Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1884-04-24
JoaEPR9 MEN AND THE SET
TIERS.

AoOWS.
If the government of the United
States has i'll treated Joseph aud his peo-
PIE in any form, let the government
make the reparation that would be prop
e., but not in form and manner to involve
the frontier settlers aud expose them and
their families to Indian retaliation. Sen
ator Dawes has recently made speech
in the senate, claiming to recite the
wrongs done 70 Joseph, and has before
the Senate, bill providing for the re-
turn Of Joseph and his people to his for
ner home, which must mean the Wal
iowa country, a. he never had home on
the Nes Perez reservation, and when
here be would not accept Of one when Of
fered to him, before the war of 1877.
The Old question Of the rights of 10
seph and his people to the Wallowa coun-
w i revived 10 Senator Dawes speech,
and to support said speech he presents to
the Senate . petition, signed by Mrs
james A. Garfield and 500 others, OF
Cleveland, Ohio, for the passage of his
bill. Nov, to u there is something ex-
tre.ely ridiculous in offering such pc.
tition, with any hope or expectation that
il could have any weight with the senate
in favor Of the passage Of the bill In
The Ant place, what does Mrs. Garfield,
Or any one Of her allies in the petition,
knew Of the grievances Of Joseph and
biz people, that they could set forth why
they Should be sent back here? The
treaty Of 1863 was made with the Nez
Pesces and duly signed by large major
ay Of IL head men Of the nation, includ
ing Lawyer, the chief Of the nation. 1t
vas ratified BY the senate, with few
nod6catioss, in 1867, which were acced
I'd 70 By the nation. 1t is claimed that
JosepA did not sign this treaty, good
reason for this, he was not then chic
nor leader among his people, nor of suth
Gent age 70 be cousid ercd head man
This treaty ceded to the government al
the lands heretofore occupied and claimee
BY tho Nez Percc tribe, save what wa,
included in the present reservation. The
ladians Of the tribe by that treaty agrece
that within specified time named in ,h'
treaty, they would go and remain upo,
the reservation a. now bounded and tn,
Government agreed to pay the Indian
Tor oil the improvements they owned out
sids tho present reservation ut their mp
praised value. No complaint has eve
been nsde BY the Indians on account o
sos-paymeut for these improvements
although the Government was dilatory il
making the appraisement. The Wallow'
country which Joseph afterwards elaine,
= belosging to him was included in tn
Ands ceded to the Government. The Gov
neus ordered it surveyed and thrown ope'
70 settlement BY American citizens. 1t VIA
% surveyed and thrown open to settle
neat, and the settlement began in goo,
earnest, and neither Joseph nor his pco
PIE 1t 6rst made objection. But atte
. while 1t the instance Of some whit
nea Joseph was induced to set up CLAIM
70 that country, on the ground that hi
fathers name was not to the treaty, h
having been . subordinate chief in tn
nation. and contes, Of right to the Ian
vs. made before the Indian Department
4 Warrington, and for the purpose @
settling tbs contest amicably, con-
nssioa Of I've men from the Eas
vas appointed to proceed to Lapwa
IL headquarters Of the Indian nation
and summon Joseph and such us wer
setaise Up adverse claims to the Govern
Deae aud hear and determine the ques
tioA That commission came here am
summoned Joseph and his people /
hesr their complaints, Joseph came an
ks tina would not hold an audienc
with tie commissioners, aud when the
- soos Of them did get an audience, h
Va Aaughty, austerc and de6au
and faally left without maxim
ny attempts 70 have the matter adjuste
a.icably. The commissioners the
gathered al the facts in the case frou
cher Isdias and from the citizens, an
made Up decision to the effect that ur
dr. TIE lsdisn laws the Nez Perces as
nation, Joseph and his people had n
right to that couatry which had not bce
fully ceded 10 the Government, save tn
right 70 Wit the fishing and huutin;
srossds there, without interfering will
the agricultural rights Of American ei,i
zess Who had settled, or might hereafter
settle there, and the said commission
nade their report, which was published