Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1884-04-03
INDIAN RESERVATION BILL


hostile Ncs Perces into Montana. 1t fol
lowed up the discussion in 1873. and it
was aided by A. J. Cain, Esq. now de-
ceased0 who addressed a letter TO Gen.
Howard, then in command Of this depart
meut. The General gave to the letter his
endorsement in the Oregonian. Soon
after Rev. Geo. Atkinson came out in a
letter endor.in: the severalty system and
Others followed. But meantime several
Journals Of the West AZ well As those Of
the East, opposed the plan, as We SUPPOSE,
because they thought they were do
ing Gods service in unfolding the Indian
bureau, who then had fas, hold upon
the United States Treasury, and to break
up the reservation system and withheld
the annuities would rob them Of lar &c
spoils that we're constantly going into the
hands of the agents and contractors Of the
1uOldu DuFedu. Dut tiic t1tuAAC anu
House have had the benefit Of quite a
thorough investigation and exposition OF
the fraudulent workings Of that old .ys
ten, and Of seeing that not more than
one fifteenth of the money annually arpro-
priated by Congress os,ensibly for the
benefit Of the Indian ever reached the in
dias in any form whatever, and their eyes
were made open to perceive these frauds
and as the dispatch says upwards Of six
years this question has been before Con-
g1ss and while the Senate has, on two
or three occasions expressed their readi-
noes to change plans, yet the House has
never yet come to this side Of the question
and even now the measure is liable to
hang Ere in the House, unless strenuous
efforts are made to secure the passage OF
the Senate bill at this session The head
Of the Interior Department is all right,
and no is the President. Now we Of this
section believe that the Nez Perez Indians
barring those hostiles who have been sent
70 Indian Territory, are in as good condi
ton and state of progress as any on the
coast, to avail themselves of the severalty
system, and will as readily adopt habits
Of civilization as any and if let alone by
4 few who have come back from Indian
Territory since 1877, will gladly accept
the plan and take mp lands in severaliy
There however are few who are ambi
fious to be chiefs, who dislike to submit
to the idea that the common Indian Of the
tribe should have any voice IN their gov
eminent, and they are shrewd and subtle
il their efforts to misrcpresent the design
Of the Government in making the propo-
sition to grant to them lands in scvoralty
and we are informed that few whites.
from motives difficult to fa,hom, secretly
encourage the Indians not to accept the
sfer Of the Goyeynment in this respect.
These parties should be fcrreted out and
exposed. Their opposition is secret and
destitute Of all manly principle. We can
not tell what the House will do with this
Senate bill, but hope that they, too, will
sec suficient Of its Importance to pass it
aud have il become law Of this Congress
! which event i. is highly important that
tAe people Of this section both whites and
Indians represent by petition to the Pres
ideaf, that he in the discretion allowed
hin under the law, include the Nez perces
among the first Of the tribes who are to
b permitted to avail themselves of the
INV. This has been asked for both by
petitions from the people and by memor-
ials from our Legislature in some form,
bai resesal Of these petitions aud me-
norials would now be in order right upon
the heels Of the passage of this new Sen.
ate bill. Petitions from the leading L.
indians would also be in order Just at
THU time, aud even our action Just at this
time might have IN important bearing in
ev1 Of the House passing this Senate
61l during the present session. Let all
white citizens be up aud doing in this
n'atser and Encouraging all opposition
wherever found. Let all Indians who
have the welfare Of themselves and their
family, join with their white brethren in
urging this sevaalts system as the surest
foundation for their civilization and i'm.
lrevcnont. as well as increase of individ-
uA wealth and independence. They
have the best class of lands to select from
70 make their permanent homes. They
will have the aid of the Government to
settle upon their lands. They will have the
avails Of the sale Of the lands not selected |
in due time to make them rich. They
will have the example of industrious and
skilled whites in farming among them all |
to make their condition better.