Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1883-09-13
THE INDIAN QUESTION.


Senator Vest, of Missouri, who is on
The committee to investigate the Indian
situation, in a recent speech made at
Helena, Montana, made use of the fol-
lowing language as telegraphcd to the
Ovegonidn:
OF the second, the Indian question:
IN almost bare onc-he would say but
little. By personal experience and in
spection he was confirmed in the opinion
that there was but one solution of the
question-to give the Indians home in
eevesalty, not in common, which induced
. lazy, worthless and nomadic life. He
had visited the Shoshone and Arapahoc
tribes and found them idle in their tepces
near the agency, waiting to be fed at
Government expense. Just to think Of
2,5OO, 600 acres of land donated to a
mere handful Of lazy and starving lndi-
ans. He was opposed to offering prem
ium to barbarism. He said he would
not rob the Indians Of an inch of the
land which has been given to them, but
would give to each head of a family 100
acres Of land and so acres to each indi
vidual and teach them the first principles
Of civilization-to earn their bread by
the sweat of their brows, and for the re-
mainder Of their lands he would give
Government bonds, bearing 4 per cent.
interest, and pay it to them honestly. lie
did not believe in having them robbed
BY the agents, and was opposed to plac
ing them under the jurisdiction of the
war department. That the President and
General Sheridan himself we're opposed
70 it.
So it seems that every man of practi-
cal disceramcnt who visits the Indian res
esvations, and secs what the Indian is
capable of, as shown in some personal
cases in the cultivation of farms, and
what the great mass of them do on these
reservations who are fed by the Govern
ment and not compelled to till the soil
themselves for subsistence, comes to the
conclusion that the severalty system is
the only system that will civilize the In
dian, add bring him forward to position
Of civilization. IF such men as Senator
veet, Gen. Sheridan and President Ar
thur, favor the scveralty system, it is
reasonable to suppose that they can have
some influence in breaking down the OPP
position that exists against tho system.
There is no tribe existing as the wards
Of the Government, who are in any better
condition than the Neg Perccs to imbibe
sentiments of this system and who would
be more directly benefited by its adop-
ten. In fact now more than two-thir,ls
Il the nation, who have been left on the
reservation since the war of Joseph, are
favorable to it. A few who wish to re-
fain the old hereditary chieftain system
end not bo subject to the democratic doc
tsine Of the masses selecting their rulers
~ opposed. We are told that James
Reuben, who has recently returned from
the Indian country, where he has been
= teacher, is in favor Of the old system
and that james Lawyer is also in favor,
that what little influence is exerted among
The Indians against the scveralty plan, is
sxsrtcd by these men. If these men
eoaA bo made to soc the practical advan-
tage Of the severalty system to the In
dians generally, aud to themselves in
particular, and he induced to seek this
arrangement from the Government, the
movement would be more readily set in
motion. As matters now are with but
little if any earnest effort to bring about
the desired change among the Neg Perces,
ysannay elapsc before the governmentwill
aake any decisive action in the matter.
We trust our Delegate, Mr.. Singiaer, viii
visit this section before Congress convencs
and fully post himself with as many facts
q possible relating to the Nex Perces,
that he may intelligently present their
claims to the severalty system at the next
session Of Congress, and should he come
here on this mission, We trust that our
citisens in North Idaho generally will in
terest themselves to furnish to him such
information as will induce his full under
sanding Of the question. We feel assur-
Cd that the present agent at Lapwai will
encourage the movement, and among the
whites We know of but very few, if any,
Who will openly oppose the movement.
Some may have some selfish schemes to
crafty that will induce them claudestine-
y to place Instructions in the way of the
consumation of this most desirable change
that can possibly be effected for the ben
eft of these Indians as well as for the
growth and prosperity Of the northern
sounties Of Idaho. Let every good citi-
zen Of North Idaho seize hold of some
purchase whereby he can aid in efiecting
this change, and that early.
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