New-York tribune., 1880-02-14
THE WAY THE WHITE MEN DO.
BRIGHT EYES AND STANDING BEAR AsToNIsHEp-

BRIGHT EYES AND STANDING BEAR AsIoNishhD
THE PONCAs REMOVED AGAINST THEIR WILL
THE BUREAU INVESTIGATION.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEI
WASHINGTON, Feb 13.--When Bright Eyes was
being examined by the Senate Committee to-day a
paper signed by ffty-seven Ponca Chiefs and heads
of families addressed to the Great Father and ask
ing in formal manner to be removed to the lndiah
Territorv was shown TO her. The first signature
was that of White Eagle
why" said she this is remarkable "hite
Eagle has told me dozen times that he never
signed any paper of the kind. Never in any way
signifed his wish or willingness TO be removed"
Standing Bear was questioned IN regard to the
naper. A smile of surprised increduhty stole over
his face as the document was read to him. ana
some very brief but emphatic opinions were OK
pressed by him in his own dialect. "nen IL was
concluded his words were translated: " That's the
way the white men always do. They say one thing
and write another"
He was asked to explain his understanding of
the document he did sign. He said the Agent re-
turned from Washington and proposed to them 10
remove to the Indian Territory They said NO.
if we move at all we will go to the Omaha Reserva-
tion" The Agent kept urging and at last they had
a council and talked the whole matter over. Ihey
decided that they would not move at all ana they
told the Agent so. The Agent thereupon MADE
paper containing, they supposed, their reiusal 10
remove and they signed H.
Mr. Tibhles was examined. He was asked what
i'm his opinion was the real motive for the removal
ITO get the appropriation of $4,000 THINK"
said Mr.. 1ibbles. 81 can see no other motive
The Poncas supplied their own transportation and
rations for the journey" he continued, and can't
see how it cost the Government a cent"
Acting-Commissioner Brooks then asked TO have
n letter from Agent Kimball put in evidence III
which the writer says that $1,000 was paid out
for ortransportation and $3.50 for feed and forage
while on the journey, all accounted for on certified
vouches. Bright Eyes thcreupon asked Standing
Bear how often wood was issued during the trip.
"Only once" was the reply. "The rest of the time
we picked up sticks on the roadside" How often
did they issue foragep Not once" answered
the Chief, promptly.
1t expected that Kimball. the agent who Sc
cured the removal Of the tribe, will be examined
tomorrow.
The Committee appointed by the Board of Indian
Commissioners to examine into the administration
of the Indian Bureau are hard at work IN the per-
formauce Of that duty. IL is understood that they
have already found some faults, and there IS no
dOubC that these viii be promptly corrected. Ii APP
pears that the committee has discovered that the
preiudices of the late Commissioner were so strong
that many pcrsOns who had business with the office
were treated with great haTshness and injustice.
Such persons could not get their bills approved or
their accounts adjusted. Within the last day or two
several claims, which have been plgeonholed for n
wear or two for apparent reason except that MI
liayt did not like the claimants, have been taken
up and adjusted
MIR Trowbridge Of Michigan. is being urged by
one member of the Board of Indian Commissioners
for the Vacant Commi ssiOneTship. The other mem
hers of The Board and others who are familiar with
the subject think no harm Will be done by delaying
the appointment for some time