The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-08-05
IMPORTANT INDIAN COMMISSION.
For the Reduction Of Indian Reserva-
tiOns and tho Settlement Of Troubles
Generally.

GoMor1lly.
A commission, consisting Of Hon. John
V. Wright OF Tennessee, Bishop IL. b.
Whipplc OF Minnesota, and Charles +. Lar
rabee OF the Indian Office, has been ap-
! pointed by the secretary OF the interior
under provision contained in tho Indian
appropriation act. approved May 10,
1886, to negotiate with certain tribes and
bands OF Indians in Minnesota, Northern
Montana, Dakota, Washington and Idaho
,, for the reduction ofexisting greservationsand
; for the settlement OF other land matters.
The commission is instructed to negotiate
with tho Chippawas in Minnesota for their
removal and consolidation and perma-
nent establishment upon the White Earth
reservation. This will include the Indians
OF Lake Winnebago, Leech Lake, Mile Laos
Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Boise Fort
and Deer Creek reservations.
At the Fort Berthold reservation in
Dakota, the commissioners will arrange Tor
the purchase by the government OF q
portion Of the reservation. 1t is learned
that these Indians have more land than
to purchase stock. From Fort Berthold
the commissioners will 60 to Northern
Montana to negotiate with the Blackfeet,
Piegans, Gros Ventres, Assinabones and
River Crows for the purchase OF u portion
of their reservation, which con-
tains about 22,O00,0OO acres, or
about 100000 acres according to the
views of the Indian Office, in excess OF their
needs; also to negotiate with the upper and
middle bands of Spokane and Pen d.
Oreilles, in Washington and Idaho Terri
tories, for their removal to the Colville,
Joco or Ceur 'Alene reservations, with
the consent of the Indians on these reser-
vations, and for the cession OF the lands
thus vacated to the government; and also
to arrange with the CGur d Alene tribe for
the cession to the government of their
lands outside the limits of their reserva-
ton.
Commissioner Atkins said a few days
ago that immediate steps would be taken
by the Indian bureau for tho relief OF the
Indians at Leach Lake and the Winnebago.
shish tribes. commission composed OF
j. V. Wright OF Tennessee, Charles +. Lar
rabee OF the Indian office, and Bishop H.
z. WhipDle OF Minnesota has left to make
the first investigation into the condition OF
these Indians and their rights to the prem.
Uses. Mr.. Atkins said:
l believe that these Indians have been
badly treated, and that the government
owes them money which should have been
paid long ago. They are suffering for the
necessities OF lfe and my first step will be
to relieve their immediate distress. The
$25,O that congress has appropriated
will be laid out only after thorough
investigation by the commission.
I believe that we have the best
commission that could be secured
for the Indian work. Judge John V.
Wright is an honored citizen of my own
state, who has been a lawyer and judge
there for many years. He is we'll read
nan, of sound judgment, and will make q
valuable member of the commission. Mr..
Larrabee has long been connected with the
Indian bureau and knows the rights OF the
Indians under our laws and treaties as well
as any person in the interior department.
Bishop Whipple, who has kindly consented
to serve on the commission, you OF course
know.
An evening paper says OF the commits
sion:
They Will proceed to carry out their in
structions. Ii successful one great result OF
the work OF the commission will be the
throwing open to public settlement OF a
large amount Of rich and valuable land for
which the Indians will OF course be fully
compensated.