Bismarck weekly tribune., 1888-10-19
Speeches by John Grass, Sitting Bull
and Others, All Against the
Proposed Measure.
Grass Brings up Previous Treaties
and Asks That Their Terms
be Kept.
He Wants the Government to Wait
Awhile e-Grover to Consider
Their Views.
From the Sioux Standpoint.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15.-The Sioux chiefs
appeared at the interior department to-day.
Secretary Villas assured the Indians that
he was glad to see them and requested that
they proceed to state their objections to
opening the Sioux reservation. AS the
secretary took his seat Sitting Bull stepped
forward and after shaking hands with the
secretary, commissioners and others, said:
"My friends, have but few words to say.
l call you my friends because am one of
your people. belong to this government.
AS we have our own views OF this law we
wish to speak to you as man to man.
hope everything will be done in quiet
manner. This is all have to say" John
Grass, who is sometimes spoken Of as the
PREMIER OF THE SIOUX NATION,
was the next speaker. Gall my friends
know" said he, "that never intended to
the clauses in it displeased me and l told
my friends what they were. The first
thing want to mention is the treaty of
1868 and ask you to promptly meet the
obligations Of that treaty. Pay us what
ever rightfully belongs to us. And then
the Black Hills treaty of 1876-why is it
that we are not paid what is
DUE US UNDER THESE TREATIES?
What is lacking?" Grass produced a re-
servation map of Dakota territory and
pointing out the Sioux reservation said
that its western boundary line should be
long way back from its present location
andinstead Of there being but II 600, ,000acres
in the part which the government proposed
to buy there should be much more, This
western boundary line, he declared, had
been changed without their knowledge or
consent. They owned lands far west of
the present line as they. had never sold
them. We want $1.25 per acre-just what
the government sells its lands for. We are
want to wait awhile and then l have
learned since have been here that the
white people Of this country
DO NOT WANT
our reservation opened. BY the treaty of
1868 you promised schools and teachers for
twenty years and these years have gone by
and we have had schools only for the past
ten years. He then spoke of the provisions
of the law respecting division of the re-
duced reservation and said that but small
part of the reservation is fit for farming.
abling those entitled to 100 acres to get
800. He said that instead OF heads of
families getting double the amount of
lands given to women and children the
latter should have
AS MUCH OR MORE
as their fathers. Old men would soon die
and therefore do not need so much lands,
but the young ones had their way to make
and would need all they could get, and
then he wanted it distinctly understood
that when the young people married the
woman should not lose her land. Put the
key which opens our reservation in your
pocket for awhile. Don't be in hurry.
Ascertain first whether after our lands are
gone we will have enough left to do us.
Mad Bear spoke Of the failure of the gov
ernment to keep the treaties of 1858 and
1876 and asked how they could be expected
TO enter into still other agreements when
the old ones had never been fulfilled.
White Ghost and Drifting Goose, both of
ton to the bill and stated chat measures
had been adopted to frighten Indians into
signing. They said that the members of
the commission had
USED HARSH LANGUAGE
towards the Indians. When the Indians
finished speaking the secretary said that
ell the speeches had been carefully written
down and would be laid before the presi-
dent who would give careful consideration
to the matter. Whatever decision was
reached, the secretary added, would be an
nOunced to them on Wednesday. He
hoped at that time they would be prepared
to say whether they would approve or dis.
approve of the decision which would then
be known. Adjourned.
The Agreement Concluded.
WINNIPEG, Oct. l6.-The legislature was
formally prorogued to-day. The govern
ment announces the conclusion of the
agreement with the Northern Pacific to
build into the SOuris district q new line to
be aided by q provincial guarantee OF bonds
to the extent Of 81, 1000 per mile.
Honoring the Kaiser.
NAPLES, Oct. le.-This city has never
witnessed so stirring scene nor been more
crowded with visitors since the reception
to Garibaldi in 1850 as during the present
visit OF Emperor William.