St. Paul daily globe., 1888-08-31
SIOUX WILL SIGN.
AT Least Those at Crow Greek
Agency Talk as if They Would.

Agency Talk as if They Would.
Special to the Globe.
CROW CREEK AGENCY, Dak., Aug.
30.-To-day's council was called to order
at 11:30 a. m. Maj. Anderson made the
first speech, and thanked the Indians
for the friendly manner in which the
commission has been received. He re-
viewed the history of the Winnebago
and Crow Creek reservations, and stated
that the Indians receiving ratiOnS here
had always desired to be separated from
the balance of the great Sioux nation,
and that the bill now before them for
their ratification gave them chance to
do SO. He also stated that certain per-
sons who were opposed to the
measure. were opposing. it to
further their own ends, and
that they were opposing the best inter
ests of all the indians. This created a
heartily indorSed the majors speech.
At the close of Agent Anderson's ad-
dress Judge Wright arose and informed
the Indians that he was the representa-
tive of the Great Father and that his
wish as to what they should do was also
the wish of the Great Father. The
judge told them that the Great Father
had
SPENT IN SUPPORTING THEM
many times the amount of money the
great tract lying between the Missis-
sippi river and the Pacific ocean and
Canada and the Gulf of Mexico had
cost the government and that the gov
ernmen had always provided for
the Indians, giving them every
thing they wished for. That the
wish of the great father should now be
carefully considered. Some of the
young Indians state that they will sign,
and that their numbers will be too large
to be frightened by the threats of vio-
lence on the part of those opposing the
the bill. Should they be mOlested they
will remember that they are men and
act as men. A number of the young
bucks. when told that they would not
have land enough should the reserva-
ton be opened, answered that when
their children got an education they
would not need to be helped, and that
many of them would 60 into the white
mems towns and engage in business,
the same as the white people do. They
said they would follow the customs of
the whites and as all the whites do not
farm there would be plenty of land for
all who wished it. Tomorrow the In
dians will again
UNLOAD THEIR ELOQUENCE
upon the commissioners, and the pros
pect appears to be very promising for
decided victory, as both factions of the
Indians will present their views in re-
gard to signing. All are quiet and Or
derly. and listened intently and with
courtesy to the speeches of the commits
sioners to-day. No bulldozing tactics
have been adopted at this agency by
the commissioners, but the commission
ers have represented the matter kindly
and plainly to the Indians, and in
formed them that they could sign as
they chose, but that they might get a
worse bill next time if they should not
accept the presidents offer. A council
was held last night by the Indians, and
about all on this part of the reservation
were present. A number of old men
spoke in opposition to the bill, and a
great rumpus was caused by several of
the young Indians, who delivered forci-
bic and fiery speeches in favor of the
bill. Hot discussion ensued, but the
young men held their position firmly.
The prospect here grows brighter for a
victory for the commission. Tonight
the Indians are holding private council
| and discussing the bill.