Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-08-01

3,Oaa,OOO Acres of Land Opened 4
Observation-Disclosures Afraid Z


-
3,OaN,OO0 Acres of Land Opened 10
Recommendations Afraid OF
yaxes.
WHITE EARTH RESERVATION, MINI,
July 80. The last explanations OF the
act presented by the Chippewa commits
sion have besn asked for and answered
on this reservation, and the signature of
White Uioud, the leading chief has bssn
appended to the agreement.
at the opening of the session on SOtur-
day morning he wanted to know il it
could be msde certain that this reserva-
tion would be organic ID into a separate
county 80 they might control the amount
OF their taxes. He was reminded by his
son, Charles Wright, an Intelligent young
Episcopal clergyman, that they could
not be taxed during tho first IS years
after the act went into operation. A
number of other speeches were made
in icating that they were afraid Of COM
ing under the jurisdiction of the national
and state Lays, one of the speakers saying
in laughing way that Becker county
had sent an assessor into the reservation
last year to z at the value of their personal
property but that he had not taken any
valuation because he was afraid the
assured there was no danger of the
premature extension over them of the
laws and wers informed regarding the
exemptions from levy on household
goods, far ming implements, tools, 10.
The full bloods Who wanted to make
sure that they Themselves should have
the fast choice OF lands under the allot-
| ment 8, stem wanted to know if some of
the sugar bush land could not be re-
served for Old Wolf, who especially de.
sired it.. The first indication that the
last objection of the chiefs was disap
pearing WAS the inquiry Of White Cloud
at the opening of the afternoon session
as to how much of the reservation should
be sold and why it was necessary to dis.
pose OF it. 1t was explained by the com
mission that the safest way to deal
sith the plan was to put it in the hands
Of the government for sale, at least, that
portion not demanded by their present
or future needs when the proceeds would
be secured rather than leave it to be
burned or sold by themselves, which
wou' d soon re ult in their being minus
their pine and the proceeds also.
The snort session held yesterday be-
fore the signing began was taken mp BIS
another rehenrsal OF the difficulties under
wbica The Indians labor 10 making pro
greas toward civ liz alton, inciu ding ref
efence to the old arreara1es and some
complaints about the distribution of seed
and supplies in former years.
Many expressions OF respect were made
sor the commission and all o apologies for
having Consumed 30 muoh time in ex
jlanation; that the reason of their eau
ton was that they had found former
treaties were not fulfilled for want of q
perfect understanding between the gov
erument and themselves. Nearly 20U
names have bsen secured aud the work o.
the commission may be pronounced en-.
'irely successful. This treaty will open
5000, 600 acres to settlement.
Tho old warriors at the agency have
bsen startled by the apparently authori.
tstlve statement that the young Indians
belopgiug to the Cett ole societies aie
favorable to the treaty and will sign.
There are several OF the societies and
one Of them nunbers 115. 1t is now
claimed that the catholic missionaries
are favorable to the treaty and that they
have induced nearly every Catholic In
dian at the agency 20 sign. The indians
are reticent on this point, but Father
Graft, who for several years has located
his desire to have the Indians sign. TIL,
missionaries may swing the young bucki
) into line, but thty cannot influence th,
chiefs or old bucSs, who look upon then
with suspicion.
The Indians observed Sabbath by hold
ing q big council and discussing tn,
treaty. John Grass entered the oircl,
holding in his hands copy of the pro
posed treaty and opened discussion b.
informing the braves of the nature of tn
document The treaty was read in tn
Indian language by one of the younj
bucks who has attended school and b
was fr quently interrupted by inquisitiv
members OF the circle who desired point
explained. Among the ohiera there is nj
change OF sentiment. Rain in-the- Fac
is disRusted at the report that the youn
Catholic Indians will Sign and Sittip
Bull, who refused to Join the church be
cause it would necessltate the disosrdip
!. Of one Of his wives, is suspicious that
: may be true, although steadily denying il
There will be 3 full attendance to-day an
= the commissioners believe that when the
:. read the reports of recent success at tn
- lower agencies the stubborn chiefs vii
> weaken. Dispatches received here yes
terday from Cheyenne Agency state tina
!, White Swan and his band to the humble
OF rs had signed the bill. This make
: the total number of signatures there 42l
only 10 less than the thzee-quarter
!. majority required.