New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-29
NO TREATY FOR THE SIOUX.
THE COMMISSIONERS AT STANDING ROCK
DISAPPOINTED.
CHIEF JOHN GRASS SPEAKS FOR ALL HIS TRIBE
THREATS FROM COMMISSIONER PRATT
ME INDIANS MAKE SHARP COM
NENTs ON THE OBSERVANCE OF
rnr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE }

fnr rrLBGRAPa TO THE TRrBUSEJ
Standing Rock, July 2s.-1he first formal ex-
preston of opinion by the Indians to the Com
missioners with regard to the opening Of the Sioux
Reservation was given to-day The Indians were
in council until daylight this morning, and all
of the night their speeches could he heard for
mile. Their orators arc loud takers, and as they
look upon the attempt to open part of their vast
reservation as a blow at their future happiness
and prosperity, they grow earnest and eloquent
The leading speeches last night were made by Chief
Justice John Grass, Cottonwood, Big Head and
Mad Bear, and as every Indian was asked his
opinion. the spokesmen were well prepared to
give the Commissioners a definite answer this
morning. Gall, Mad Bear and Big Head, with
John Grass were chosen the orators, and finally
by unanimous vote of the tribe, Grass was made
the orator for to-day.
The Commissioners, who have been labOring
under the belief that they would be successful IN
their efforts TO secure the consent OF the In
dians, took their seats at q. m. and were soon
confronted by the orators and their tribes John
Grass, the bright Indian Chief Justice rose at
10 o'clock and addressed the Commissioners In
dlsniscd manner. He said tie Indians had been
listening for five days to the words OF wisdom
which fell from the lips of the smart men who
have been sent out by the Great Father, ana thau
il all the big words they had heard could be
gathered together they would be heavy enough
to crush every Indian on the reservation. lie
went back to the beginning. spoke of Adam ana
Eve, and said that the Indians now knew all
about that story, the whites had been among
them with their Bibles. He alluded to the Black
Hills treaty, saying that when the COMMISSIONERS
were out to make that treaty they told the
Indians that they wanted their consent to right
of way for railroad. This consent was given,
but before the Commissioners got back TO wash
ington they changed the papers so that they MADE
the Great Father believe that the Indians bad
signed away their lands, and they said 10 inc
Father:
See what we have got for YOU
This sally on the part of the smiling Indian
orator caused much merrlment III the cro"o'
Continuing, Grass said
We have talked this mater all over In our councils
You tell 10000 Of acres Of our land Is TO De
given the whltos and we are to get nly cents ior
every sold that sloo000o is to be advanced TO US
and that we are get per cent OF that Tor our
selves one-half OF this is be used for industrial
schools and we are get the other half This would
give about 81 each. (Laughter among the lndahs)
We do think this would make US very rich You tell
US that other Indian tribes TO be brought among US
This do want and IL is not pleasing to the oher
tribes All these things we have talked for five
nights, and all people tell me to say to you thas
they Will sign lhe Government owes US much
under our old treaties and hope that when you go
back to Washington you will try TO get 1t for u.s. You
have two papers sign, black, which is for
the Indians who say Yes" and red for those who
say No" our people say they will not sign the black
nor the rcd have counted us since you have been
here. You know JUST how many we are and wo all say
no. You have been with many days You have
other agencies TO visit and much work TO do You had
better 20 on you to sign This is all
VIC have to ray.
Grass delivered cunning speech, and was
loudly applauded by the Indians. Chief Gall
was then called upon to speak by the Commits
sioners, but he simply said
Everything that we have to say has been said That's
The unanimitv with which the Indians refused
TO sign was "A great surprise to the Commissioners,
especially to Chairman Pratt, who Is teacher or
the Indian school at Carlisle, Penn, ana VINO
brides himself on knowing the Indian character
It was evident from the speech made by Pratt
in reply that his association with Indian children
has driven from his head what little ne might nt
his remarks were threatening. and insulting ana
were so taken by the Indians. lie told them that
they would be forced to sign one paper or the
mcnt has been doing for the Indians In the
course Of his remarks he made allusion TO the Time
they were fighting and killing the whites ms
was one of the worst of his many mistakes, 1or Oh
all things the Indians want kept IN silence IL is
their wars with the whites. He told them
that it would not do for one man
that he represented them and that the commission
would not stand it. This was direct slap at
John Grass, who had been selected by the Indiahs
TO do their talking and affront to the Indians,
who had selected him and who had few no
mcnts before applauded him so enthusiastically.
Pratt was angry and ,peeyish' and showed 1T
plainly in his speech. lie has made sufficient
number of irritating speeches during his six days
work at the agency to prevent the signing OF the
Indians even If they were friendly to the PROPOSE
ton One Of these was TO intimate that the
whole tribe could be purchased for So In reply
John Grass said to Pratt in courteous, though
pointed speech
Before you tell Of what the whites have done Tor
u.s. at great country which was once ours ana
pay US what you have agreed in former treaties Don't
speak Of that again.
Pratt informed the Indians that their lands
could not be taken from them without the consent
Of three-fourths Of their number, and Grass re-
Piled
"Then the Black Hills still belong to u.s.
In referring to of the indlscreet speeches
You tell us that if we do not sign this paper
we turn our backs upon the Great Father lhs
puts great burden of shame upon us, and makes
us feel very bad