Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1883-04-12
INDIAN COUNCIL AT LAPwAI

4NO1AN COONClh AL LAT w al
We were present at the Indian cour
Gil of the Nez Pcrces at Lapwai, o.
Thursday, at which upwards Of % adul
male Indians were present, the create
portion from Kama. The agent presen
ted to them the letters and orders iron
the department, relating to railroad sur
vey across the reservation, desiring then
to express their views upon the subject
After the presentation of the matter, tn
Indians were called upon to discuss il
open council the whole question, and il
response many speeches were made by tn.
Indians in favor, and many against s.
far as We could gather from the speeches
the majority would like to have a railroad
through the reservation, but fear seemed
to prevail that railroad would be an en-
tering wedge to absorbing the reservation
by the whites. Several expressed their
wish that as soon as the Indians were al
lowed the privilege of settling upon the
lands in seyeralty, and owning each his
100 acres, they would then be ready to
have railroad go through. Some asked
for more time to consider the matter.
All expressed their desire and purpose to
abide by their treaty stipulations in re-
gard to roads across the reservation, but
some claimed that their Interpretation
Of that portion of the treaty, only en-
braced the trails and such roads as are
now in use Aftorthc discussion had contin-
ued until about p. m, and it was put,
large majority, mostly Kamia's, voted
in the negative. The agent then told
them their speeches would be reported to
the department, and also their vote, and
that he should not return the report for
some time hence upon this question, but
would allow any who wished to changed
their vote to come forward to him and
make the change After adjournment of
the council that evening, we had CONVEX
sation with several who voted in the neg
alive and they indicated that they would
be likely to change their votes when they
better understood the question. The let
tiers from the department were read by
the agent, and faithfully interpreted to
the Indians with Indian Tom Robusco
near him to correct any mistakes, if any
were made interpreting. Robusco tod
the Indians that the letters were faith
fully and truthfully interpreted to them.
Much stress was laid upon that purpose
Of the commissioners letter to the
Secretary Of the Interior, stating that
The treaty provisions were sufficient to
allow the building of the railroad, under
the authority Of the Indian department,
and the secretary's reply endorsing the
same views, and ordering the matter to
DO presented to the Indians in council.
We have reason to believe that their con-
'cnt will be granted, as soon as they can
Do made to understand that railroad VIII
10 great financial benefit to them, as
veil as to the whites, in getting their
produce to market at cheap rate, COM
jared with the expense Of time and labor
Q which they are now subject. All
eemcd to express their friendly relations
owards the whites, and their desire that
he same should continue. There was
ne thing noticeable at the council, that
he two sittings Of the council, one in the
orcnoon Of two hours in length, and one
A the afternoon Of three hours in length,
were models for white audiences 10 'T %as- i !
tate for strict order and attention given
10 what was being discussed in council.
There was no apparent uneasiness or list
lessncss from any quarter, and no
shown in the warmth Of any
Df the discussions Probate system
and laws were to be considered for the