Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-12-25
The Sioux Reservation.

We have been so often disappointed in
the opening of this reservation TO settle
ment, that we have lost confidence in it
being done in this generation. We re-
member that five years ago, this winter,
il was urged with intelligence and abili-
ty by q committee sent from the Black
Hills, but without effect. Say what you
please the east is not willing to do any
thing for the advancement of the west.
The eastern and middle states who have
so long controlled the legislation of this
country, will not surrender power as
long rs they can avoid it, and the open
ing of the Sioux reservation and its
speedy settlement, would be means of
increasing the wealth and power Of the
west While no open opposition may
be made, there certainly is concealed
one No reasonable objection can be
made to opening this reservation out
side of a political one. That there is an
influence somewhere is evident, for if
there had been none, it would have
been opened long ago. A more i'm
| portant or just measure has not been
presented to congress in the last fifteen
years, and some concealed reason has
certainly prevented successful action.
| This question is Of vast Importance to
Dakota and especially to the Black
Hills country. With the opening Of
this reservation settlement would
| speedily extend from the Missouri river
west to the Hills. Railroads would be
extended and we would have direct
eastern connections and our commercial
relations would at once be established
with the trade centres. Our isolation
would end, and improvements would
be commensurate with our increased
facilities. 1t may be opened this win
ter, as claimed, but we have no conf
dence that it will be done.--Hot Springs
Star, 10th.
Our esteemed contemporary evinces a
degree Of encouragement, and lack Of
confidence in the matter of the early
opening of the Sioux reservation, which
is scarcely warranted by the present
favorable outlook for the consummation
of that very desirable object. We con-
fess that it is matter to which much
time has been devoted that large
amount Of money has been expended
in the many fruitless efforts to secure
the boon that repeated failures in this
direction have a tendency, as in all
others, to dishearten and discourage
further effort upon the part of Of those
who have been so frequently foiled.
But we can see no good reason, at this
juncture, to indulge in other than the
highest feelings of confidence in the
early success Of this measure. The late
assurances Of prominent railroad offici-
ais that there would be no opposition
| from that source, and tho lively interest
manifested by the business men of ST.
Paul, Minneapolis, and Sioux City are
calculated to inspire confidence and
present features more favorable TO the
| success Of the measure than have been
presented at any time in the past
If the efforts in this direction are
maintained. and not allowed TO be with
drawn, and misappled in behalf of the
hopeless statehood scheme, the barrier
! which lies between the Black Hills and
the trade centers Of the east, will sue
| cumb TO the open sesame Of united
western effort before the close of the
| present session Of congress.