as best
suits them. He wants to have white
men employed to teach the men the art
of cultivating their lands. the product to
be used either rs a means of support or
of revenue nj objection is made to the
visits of the pale faces, provided they do
moi bring fire-water for sale or barter, in
which event, he asserts, that he cannot
restrain the fierce passions of his people,
and will not be responsible for many acts
committed by them, as among white
men, while under the influence of liquor.
Obedience to the laws of the United
States is promised, and Sampitch pledges
himself to exert all his influence to make
his warriors peaceable and law-abiding.
Our informant tells us That, during the
C inference with the old chief, Special
Commissioner G. W. ingalls, was pres
ent, and, as the quickly uttered SEN
fences were interpreted to him, he was
agreeably surprised at the apparent good
sense and evident sincerity which
prompted their delivery. With truth, 1t
was asserted, that since the introduction
of white men many forms of disease had
appeared among their hitherto healthy
young men and women, and that death
had swept off many who otherwise would
have lived to a good old age. The la
bors of this commission are represented
to have been thus far marked with an
evident desire to deal Justly with the
Indians, to inform them of the intention
of the Government toward them, ask
their acceptance of the terms proposed,
and use every means to induce them to
go peaceably upon lands set apart for
them. Should success crown the efforts
now being made with this tribe, a great
advance will be made toward a settlement
of our Indian troubles throughout the
great northwest. II the Modoc war shall
have been productive of a plan for the
adjustment of this vexed Indian ques-
ton, it will surely be a matter for con-
graduation throughout the country.
REsIaNED.-D. o. Mills, who has held
the position of President of the Bank OF
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