New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-04
AN APPEAL TO TIE Usage INDIANS.

SPEECH or THE GOVERNOR or THE Usage NATION
BEFORE THE INVESTIGATING COMMISSION.
IrRoN AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3.-DuIing the cxami-
nation OF By the Commission appointed 10 in
yestigate Tho charges made against Indian Agent Gibson
Of the osag Reservation the Governor OF the Osages
Joseph Pav-nc-no pashe al dressed the Commissioners
Ia his speech he seemingly we'll expresses the grievances
OF the Usage Indians. lie said
We will tell you some Of the reasons we have for ask
ing that more OF QUE money be given to this az Dt
ami why ask that he III set away at 0kce ana new
and good Lgeut sent To us 30 That we c'n properly IN
vestiga,e his accOunts Tie Osages have always been
governed by rlncl! c1iei olr ch'ets, councillors,
aud Lesden Tnes0 " IN are selected by tho Os&gcs TO
govern tnem and they have always 0beyed them TneSe
leading nn hold conc ana decide tile business OF the
nation and who belong to the nation have looked up
to their councils and ohyed them no agent has ever
nerier"d winte ait.olty OF our chels dSInrDel their
coincs organ zed new band, or trled To appoint
chiefs councillors until ibis man came here To act
our agent But he has trooled us III ali These thnSs
Little by little lie mas Oeeh troubling te affairs OF oar
trouble and time he does new thing that ia
intended to divide our councils make our chiefs ANA
Tie Usage people have C0ntcnp Tor teir lelnS i1en,
have respect only iOr Agent Gibson. he has nad
himself made c1ies and councillors. He advised tie
alibrecs 10 draw their part OF tue national money and
he could have it done for them IL they would ASK Tut
they refused 10 do this. lien Tic agent lad reported
draw their money and 40 away. This ere
ated great trou6e between the Osages and the
but tae agent tOld aud said pun e that ho would
recognize their Governor, aud that he attended
10 make another man Governor IN my pGce and tOid tho
people lDat te lt'cf wac tue true GOyelnO and thai
they not obey He has done all tAs ana mach
brag Affairs and leading men into contempt,
and to bns dbout bad feeling sd confusion and 40 VA!
among the Osase5 and among tue tali breeds Ibs Is
not good for people lie has done nany other tn.s
that show him 10 be bad man, who docs not do
business honestly ald openly the Osags, ;lat
all understand beea dome
money, that learn 10 take OF
affairs and know what have 10 expect each year be
fOru IL comes.
will tell you OF his actions When he Is going to
pay auy money Ae has hired he makes
the sign vouchers in blank. IL they ask for The
yolcAern ~ be filled up 80 that they may what they
signing he refuses to have 1t done and tells them lac
will not pay them until the voucher IA blank Ia gned
Some hayo waited many day To have thelr vouchers
filled up, but IL l,Iusd ana at st they Lad ~ sign
the blank before tley could get their pay. Nho he
his hIed by checks Inc bank tue check IN almost
every ID for money tnAn Is actually due
After the indOrses the cneCk be is paid exact
that 10 due him. and he balance is kept by ;he
VIA cashes the check lie has sent false vouchers
10 Washington for raL0ns furnished 10 Little Osagos
The Winter before lat the ascIt directed Alexander
Byett 10 Issue ratlons 10 tho Little Osdg,s. lie
gave them abou $3.50 worth. and was paid
voucher for $3.50 before he would give him
lis pay. Tho agent was authorized 10 lay each
head OF family 81 a foot who would jig we'll. The