Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1882-07-06
-THE,RAIlRoAD SURVEY
Through the Ncz Pefce Reservation

'-made by the Idaho Clearwater AM
Mopta"a company to tn, Secretary o
sthe Interior, through the 'tndial
Agent ~ Iapwai, for railroad RICH
Of way, up the Clearwater about 81
miles through the Nee Perez reserva
ton. The commissioner. as well a
the S cretary, conceded that the treat
les with the Nez Perees provided TO-
such ght Of way when the govern
ment deemed such right expedent
and ordered that an Indian council b.
held At Lapwai, Of the leading Indian.
and that matters should te explained
to them aud their consent lie obtained
10 open council for preliminary sur
vey to d termine the route and the
ground required for stations, aud the
lands that had been improved by the
Ihdians that wou d be absorbed. This
WIS for the purpose of making an est
mate of he value that would he paid
by he company AZ compensation to the
Indian fer the lands absorbed. The
council met and refused t. allow The
survey 10 lie msde. There have sine
been assigned several causes for this
srefasal. The first and mot prominent
of which is that James Rheuhen, who
was sent as teacher aud preacher t,
the Nes Percrs, und.r Joseph, has re-
gently written letter to some KAN
las, advising them not to permit any
railroad to cross the reservation, that
the influence of this letter has oh ,nged
the minds Of large number who hith-
-erto were earnestly in favor Of u rail
road. Another cause assigned is that
the female teachers Ut K,mia are op
po~d u a "a lroad going through the
reservation, thinking that The charnc.
ter Of the population employed as lab
crcrs in it, construction would be such
- 10 greatly demoral ze tho Indians,
that although they admit tina. if the
road were built and in operation, i,
would be OF great value to the Indi
ans in enabling them to have quick
and easy ma ke' for their grain, horses
and cattle. Whether or t, these
teachers have g. told the Indians, we
know not, hit the Inference is plat
that with the views they have 'ex.
pressed to the whites. they have not
snor would they enc urage the Indi ms
TO give their consent to survey for
the purposes Of the railroad. 1t must
be they prefer the Ind,"ns remains
olsted from intercourse with the whites
in any respect, a policy hich it is tn
purpose sn0 "hj. Of the present sec
Rotary If the Interior 70 abrogate when
he desires that Indians be settled I'D
on and own lands in severelty, md that
surplus Ian on the reservation he
sod to whites for the benefit Of the
Jndians, and to make citizens Of III. m
~ soon as their attainments in civiliza
lion and the arts become sufficient 20
enable them to conduct their own af.
fairs and to know the value OF their
lands and to repel any attempts to rot.
sehsm Of their titles without an equiva.
1snt,hat might 10 made BY spectators
among the whites. Another cause as
signed TER the railroad refusal is that
some are incensed because q new agent
has been app inted in place of Mr..
Warner. whom they regarded in high
'estcem. and they think that the CIV.
eminent wants this railroad huilt and
wants new agent NJ the same time
and hence they withhold their essen,
to the railroad in expectation ,ha, by
20 doing. The government will not
change Mr.. Werner for ano' her agent.
All these excuses havc been assigned
tor their la'e acton, hut whs'her or
nor. anyone Of them is The true one.
We know mol. We are inclined to the
belief however. that they have h an
Influenced 10 this decision through mis-.
unders' andings as 10 tho true object
and advantages Of tie road; and tina.
'hese Misunderstanding will lie dis
PEELED from iheir minds in due time.
Ind their consent ob aimed. Every in
le'ligoos Iodan amo g Them mus. fore.
10 the advantages the road would be
g them ss people, dader the guards
IND ses'rain's the government would
impose rron the company in the build.
nQ and OpA-a'irr said road ,hr,rL