St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-05
STUBBORN SISSETONS
They Refuse to Negotiate for
the Sale OF Their
Lands.
Chief RenYille and the Major
ity Claim They Have Been
WPonged.
When the Government Re-
deems Its Pledges They
Will Sell.
Montana Democrats Decline
to DiVvy the Senatorships
With Republicans.


There was a large representation of in
fluential Indians at the second council
with the Sisseton Sioux held to-day.
After prayer in the Dakota language
by Rev. Charles Crawford, Chairman
Whittlesey called for report
of the decision to which the
Indians as body had come.
Simons. Two Stars, Star and Swift Bear
stated that Chief Gabriel Reuville had
been selected at the Indian council to
voice the sentiment of the Sissetons.
Chief Renyile is ready speaker. tall
and commanding in person, inheriting
the Indian quality of firmness,
and gesticulates much. He said
they could not at present
talk about the sale of the surplus land
because of serious error in the survey
of the reservation, the nOn-payment of
arrears and the non-iSsue of the patent
until rececently. "This third bar is
now removed" he said. "There are
$4,000 acres left out that rightly belong
to u.s." Gen. Maxwell inquired who
surveyed the reservation, and Chief
Renville said it was Gen. Barrett who
not hitch on. Here long talk ensued
respecting the boundary line. The
chief. with map in hand and printed
treaties to subStantiate his claim, eXcit-
edly labOred to demonstrate
WHERE THE INJUSTICE LAY.
Mr.. Maxwell. who is thoroughly
posted in every particular, showed that
tha Indians had got by the survey of
Gen. Barrett more land than they had
before. That what they had lost OH the
east side they had more than
gained on the west side, and
that the two fOcalizing lines must
meet at Lake Kampeska. After
tedious discussion devoted to technicali-
ties. Gen. Whittlesey said the matter of
boundary line is not for the commits
siOnerS to decide: that question will
have to be decided by the supreme court
of the United States. Chief RenYille
then dwelt at length upon the
wrong done the Indians in tile
treaty purchase of 1872, whereby 5000
0gU of acres belonging to them, and the
Devils lake indians were sold to the
whites at 80 cents an acre, but the sur
vey showed more acres than the treaty
mentioned, SO that they got but 10 cents
an acre. I'VE have been wrOnged
again and again." he continued, 1.-THE
SONSIuiiCllb
You see we are barred from talking
about the sale of our surplus land. If
you will do all you can at Washington
to get the arrears bill through congress,
and we are justly paid for our
WRONGFULLY CONFISCATED LANDS
in 1862 we will then meet you in council
and give you a favorable answer about
selling" Chairman Whittlesey replied,
Eve all think as you do regarding your
claim. We have tried to get the bill
through and will continue to work
for you. We hoped you would
put the two things together-the
claim for arrears and the land sale
then one would help the other. You
and Will be distressed for it next spring
unless you look after: your best inter-
ests. Pcstpayment hurts you.
If you wait for the passage
of the claim bill it finally
might fail, and you would get nothing.
Put the two things together and we
can help you" Chief Renville an
swered: ''If we put both together and
congress does not ratify them, the
years of our need and sorrow are
extended. When the whites
lose one thing they make up
on another. We have learned to do the
same. If we lose the claim and wait.
our land will rise in valuation and we
get our money back" Tine claim. re-
| turned the chairman, ''shouId not pre-
clude the sale of the land for which you
are offered a fair piece" Chief Rem
vile adverted agaiu to their grievances
| charging that the government had
failed to help the Indians as agreed to-
ward civilization; that they know what
| Christianity means; that they had done
| all they could for the education of their
| children, but they have not been edu-
| Gated right to be
USEFUL LIKE THE WHITES.
1--WE have have been looking to the
| government for help some time," he
| added, 'but we have not received it."
| The chairman itemiZed the large
amounts they had received since 1862,
| ana Commissioner DiggS defended the
ments. the wide sympathy in
their behalf, and stated that the
new states of North and South Dakota
| had in congress men who are committed
! to see that the Indians have correct
survey and full payment of all ar
| TearageS: that the whites, as whole,
| both in the East and West. demand that
/ justice be given the Indians. The
! Dakota congressman, he said. will want
| your votes for reelection, and aside
| from their pledges will feel the neces-
sity Of helping you to get your full
| rights. We propose that the sale of
land shall neceSsitate the payment of
the arrearages. By pOstpOning you
| lose from $50. 200 to 100000
every year. Mr.. Maxwell showed the
| Indians that there is due them and will
be paid when congress acts upon it,
S3,624 by the Chicago, Milwaukee d st.
| Paul Railroad company for the right of
| running line through their reserva-
ton. Chief Renville wanted the COM
| mission TO push the claim for
THEY ARE SUFFERING NOW.
Gen. Whittlesey promised prompt ac-
ton TO get them the money. 1--WE want
the arrearage paid" responded the.
| chief. "befOre we will sell any land"
1 He turned and asked if the council sup
| ported his statement. The vote
| was strong in the affirma'
| tive, the negative not being put
| chairman asked if that was the final de-
| cisiOn, that they would not negotiate
for the sale of their land until their
claims were paid. Two Stars replied.
'If you stay here ten days it will not
change our deciSion.n Gen. Whetle-
sey SAID, 1--WE shall be very sorry
to be obliged to 90 back to
Washington and reporS that we can do
nothing with yor- Tomorrow we will
present a Piper for such of you as are
willing 20 sign it." Chief Renville sud
denly exclaimed, "You now throw a