The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-05-28
HEARD FROM.
A Copy Of the Dispatch Sent by Major
Lincoln to the Indian Commissioner.

Col. Donnelly was heard from last
Friday, and he reports that the sub
joined telegram was drawn up and sent
by Major Lincoln to the commissioner
on Indian affairs. 1t is doubtless true
that the boundary suggested for the new
reservation would be very acceptable to
the people of Fort Benton, but it is also
true that such a dispatch at this stage of
the proceedings destroys all hope OF the
opening OF the reservation in any way
this session Of congress. The bill, as
framed by Maginnis, while it might be
improved, is a million times better than
none at all, and we are sorry to see that
Major Lincoln does not indorse it, as his
Endorsement would probably resultinthe
opening OF a portion Of that fine coun-
try, while the suggestion of new boun-
diaries, widely different from those de-
fined in the bill, will cause delay and
the ultimate defeat OF the measure. Ii
a bill framed in accordance with the
| views of Lincoln and Donnelly, as ex-
pressed in the dispatch, did not antagoO-
nize other interests and could be passed,
it would be all right, but the chances
are largely in favor of its failure, and
we thus get nothing! Maginnis asked
for a telegram from Lincoln approving
the bill, in accordance with the letter
Of that official published in this paper,
but he got something else, and the mat
ter, muddled before, is now in a nope
less state, and it is safe to say that noth-
ing will be done. A number OF citizens
interviewed by the RIVER PRESS re-
porter last evening fully agree with "
IN thosn oniniono Tho toforram rofprFeu
to reads as follows:
Fort BELKNAP, May %.
To Commissioner OF Indian AU0@s'
Washington. ID. c.:
Boundary of new reservation as ae.
scribed in Maginnis' bill unsatlsfacloly
to the people Of Choteau county. A ilns ~
drawn north and south from moutno "
Snake creek to British line and MIS-,
souri, river would be satisfactory to nue
and all, or nearly all. concerned-sas
ing the Indians their reservation ea'V
of said line. Particulars by mall.
w. T.. LINCOLN,
u. S. Indian Agt
I fully approve the foregoing dlspa'oI
in behalf of myself and the people u
Fort Benton. j.. j. DoNNELLY'
Col. ). }. Donnelly returned on o a NV
ing from Fort Assinaboine. he ses
to think that the telegram sent 10 Wa she
ington by Major Lincoln is Jus. If
thing, as it removes the opposlIloa and
both the agent at Belknap and Peg IN in
thus makes it possible for the o nale.
that form to pass-ifi it is urged Dy nh The
gate Maginnis. But that's the ruo, ,osi.
new proposition is sure to bring o r. no
ton that will defeat it, and it IS ~ an.
means cerain that Maginnis VIII #
prove the Donnelly-Lincoln schend by
the Maginnis bill had been lndoiseh have
Major Lincoln we believe it Woulu now
passed this session but as matters f,rther
stand the prospect of anything dlalonel
being done is a little dark. - ms
Donnelly says Mr.. Lincoln reillse ha Ma
itively to give his approval TO l range
ginnis bill, which is certainly That
in view Of the statement maze os over
gentleman only a few days ago !, the
his own signature, and puollsnea
River PRESS!