The Progress., 1888-02-18

determination which 1T claims for
itself when discussing matters af-
fecting the Mississippi Chippewas,
but it ventures a few remarks here
as the champion Of the Indian in
general.
We judge that Mr., Nelson from
his standpoint can point out the
objectional features Of the agree
ment" he opposes, and beyond a
doubt in many instances his OBJ
jections will prove irrefutable.
Perhaps on the whole his proposed
1litute may be more 10 the adj
vantage Of those Indians immedi-
ately interested, but we neyerthe-
believe that his bill does not cover
the whole ground Of remedy.
It is asserted in some quarters
that there is a power unseen be-
hind his bill; that it has faint
SAVIOR Of jobbery. We do not join
in this hue and cry of stop thief
for in our analysis Of the language
Of this bill we fail to discern the
traces of any ''fine Italian hand"
Neither do we assert that it is abb
solutely free from suspicion. We
simply know nothing for or
against this accusation. This
much however we WILL say, that
we shall need stronger proof than
the mere echo Of sounds which
seem to issue from no particular
spot, before we can believe that
Mr.. Nelson has lent his aid to any
nefarious schemes. In regard to
his bill The Progress believes that
it ought to be modified in many
respects. For one thing, it believes
that the bill does not provide for
a sufficiently large permanent
fund for this people while in the
transition state.
What might be sufficient as a
means of assistance for a commu-
nifty already well along in the
paths Of civilization, and there
fore to certain degree capable of
exercise in the various industrial
arts, will not suffice in this case,
for the residents of this reserva-
tion are mostly still in the back
grounds Of savagery.
In the very nature of the case,
ample means must be provided to
meet the wants Of this people. By
judicious legislation the Govern.
ment can secure to this people
goodly income from the sale of
lands to be ceded, and therefore
need not be at any cost beyond
what it can reimburse to itself
sooner or later.
Again in regard to that section
which provides for allotment in
severalty. This bill shares with
the agreement an error in re-
gard to acreage. A precedent has
been ESTABLISHED in treaty
clause with the Mississippi Indi-
ans and which ALLors 76O acres
to each and every Individual regard
less of age and estate. It is true
that the so-called agreement with
the White Earth Indians would
make change, but it should be
understood that this is ONE of the
features upon which the opposi-
tion seek to- prevent the ratification
of that agreement. Of course it is
only precedent, and need not be
taken as the guide, if the Red
Lakers are willing to enter into
any arrangement to be content
with less.
And in connection with this
section some regard should be paid
to the natural desire of the Indian
respecting the nature of the in
strument securing land to the al
lottee. While no fault can rea-
sonably be found with the period
of trust (50 years., still it would
better secure the faith of the In.
dians, could the instrument be of
greater security than a mere GER
tifcate.
It is rumored that opposition ex-
lists to authority, which has or will
be done without the sanction of
those Indians interested and who
reside in what is known as the