Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1886-08-07
REDUCING TIE RED MANS PLAY
GROUND.

q Hioe ooiu1ioh vi aiidiIs now peHAiiiS
which point towards a reduction OF
the reservations. The commission
recently appointed is made up of at
least two gentlemen who ought to be
posted upon the indian question. We
know Of a certainty that the
venerable Bishop Whipple is a
man Of broad views and
with all his scholarly attainments
is embued with good, hard western
common sense. lie has been the
friend Of friends to the red nan but
is not a sentimentalist. A residence
Of many years in Minnesota in early
days when that state was the scene Of
Indian atrocities enabled the Bishop
to learn their real character and their
actual needs. Bishop Whipple is a
progressive man who believes in fos-
tering laudable enterprises. A better
selection for commissioner could not
have been made. Mr. Larabee's
long experience in Indian affairs
ought to make him a fair minded,
competent man. Mr., Wright was
probably appointed on the same prin-
ciple that a juryman is selected. He
must neither know of his own knowl-
edge or ever have read anything about
the case. But if he is a broad mind
ed man without prejudices las a jury
man should be) he too may prove to
have been a wise selection.
The commission was appointed by
the Secretary of the Interior under a
provision contained in the Indian APP
preparation act, approved May 25th,
1886, to negotiate with certain tribes
and bands Of Indians in Minnesota,
Northern Montana, Dakota, Wash
ington and Idaho for the reduction Of
existing reservations, and for the set
Element Of other land matters.
The commission is instructed to
negotiate with the Chippewas in Min
nesota for their removal and CONSOLE
dation and permanent 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 Greek reservations. It
is stated that the condition of all
these tribes and bands is deplorable
IN the extreme. on account of the I'M
productiveness Of the lands Of their
present reservations, most of which is
covered with pine timber, and in the
case Of the Lake Winnebago and
Leech Lake reservations the construc-
ton Of dams and reservoirs at the
headwaters of the Mississippi by the
government has induced disastrous
overhows. Damages thus sustained
will b considered in connection with
the negotiations. At the
FORT BERTHoLD RESERVATION.
In Dakota, the commission will ar
range for the purchase by the govern
ment Of a portion of the reservation.
It is learned that these Indians have
more land than they need, but have
no money with which to purchase
stock. From Fort Bertho1d the com
mission will go to Northern Montana
to negotiate with the Blackfeet, Pie
gans, Gros Ventres, Assinaboines and
River Grows for the purchase of a
portion of their reservation, which
contains about 100000 acres, Or
about 100000 acres. according to
their views Of the Indian Office, in ex-
cess Of their needs; also to negotiate
with the upper and middle bands of
Spokane and Pen d'Oreilles, in Wash
ington and Idaho territories, for their
removal to the Colville, Joco Or Cmur
d'Alene reservations, with the con-
sent Of the Indians on these reserva-
tions, and for the cession of the lands
thus vacated to the government; and
also to arrange with the Occur d'Alene
tribe 70 the cession to the government
of their lands outside the limits of
their reservation. By the act of May
Is, no agreement entered into by the
commission with the Indians can take