New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-23
THE JyDTIY DEP4RTMEYT AGAIN.

mont in the Ponca matter until it has iDfOr-
nation from the West which can be depended
upon as accurate on both sides The affair, as
it appears at present, stands thus. law suit
has been entered at Omaha to restore the
Poncas to full possession of their farms,
houses, etc, in Dakota. Capital TO carry on this
suit, if necessary. to the Supreme Court, Is
supplied by friends OF the red men in the East,
who propose to make this test case by which,
if it is gained, the Indian will be recognized
legally as a human being (Which be is not now,
will be enabled to earn and hold property, to
punish and be punished by the Courts, as is
the negro, the white, the Chinaman, every other
man III the country but himself. During this
suit the Poncas are held in the Indian
Territory, to which they were removed under
circumstances of great cruelty and barbarity.
The whole of these circumstances, together
with the proof of the absolute title of tie
Poncas to their property in Dakota, and the
proof that they still hold that title were brought
before the Kirkwood Senate Committee last
Winter. Months of patient investigation were
devoted to them, and the decision Of the Com
mittee was given in favor OF the Poncas. There
was then no single reason why they should
not at Orce have bten reinstated in their
| property in Dakota. But it was not done they
still remain in the AIalariOus Belt
Now comes the last chapter. Il. II. Tibbles,
an Omaha editor, who has interested himself
effectively in behalf of these poor people, but
| who, it is rumored, is not personally agree able
| to members of the Indian Department, states
| that he was sent by the counsel for the Poncas,
Messrs. Webster and Poppleton, in OMAHA, as
| their agent to advise the POncas how to act
during the coming SUIT that he was arrested
| by Agent Whiting, under instructions from
| Washington Wiley abused and barely escaping
I with his life, followed to Arkansas City 10y
EARNED ruiiians, who swore they were hidden by
"Whiting to snoot him on sight" According
TO this statement, the Indian Department has
interfered to prevent free communication be-
tween the counsel for the POncs and their clients
which, If it be true, is an action both Illegal
and unjust The reply of the Indian Depart
ment TO this statement is that Mr.. Tibbles
came to persuade the Poncas to run away to Da-
kota. carrying with them the new wagons, etc,
Given them by the Government and that he was
arrested according to law in such cases pro-
"vided" Agent Whiting also states that the
Poncas would prefer to remain where they
are that they are thoroughly Disguised with
"Tibbes and his plans, and are determined to
"Iemaln, live and die where they are, and that
they are defIous OF having schools; IN
all Of which desiies We a1e told, the Indian
Department proposes 10 gIatify them.
1t is difficult to get at the facts Of this OF any
Other matter which concerns the Indians. 1t
mlst be remembered, however, that it is
much harder to get at the facts when they come
through Indian agents, all Of whose interests
force them to conceal the truth. Once let this
fest case Of the POncds be decided in Their
favor and the Indian will be placed squaraly
on his own feet where he SHOULD have been
placed years ago. liz will be entitled, like
any other man, to his quarter section OF land,
to his crops, his house, all that he earns ; he
will have a chance, which he has not now, to
learn trade and to work at it, There will be
an end of the system OF wards of the nation
and Of AGENT Whiting and all the other white
agents and traders and mechanics who have
lived off the Indians and the Government III
the reservations. They will find their occupa-
tions utterly gone They know this. We need
not be surprised, the rcfOre, to hear from
Aren't Whiting that the PUncas are dsgusted
with this lawsuit, on which the future life Of
their people depends, and that they would
|
third of their number have died, with Whiting
as their father than return to their old home
as freemen.
The public however, prefer to hear from the
Poncas directly through some other medium
tlan Agent Whiting. The public concerns
itself little with either him or Mr.. Tlbbles w,
shall have the truth about their affair presently
and can wait for it. But the POnca suit Ii
another matter upon it depends the futur,
position of the Indian in the body polite
His present legal status is as disgraceful t.
this free Republic as was that OF the slave
Public attention having once been called to thi
monstrous wrong, it will be rigbted and it il
not IN the power Of any Indian agent or Indial
Commissioner to put tie matter out of sigh
by misstatements or by indiherently pooh
poohing it aside rs u question of small con
sequences.
SPIRITUALISTS IN COUNCIL.
he O.. .x. n