St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-07-20
THE EEDS OF LO.
Bishop Ehippie Talks on the
,I.-

Bishop Whippie Talks OH the
Indian Before the Chamber.
At the meeting of the board of directors
of the chamber of commerce yesterday
morning the resolution offered at the last
meeting, asking the council to pass an
ordinance, to take effect on the 1st of
March next, to effectually prevent the sale
of ice in the city limits taken from the
Mississippi river, or any OF its lakes,
sloughs or bayous was adopted When
the resolution offered by the mercantile
committee, in favor of small bills, came up
for consideration, Dr.. Day took advantage
of the opportunity to make an artistic and
scientific speech. He was opposed to the
resolution on sanitary grounds. Small
bills were the sure vehicles upon which were
conveyed smallpox and all manner of con-
tagious diseases. He declared they were
the relics of barbarism and the indication
of poverty. Mexico and all the other
weak and WORKOUT governments issue
them. The doctor wished that he had
never seen bill of a less denomination
than S. or $40. On vote being taken the
resolution was lost.
IN BEHALF OF THE INDIANS.
Bishop Whipple appeared before the
board for the purpose of interesting that
body in behalf OF the Indians on the head
waters of the Mississippi. In order to reach
his hearers the bishop gave sketch of the
reservoirs and their establishment and of
the injury done by them to the Indians.
lie stated that when it was deemed advis-
able to establish the reservoirs the question
was raised as to whether or not the govern
ment had the right to enter upon the re-
servatons of the Indians and there locate
the reservoirs. The subject was brought to
the attention of the United States attorney
general, by the secretary of war, and the
written opinion of the former that the gov
eminent had no right or authority what
ever to go upon the reservation for such a
purpose was obtained. This opinion,
Bishop Whipple said, he would leave with
the president of the chamber, but before he
did SO he read short paragraph from it in
which the attorney general emphatically
states that the government cannot legally
locate the reservoirs upon the Indian terri
tory. Notwithstanding this opinion the
dams were directed to be erected. More
than a million of dollars were expended in
their construction. All the resources the
Indians nave are rice and fish. Nearly all
these resources are now destroyed. The
white fish have disappeared and
where they had gone the Indians did not
know. So much OF they reservations have
been occupied by the reservoirs that but
little land suitable to be cultivated is left
them. During his remarks the bishop re-
ferred TO the efforts that he, Gen. Sibey
Mr.. Gilfillan and Capt. Blakely had made in
behalf of these Indians. and said: 1--WE
have done all that we could do for them -
He also read a long letter from Missionary
Gilfllan, which told how the Indians are
suffering in consequence Of being deprived
by the overflow Of their lands and from the
opportunity of catching fish. The letter
further stated that large
TRACTS OF PINE LANDS
had been burned by the Indians. and that
the amount of pine that would be burned in
the future by them would be very great in
deed. He closed by appealing to the cham
Der to aid in inducing the government to pay
the Indians for the property that has been
taken from them. He had no hope of in
ducing the government to take hold of the
matter and right the Indians by direct ap-
peal to the government. The only hope he
had was in public opinion. If they could
bring that to bear upon the authorities at
Washington. something might be accom-
plished. This consideration was what
brought him before the chamber Some
discussion followed as to what was the best
and quickest way to get at the matter and
afford the relief needed. The subject was
finally referred to the executive committee
and made the special order of business for
next Monday morning, after which the
board adjourned.