The Portland daily press., 1885-03-31
The Crow Creek Reservation.

prepared by the Maine Board of the woman's Ma
tional Indian Association.)
"We of the East do not realize that there are
among US nearly three hundred thousand hu-
man beings, over whose lives and property enc
man st Washington has been given absC lutte
power; who have no standing in court individ-
ually or collectively, being in law neither citi-
zens, aliens or foreign nation"
These words taken from pamphlet, elm
pressioDs of the Sioux Tribes in 1SS2,"'by
Henry S. Pancoast, reeur forcibly to the mind
in 1885, as we read that near tho close of the
last administration there was issued an execu.
tive order throwing open to public settlement
100000 acres Of land, more than one-half that
part OF the great Sioux reservation In Dakota
set apart for the Grow, Creek and Winneb bago
tribes. These reservations are adjoining tracts
on the east OF the Missouri river, established
for the use Of these Iudians as far back as
1868, by order of department, and again by
treaty in 1868. They number at present about
l,5eO, ore an inotfensive and industrious peo-
pie, among the most advanced in civilization
OF our Indian tribes. They have made prog
ress in farming aud their condition gave every
reason for announcement.
Two years ago, Secretary Teller appointed
three commissioners, Messrs. Edmunds, Teller
and Shannon to negotiate with the Sioux In
diaDs Of Dakota, for a reduction OF their reser-
vation. Finding 1t impossible to get the con-
sent of three-iourths OF the adult males, which,
under the treaty Of 1868, was necessary to an
agreement for cession OF reservation lauds,
they were instructed By Secretary Teller to
waive this provision and seek the consent of
the chiefs and head men only. Failing to Sc
cure even this from the Indians, the Senate
appointed committee to investigate the
whole matter This wGE done, and bill re-
ported which proposed the same end, desirable
in itself, and in such way as would be lust
to the Indians and honorable to the govern
ment. This bill had the unanimous vote OF
the Senate, was approved by the Commissioner
of Indian Affairs and the Secretary OF the H.
terror, and bad it become q law would have ac-
complished what the railroads, at whose in
stance it is understood the commission was ap-
pointed, and what the white people of Dakota
desired; so far, at least, as this can be har-
monized With any reasonable view OF the right
oil the Indians to home In that country.
While this bill was awaiting the action Of the
House, suddenly, without warning, without
the consent or knowledge of the Indian Bu-
reau, with no hint to the committee OF the
Senate, who had prepared the bill, aud whose
work is thus made of none effect, an execu-
tive order was issued, dated the 9th Of Febru-
aFy, 1885, which opens more than half Of the
old Wnnebago and Crow-Creek reservations
for immediate settlement by the whites Tha
order excepts from its operation all allotted
lands and all lands upon which Indians have
made improvements. 1t is the business of the
government to survey these allotments, also To
ul5tuOtl1 udfk buo DOuuOary lines OF the raa-
ervstions. Agent German, ia his last 70 mort
says, Constant applications are made to me
for sllotments OF land, by Indiane, who desire
to settle upon claims OF their own, make inn
provemehts and become property-holders in
severalty. Owing to the fact that have Al
surveyor to do the work, am compellad to
put these applicants off indefinitely. to their
great disccuragement and iDiury. !" The anawar
OF the Secretary OF the Interior Ia This OF 70
peated prayer for allotted lands and a marina
nent heme Is an order throwing open their
Ia Iands, oecGuSe UnSinproUed, TO white settlers.
II the newspapers are correct, on the next dav
after the publication of the order, two thous-
and settlers burst in upon the startled Indians,
ana to meet anticipated objections on their
part, car loads of muskets and ammunition
Were forwarded as affording the quickest
means Of convincing the Iudisn that he is an
intruder and must 90 elsewhere. It were well
worth the LABOR of some one possessed of an In
ves1igatug turn OF mind to search for one rea-
son why land should oe wrested from the na-
tive owners by the strong arm OF our govern
Inenti and gigen freely to the scum OF any na-
tion OF the Old World who come and ask for IL
-'no,ltake it.