Daily globe., 1883-08-27
TIRE MGNNNESOr4 INDIANS.
Lettsr from Gov. Hubbard Relative to
Their Wishes and Needs.
ST.. PAUL, Aug. 20, 1888.

Lettsr from Gov. Hubbard Relative to
Their Wishes and Needs.
ST. PAUL, Aug. 20, 1888.
Hon. 81. M. Teller, Secretary of the In
terror, Washington, D. c.: Sir---I have the
honor of submitting the following regard
ing the condition of the Indians yet living
within the limits of this state, to call at
tention to the joint resolutions of the leg.
islature of this state upon the subject
found upon page 236, of the volume of
general laws of 1888, copy of which ]
have caused to be sent you by to- days
mail.
The scattered condition of the various
bands, some of them living upon various
reservations and some of them among the
whites upon nene,gives Us an interest in the
Indian question that sometimes rises to
anxiety. 1t is not, therefore, from senti-
mental theory that the action of our legis-
lature proceeds.
1t is the belief of our people that it is
possible and desirable to induce the Chin
pewas to concentrate on one, or, at most.
two reservations, and accept aid from the
proceeds of their abandoned reservations
in promoting their advance toward the
habits and advantages of civilization.
AhO w ALeO E0S6TNdIlOu r6QdrQ6O
as the intended home of all the Minnesota
bands when collected. It is-or with some
portion of the Red Lake reservation, would
be ample in extent for the purpose. 1t
contains excellent lands for grass and
tillage, fine lumber, pine enough for all
local needs, plenty of hard maple for sugar
and is we'll watered with lakes and streams
abounding in fish.
Paris of all the bands already reside al
White Earth, and they are generally in
proved in their purposes as we'll as their
circumstances since they came there. a
considerable number have taken claims as
farmers, and have by cultivation become
entitled under the laws of our country to
$50 acres; and the number of these is mul.
tiplying. Some of them have bought i'm
proved agricultural machinery for their
use, and good stock is found we'll cared
for at good many of their farms. Labor
is acquiring its proper consideration. Fol-
several years Indians have gone from the
reservationf to work upon the farms OF
whites during harvest. Several have been
employed in the mills at Motley, of whose
| service their employers spoke highly. The
teaming of the government during Mai
Rutfee's management is largely done by
people of the bribe,
Some of the Indians at White Earth
think there are among the bands wise and
prudent men, who could iudiciously exer-
else some political power in their affairs
if authorized to do so. For instance a
council of members representing the differ,
ent bands might, they believe, designate
the persons to be employed as blacksmiths
teamsters, about some of which difficulties
have at times occurred between the Indi.
ans and their agents. If any fund should
be allotted for the construction or i'm
provement of roads, the council could de.
termine, they say, where and for what ii
should be expended. The body might as
it proved trustworthy be entrusted with
more control of affairs affecting the tribes.
It was believed that such an opportunity
to participate to an increased extent in
affairs would tend to stimulate the desire
to understand such matters to be able to
peform such duties; that as the old life
and the old ideas are felt and known to be
past and forever gone, the opening of q
new life with new honors, would be most
timely and most helpfal. It is altogether
likely and the trial seems to be worth the
pains of making.
But the last suggestions relate to details
of an ameliorative management upon
which understand the department to be
fully entered. Ia approval and further
ance of such policy 1 would urge that the
future acquisition by the United States of
any of the Chippewa reservation, especial
ly of such as contain pine lands, shall be
SO effected by provisions of law or treaty
that the Indians may be convinced that
they receive the actual value of their lands
including the pine stumpage: and that the
proceeds shall be invested for their perma
nent benefit.
Whether new legislation will be redui-
site or the conditions of treaty could be
made sufficient to control the dispo-
sition of the lands and the proceeds there
of, think it most important in its effect
upon the Indians that settlement of the
matter of reservation shall be effected with
them in such way that they may under.
stand that the degree of advantage which
they will derive from parting with their
refervations will be proportioned to the
actual value of their relinquished proper.
ty to the white people who will acquire it,
and that the advantages will be secured to
them and their descendants as the whites
will hold the land in perpetuity.
1t is known that our pine lands are &C
quired under existing laws for much less
than the timber is worth. It is believed
that the timber alone on the reservations
might be sold for something like its value
if such precautions against its being sacri.
feed were taken, as the states have found
effectual in disposing of their grants for
schools and other purposes,
If such course were pursued and the
receipts from the sales Sf land and pine
we're invested for the use and benefit of
the Indian bands, l believe the interest
would be sufficient to provide for their
needs, and furnish them with many and
increasing aids and incentives to improve
ment.
The Chippewas have always been better
disposed towards the whites than other
tribes in this state, and it seems they are
also more inclined to the ways of civiliza-
ton for themselves. The welfare of our
people is involved in their condition while
they remain among us, and 1 have felt it
my duty to ask especially that they be SO
dealt with that they may be and
remain contented in mind, enjoying
the income of the proceeds
from their reservation property
without dlmlnution or risk.
There are number of old matters about