St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-23
Instructions Issued by the Interior De-
partment to the Commissioners Now
in This State.
The Intention Is to Reduce the Reserva-
tions and Augment the Public
Domain.
4 Cloud on Mr.. Prices Nomination
by the Prohi bitionists--In the
Third District.
Loud Call for Wilson from Houston
County Condition of Corn Crop
in Various States.
The Indian Problem.

appointed IN compliance with the provisions
IF the Indian appropriation bill, are of
great interest TO the Northwest. i'll both
philanthrophic and commercial aspect.
The general policy outlined is the reduction
9f reservations, the consolidation of bands
md tubes, and the augmentation Of the
public domain. There are problems to
follow in the train of this policy if carried
But, which will deeply concern Indian
helpers and workers. To reduce the hunt
ing grounds of the Indian, and give his
land to the white mans plow, and his
forests to the white mans ak, mean for
him the alternative of owning his land III
severalty on which to earn his living and
become al intelligent citizen, or starvation
and ignorance in a state of vagabondage.
ACTING COMMISSIONER UPsHAw,
In speaking Of these instructions, empha-
sizes distinctly the statement that the
primary object is to better the Indian, not
to get his land.
mo one he continued, sis going to cut
pine or build railroads where either pursuit
will injure the Indians. If their lands are to
be taken, other lands must be given them,
and they must have guidance and encourage
ment in learning how 10 live on that land like
white men. The Indian race must eventually
succumb in all its methods and means of SUBJ
Sistence to the overtowering civilization that
Is pressing upon it. We have boundless con-
fdence in this commission. All its members
are tried men. We expect great deal from
their work-many changes doubtless-but all
for the best"
The commissioners are Hon. John Y.
Wright. Rt. Rev. II. B. Whipple and
Charles F. Larabee, Esq. The instructions
are signed by Commissioner Atkins. Re-
fer1'ng to the Minnesota reservations, he
says:
THE CHIEF OBJECT
10 De accomplished is the removal and con-
soldat1oL upon the White Earth reservation
In the northwestern part of the state of the
several tribes and bands Except the Red
Lake lndia'ls, now occupying several widely
separated reservations in different parts of
The state, as wei as the scattered bands of
non-reServation indians belonging to one or
The other of said t-ibes, and the cesson to the
United States of the abandoned reservations
for a just and fair Consideration. ALI of the
various tribes or banos have treaty relations
with the government AID hold their reServa-
lions by virtue OF treaty stipulations. 1t is
proposed that the negotiations shall include
the Indians of Lake Winnebagoshish (which
embraces Cass Lake and White Oak Point
Leech Lake, Mile Lac, Fon du Lac, Grand
Portage, Bots Forte and Deer Creek reserva-
lions, but especially is it desirable to effect
the removal of the Lake Winnebagoshish.
Leech Lake, White Oak Point and Mile Lac
Indians. Their reservations are but poorly
adapted to their wants, and they are making
but little if any progress. On the Fond du
Lac reservation forty allotments of eighty
acre tracts have been made to individual In
Hans under the third article of the treaty
Of Sept. 80. 1854, for which patents have
been ordered and are being prepared. That
fact should not be overlooked in your
DEALINGS WITH THE INDIANS
Of that reservation. 1t appears to have been
the policy, as Indicated by several bills that
the subject, to include the Fond du Lac
Grand Portage and Bots Forte Indians in the
plan of consolidation at White Earth, and tue
came course was proposed in Office letter of
Jan. IA, 1886. These Indians belong to that
branch of the great Chippewa nation known
as the Chippewas of Lake Superior, with
which are classed also the Red Cliff, Bad
River Ola Pointe reservation), Lac oe Flam-
beau and Lac Court d'Oreille Indians
in the neighboring state of Wisconsin, and it
is altogether probable that they would greatly
prefer to unite with them on one or the other
of their reservations in that state, rather
than with the Mississippi Chippewas at White
Earth. An effort was made at one time to
remove the Fond du Lac band to the Bad
River LA Pointe) reservation in Wisconsin,
and provision was made therefor by act of
congress approved May %, 1872. The act pro-
vided also for the appraisemeut and sale of
the Fond du Lac reservation. The consent of
the Indians was made a prerequisite condi-
ton, however, both to the removal and sale.
1t appears their consent was obtained, and
appraisers were appointed and instructed in
their duties, but owing to some dissatisfac-
ton which subsequently manifested itself
on the part of the Indians, the appraisement
was abandoned Nov. s, 1878, and the removal
was never accomplished You will be able to
determine what particular reservation would
be best suited to their wants, or whether in
deed it is desirable under all the circum-
stances to remove them at all, after making
A PERSONAL INVESTIGATION
of their condition and progress, and thor
ough inspection of their present reservation
So also with the Bots Forte and Grand Por-
tage bands. 1t may be found altogether i'm
practicable to remove either of the three
bands referred TO, and the question as to
whether negotiations shall be undertaken to
that end must be left to your own discretion.
There can be no question to the removal
and consolidation at White Earth of the other
bands, the Lake Winnebagoshish, Leech Lake
and Mile Lac reservation Indians and it is TO
be hoped that the Indians will embrace the
opportunity now offered to them and give
their willing consent to the proposal. The
Red Lake Indians have a good reservation,
and 1t is not intended to attempt their re-
moval, nor is it considered at all desirable 1t
is important, however, that they should be
included in the negotiations. They have much
more land than they need or can ever make
use of, and it is understood that they are will
to part with an ample portion OF it. Indeed,
they have quite recently so expressed them
selves. The reservation is rich in pine
timber, and the sale of q portion
of it only at anything like tits
value would make them rich. If 1t should be
found that the White Earth reservation is
not large enough to furnish good homes for
all the Indians who may be willing to go
there efforts should be made to secure por-
ton of the Red Lake reservation to meet the
additional requirements. If the Red Lake
Indians could be induced to share
THEIR DOUBTFUL RESOURCES
with the other tribes e.aS Bands when the
consolidation shall have been effected if
would be extremely gratifying. Some of the
reservations would probably not sell for
much more than the cost of removing the
Indians to White Earth, whereas one or two
of them would bring very considerable sum-
If, in addition to the removal and consoda-
ton of all the tribes III the White Earth and
southern portion of the Red Lake reserva-
ton, the Indians, including the Red Lakes,
would agree to allow the moneys arising from
the sale of their lands to be made common
fund for the benefit of all-in other words, if
they would pool their separate interests and
funds or their funds alone-it would be most
satisfactory to this Office and
think to the friends of the
Indians generally. 1t would simplify mat
tiers greatly and give all the Indians an equal
right in the direction of self-support and a
better civilization. think an effort should
be made to that end. You will be expected
TO visit the several reservations throughout
the state and if necessary, the reservation
in Northern Wisconsin occupied by the Lake
Superior Chippewas l do not deem it
necessary to give specific instructions as to
the manner or order in which
THE NEGOTIATIONS
snail be conducted. You will adopt such
methods of procedure as in your Judgment
will be likely to produce the best results.
bearing in mind that whatever agreements
you may enter into must be executed in
proper form for presentation to congress. 1t
Is desirable that all agreements should be ex-
ecuted by not less than three-fourths of the
tribes bands parties thereto. but