New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-12

FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS.
AGAINST TIE SYSTEMATIC INJUSTICE OF
TIE CLEVELAND ADMINISTRATION.
HONEST SETTLERS PROSECUTED IN DEspER
ATE ATTEMPT TO MAKE DAKOTA

HONEST SETTLERS PROSECUTED IN A DEsPER.
ATE ATTEMPT TO MAKE DAKOTA
DEMOCRATIC.
tTRoS - sTATT CORRESPONDENT OF rHE rRrnIxrl
Copyright 1889 by re Nee. York Trtouns
Mitchell, South Dakota, May q.
I'm an enrlicr article relating the political con.
diton Of South Dakota, | spolls OF tue
various efforts that had been made &c divide tho
Territory, and 10 admit the lower half OF il prior
70 the incoming Of Mr. Clevelands Administrs-
ton. 1t well understood before the Sioux
Falls Convention Of 1885 assembled that TO
Democrats in a body would oppose all they had
been heretofore seeking 10 accomplish. Stories
were alrcady In circulation vaguely limiting that
there had been immense lind frauds committed
In Dakota under the Rep-slIcan Administrations,
and the sinister digestion appeared In many
forms. and tSVueh many sources, th0t In oil
probe 5inty ut least hnh the patents issued 10
the small farmers Of South Dakota would havo
20 be revoked by the virtuous gentlemen who
were conducting the Nations affairs. The Trib-
unes Washington correspondent 10 will DO
remembered-and is most gratefully remembered
here-pounced at once upon these sdroitly cir
ouhted stories and declared with some warmth
and directncrs that the officials OF the Interior
Department, seconded by the Territorial Democ-
rncy, were engaged In q conspiracy 10 steal tho
proposed new State from the Republicans II
was charged that Mr. Lamar had gone into the
Interior Office as Mr. Whitney went into the Naval
Office, resolutely determined 10 prove fraud on
his predecessor, whether there was any fraud 10
prove or not. Before taking of their hats and
coats. they gave the public 10 understand that
there would be some exposures now, right of.
There would be no more nonscnsc, aud with many
"A, md ioix thatrr tlnI tha
country that 10 should shortly be put into posses
sion Of some hair-lfting facts.
SparISs's antics in the Land Once were par
ticularly disquieting 10 tho Daloth farmers. At
first they didn't understand just what Was meant
They didn't quite see the pont--they didn't %atoh
the idea thnt their patents were fraudulent only
In case they continued 20 vote the Republican
ticket, and that IL they concluded TO readiust
their political relations they would thereby i'm
part saving grace 20 their land titles. All they
perceived at first was that tho rights they had
acquired and the claims upon which thousands
were about to submit their final proofs, were
suddenly mennced by an indefinite charge OF
fraud, brought by the very official who was con-
stituted In law tho Judge OF the evidence
Another affair that caused much grumbltng and
alarm was the sudden reveral Of President
Arthur's order opening the Crow Creek Indian
Reservation This reservation. comprising o2S,ooo
acres, 10 on the eastern bshk Of the Missouri JUST
above Cham berlain. and almost engulhng that
young city. II can be laid open for settlement
upon the Presidents order. General Arthur arter
u careful study Of the law ind the laots issued
q proclamation on February z, 1888, opening the
hnds, and settlers went In by hundreds. In two
weeks claims were fled on about half the reserve
ton, thousand shanties were oe'ns Duiit ana
the hammer and plough were everywhere at work.