The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-09-06
VEST IN MONTANA.
He Entertains the Helenaites.

Helena, M. T., Sat SIS last
evening the Helena silver cornet
band serenaded Senator Vest, of
Missouri, at the International
hotel. at the conclusion of the
serenade Hon. Martin Maginnis, in
well chosen remarks, III his usual
eloquent style, introduced to the
large audience that had assembled,
the distinguished Senator as repre-
sentative, big hearted, great Drained
western man. Senator Vest thanked
the people for their kindness toward
him IN the past and the compliment
OF the present. He said he was not
here for any political purpose, but
to perform two important duties,
first to visit and inspect the Yellow
stone national park, and second to
discharge his duty as a member of
the special committee consisting of
himself and Major Maginnis, ap-
pointed to inquire into the Indian
question and the state of Indian
affairs. AS to the Yellowstone
park, he stated that it was not in
the condition originally intended
by Congress; that it was called a
place of resort where tourists, rich
and poor, might view and enjoy
the grandest scenery on the CONT
nent; that never with his consent
should it be used for speculation or
as a cattle ranch; that in its
present condition it was with
out law, where robbery and crime
could be committed with impunity.
He spoke of having been attacked
by the eastern press on his bill for
throwing the National park into
the Jurisdiction of Montana, and
believing that it was right he had
no apology to offer. OF the second,
the Indian question, almost a
threadbare one, he would say but
little. By personal experience and
inspection he was confirmed in the
opinion that there was but one
solution of the question, to give the
Indians home in severalty, not in
common, which induced a lazy,
worthless and nomadic life, He had
visited the Shoshones and Arapahoe
tribes and found them idle in their
tepes near the agency, waiting to
be fed at Governments expense.
Just to think Of 100000 acres of
land donated to a mere handful of
lazy and starving Indians. He was
opposed to offering premiums to
barbarism, He said he would notrob
the Indians of an inch, not an
acres of the land which has been
given to them, but he would give to
each head of family 100 acres of
land. and 80 acres to each Individual,
and teach them the first principles
of civilization to earn their bread by
the sweat of their brow, and for the
balance of their lands he would
issue Government bonds bearing
4 per cent. interest, and pay it to
them honestly. He did not believe
in having them robbed by the agents
and was opposed to placing them
under the Jurisdiction of the War
Department. The President and
General Sheridan himself were
also opposed to it. He said that
although this was his first visit
here, he did not feel that he was a
stranger, for Montana could truly
be called the offspring of Missouri,
the State which he represented. He
was surprised to see the prosperity
of our mountain homes, and hoped
that the day was not far distant
when the Montana star would shine
the brightest in that national con-
stellation which all patriotic citi-
zens desire to endure forever.