New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-25

IN DAK0TA-TnE INDIANS WILLING TO Ac-
| CEPT THE MONEY.
| iBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUEEl
WAsBINGrON, Dec. 24.--At the meeting of the
Poncas in the Interior department offices this
ing, Secretary Schurz read to he Indians draft OF
| a treaty article OF agreement to be signed hy
them and passed upon by Congress in the form
| of bill. Ii pro yides for appropria-
| ton of $4,000, of which about $4,000
is to be expended for lands in the Indian Territory
900 in cash TO be distributed per capita to the
tribe, and $4,000 invested in stock cattle and
draft animals. Seventy thousand do lars to be
| invested in per cent Government bonds per-
manent fund the interest of which is to be paid to
| them annually After this was read and explained
| 10 the Indians sentence by sentence they were
asked If they were willing to it, and if that
| expressed their views. They said 1t was in accord
ance with their understanding, aud thew ready
| to sign it, Then Mr. Scburz said If they had any
thing to say they might make their statements.
Thereupon White Eagle SAID that the Great Spirit
had created the white man and the Indian alike.
but he bad evidently forgotten the red man. and the
white man had gone on advancing until he had got
ten all the appliances thaG he Uses. He said they
were with tho white men only with their eyes; that
is. they could see them and their operations, but
could not understand them their WAYS
The Indian, however, created by the
Great SPIRIT on this land meaning Washington, but
the white man was created long way off. When
he came here there was nobody here but Poncas,
and the Poncas had nothing to do but to walk over
the land. Then they were driven back, until final v
they all gathered upon lutte piece OF land
opposite Sioux City, IN Nebraska. That was their
home. There they had suffered from the depreda-
tious of the Sioux which they did not resent be-
the Great Father told them that they
should be paid for any damage done TO their
bones. Then they were driven out he said, not for
any fault of their own. and their hearts had suf-
fered great deal. He said when he heard this
paper read it made his heart weep because " Gray
Hap tWIliiam WEIGH, one of the Peace Coumis-
sonersl had told them their lands alone in Dakota
were worth $003,000 without. their houses and |
their improvements But now they desired TO |
get on as the white men doing and be civil |
lied and they were willing to go on and sign this |
paper.
At the afternoon meeting two copies of
the document were presented for signatures,
one for the Indians aud one for the
President. Before signing, General Crook be-
gan asking White Eagle questions. He asked if
there had been any promises threats made to
hem 20 induce them to agree now to remain IN the
Indian Territory. 10 this White Eagle replied there
,wn free VIII. General Crook asked hlm to relate
low they had been removed White Eagle then re-
,eated IN a dramatic way the affecting story
# the sutferIDgs of his people, so often
old of recent years The cross-examinatior |
" General Crook indicated a doubt on the
lart of the Commissioners. who were all |
PRESENT of the justice and prOprety Of tins act and
he chiefs made to understand that the COM :
nssIoners would visit them at their homes inmeJi- |
tey. and by eXipinatiOn of other members of the |
ribe get the truth of the matter. The talk con
inued until late hour. White Eagle sad that he
ad few things to say to the Secretary before :
igning the paper. He said that -, 900 had been !
for the purchase OF ponies for them in
he Indian Territory, but only six ponies had d
ver reached them He asked If the a
Money could be applied in the way c
riglDally intended. the Secretary replied that 1t
ad now been covered into the Treasury and could
My be made available again by being reapproprIa ed
y Congress- o her similar questions were asked
nd answered. Finally the Secretary said il was d
citing late and tomorrow beng Christmas further Y
iik had better be postponed Gnnl Monday. But" v
ded the Secretary. IF White ka2le is ready 10 Il
gn the papers there IS time enough for that.D
When L have finished my talk" replied White |
agile with dignity, Z" Will sign" 1hereupon the |
,uncIl adjourned.