The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1888-08-03
THE SIOUX COMMISSION.
4 DAYS SESSION.

1,lOO IAdlN dhult IAGihuH Oh Nnb feSeFNA.
ton, less than 100 were absent. The com.
missioners appointed to confer with the
indians with regard to the opening Of the
reservation have shown their fitness Tor
tnelr positions by the good impression
they have made on the Indians, who, In
private council voted unanimously against
the treaty.
NotN outstanding the good impression
created by the commissioners, it is eyi.
dent hat the Indians are opposed to the
treaty, and that il the proposition Is sub.
mittsd will refuse to sign unless they un.
dergo a very radical change. Chief Gall
was seen after adjournment and asked if
be would sign. He replied that he would
not, and every chief who has been seen
gives the same answer.
An attempt will be made to change the
minds OF those who are inclined to sign.
Sitting Bull has not been brought back to
the reservation, and it is reported by the
Indians that he will not arrive for several
days although private advices to the agent
indicate that he will be there.
1t is believed by those in authority that
Sitting BUN has lost all his influence with
his people, but in this they are deceived.
A number of circulars giving the text OF
the proposed treaty were laid IN a table
near the door. The Indians were instrHc-
ted to tax them il they so desired, Not
w~ithstanding the statement OF the inter.
prefer that they weresimply for the inform
alton Of the Indians and that their &C.
ceptance would in no way effect the treaty,
they marched by without even looking at
them. They we're afraid that the taking
OF the circulars would be an evidence OF
their willingness to accept the treaty and
very few were carried from the hall. After
the Indians were told to take the circular,
one Of the chiefs rose and said, "We are
asked to take these papers while one OF
our great chiefs IL not here. When he
comes back II he tells us that these papers
are all right we will take them, but we will
not take them while he Is away"
There was no mistake as to what was
meant. Sitting Bull is the only great
chiet, and az 10 is we'll known that he is
bitterly opposed to the treaty. the assur.
ance that his consent will gain the con-
sent OF the Indians is poor consolation.
Another fact which will surprise those who
have believed that the Indians will con-
sent to the opening OF the reservation is
that Red Cloud, the great chief OF the Pine
River Agency is opposing it. Several
letters from Red Cloud ere now in the
possession OF the commission, showing
that he not only opposes the treaty in his
own vicinity, but that he has been en-
deavoring to increase the opposition
among the Indians here. The only ground
for hope is that the strength Of the com
mission win overcome the prejudice OF tie
Indians, but the halfbreeds h are
|. here do not believe this possible.
! II the reservation Is opened for settlement
uLder the proposed treaty the cominis-
sioners will nave accomplished a great
work and earned the lasting gratitude oil
the people OF Dakota. They have a great
work before them. It now looks as though
the 11.000, 900 acres viii net be opened
for settlement
SECOND DAY.
On the 25th Sitting Bull was still report
ed absent, but the council went on the
same. Judge Wright occupied most Of the
day explaining the provisions OF the pro-
posed treaty. He was listened to respect
fully, but so far as can be learned no
change in the sentiment of the Indians has
been effected. Mad Bear and other chiefs
talked against the treaty, but Black Bull,
who has already adopted the ways oil
white men and runs a little farm about
ten miles out from the agency, is willing
TO sign it. in tho private council Gall
Two Bears, John Grass and other chiefs
talked against the treaty and declared
they would not sign. Chairman Pratt
will be the next speaker. It viii require a
great deal Of argument to get even q
foothold at this agency, and the com
mission realizes that it has a great
task before it. The Indians will talk as
long as the agent allows them and extra
rations last. The commissioners are
presenting the case in the strongest posi-
BILE way to she Indians and II dealing with
white people could closethe negotiations ~
one day, buttbe Indians are superstitious.
They remember the Black Hills treaty.
They realize they got the worst OF it In the
sale OF the land, and say the white men
beat them because they were smarter,
that they intended to sell only the ground
and not what was In it. They now think
that perhaps there is great wealth Ia the
soil that the government now wants and
they are liable to dispose OF It too easy.
That's what Gall means when he says
1--WE must talk SLOW
THIRD DAY.
Councils with the indians we're held
again. Nearly the entire 5000 Indians ot
the reservation were present at the agency.
The act dividing and orening the great
Sioux reservation was AGAIN read and in
tsrpted to the Indians and clearly and
fully explained Go them. So far nothing
has occurred to indicate their opinions.
They are il good temper, disposed TO listen
and are considering the proposition. 10
one has yet spoken on their part. Ahey
have asked for time for consideration un-
til tomorrow. when sometEing denhate
may be obtained. The commissioner arg
very hopeful OF q favorable conclnslon.
The Indians in their own councils, Wnlcn
have been held nightly since the com
mission arrived, have been diyided1n their
views. AS Is usual with the Indians wnen
anything new is proposed opposition, sim-
ply on account 81 It's newness, ome 70
the front.
FOURTH DAY.
i Ii ia believed that John Grass, the cnlei
Justice 81 the Sioux nation. has been woa
over to sign she treaty, but as he has Peen
considered sort Of iavorite with ths
whites il Is doubtful II his influence viii
amount to much. Rev. Cleveland ana
Chairman Pratt have both spoken in re
council. but the Indians continue g nolu
private councils every nieht 40 wnicn lily
Teiterate their hostility TO the treaty sis-
tins Bulls prolonged absence cannot peac.
eonnted for in 1ny other way than tpal ~
q makiue mischief In other agencies. Lone
T)ae Who a aae 81 the most r~reconeiaaole