The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-09-25
INDIAN TERRITORY.
Sioux Reservation Likely 10 Fail-En-
dian Eloquence and Indignation.

WASHINGTON, Sept 24.-The Senate COM
mittee appointed last session to visit Montana
and Dakota, and inquire into the condition OF
the Indians in those Territories, will make a
unanimous report next winner against the
ratification of the agreement made by the
Sioux commission sent out by the Interior de-
partment to obtain portion Of the Sioux re-
servation in Dakota. The commissioners re-
ported that they had obtained the consent of
three.fourths Of the tribe to part with eleven
million acres OF their lands for considera-
tion of %, 900 cows and 1000 bulls. According
to the valuation OF cattle on the plains, this
would be at the rate of about eight cents an
acre. From the testimony taken at every
agency by the Senate committee it appears
that the Indians claimed almost unanimously
that they had been coerced by threats into
signing the agreement; that they did not want
10 sell, and do not want to sell an acre OF their
land. The threats were to the effect that their
lands would Dc taken anyhow, and the tribes
removed to remote localities by the govern
ment They deny that three-fourths of the
tribe signed the agreement. At the Pine
Ridge agency it was shown to the satisfaction
OF the Senate committee that the names of
children as young as five years had been OBJ
.. Ds
agent for the Sioux commission. The Indians
were particularly bitter in their ,,ienuneiations
OF Hlnman, and Red Cloud told the oemmittee
that he had lied outrageously making promises
OF land in Nebraska and offering special priv-
leges. A delegation from the constitutional
convention, in session at Sioux Falls, called
on the committee at Omaha, and argued that
as the chiefs had signed the agreement, the
Senate should not hesitate in ratifying it. The
committee denied the power of ithe chiefs to
act for the tribe in making transfers of proper
ty. Senator Dawes made speeches at the be-
ginning of every council, inviting the Indians
to talk fully and freely, promising that no
harm would come to any one for expressing
his opinions. His explanation that the COM
mittee did not want any of their lands, was
greeted with expressive grunts of approval and
"Haws" OF satisfaction, the Indians informing
the Senator that he was the first white man
who did not want to get something from them
besides words. The presence of all the inter-
prefers that could be obtained was insisted up
on by the committee at every council, so that
no mistakes could occur. Frequently this was
found to be of great advantage, different inter
pyeters having to correct each other The
speech at Standing Rock of Running Antelope
acknowledged to be the orator of the Sioux
nation, impressed the committee more than
than that of any other Indian. His gestures
were perfect, and some of his figures of speech
were expressive and beautiful. Addressing
Senator Dawes as his father, he likened
the Sioux to little fish in muddy stream,
whose vision had been obscured and who were
unable to make their way. The committees
visit, he said, had cleared the waters, and the
fish were now able to see. Some of the
speeches revealed sense of humor not believ-
ed to be possible with an Indian. Little No
Heart, at the Cheyenne agency in explaining
how his people had been deceived, said that
when the Black Hills country had been ceded
to the government the great father promised
them COW, but none had ever been received ;
and last winter they had again been offer ed
that same government COW, by the Sioux COM
mission. for moro of their lands The Indians
Joined the committee in the hearty laugh which
this remark created.