Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1889-06-27
INDIAN REUBEN.

n Telegram IT0m w aoulHStuu uuteu
June 22nd., which we publish to-day,
contains what purports to be the interview
of James Reuben with Secretary Noble
iu regard to Chas. E. Monteitb, who has
recently been appointed Indian Agent
of the Nez Perez Indians. We think
that this sudden visit Of Reuben to
Washington is the result Of conspiracy
among white attaches Of the agency.
1t is known that these attaches have been
quarreling among themselves for some
time past in relation to matters about
which Monteith had nothing to do, and
before it was known that Monteith
would become the agent Of the Nez
Perces. Mr.. Monteith, as near as we
can learn, had nothing to do with the
controversy among these attaches nor was
be responsible fY the i'll feeling and bad
blood that existed among these attaches.
As matters Of fact Mr.. Montei,h's opin.
ions in reference to the allotment OF
lands in severalty to the Indians became
decidedly favorable after the Indian war.
Mr.. M. was simply clerk at the agency
during the period of the Indian war and
had the opportunity of observing and
knowing the mind Of the friendly Indians
or the anti.Joseph party. We have lre-
quently couversed with Mr.. Montei,h in
years gone by in which he expressed him
self to US as of the belief that these In.
dams, OF the anti-war party, who re.
manned in Idaho after the others had
gone to Indian Territory, that he
thought the best means Of governing the
Indiaus who remained and the means
that would be the most satisfactory to the
Indians, was to have each Indian own the
land in severalty. That they would the
sooner acquire the habits Of civilized
white people and would prosper and grow
rich. 1t has been known that Reuben,
ever since he became man, was ambi-
tious to maintain all of the Nee Perez
reservation for the use of the Indians,
that he delivered substance Of his desire
in speech several years ago at Lapwai,
stating that it was true that the present
generation Of Indians could not occupy
and improve the lands of the reservation
but that he wanted the government to
retain it as the property of the Indians
to be parccled ont as it was needed and
would be needed BY the tribe in genera.
tons yet unborn. This theory was ad-
vanced without any reference to Mr.
Monteith, and while Monteith was in
nowise connected with the agency.
Reuben was told at that time that, that
was not the policy of the whites in rela-
lion to the vacant lands belonging to the
United States, that the United States
opened their lands for settlement aud
permitted her citizens to pre.empt and
occupy as they desired. Hence we can
not regard this sudden movement Of
Reuben against Monteith but as the re-
suit Of . conspiracy Of whites to supplant
him so as tokeep up the confusion and
disorder at the Nez Perce agency, and
they seem to make Reuben their agent,
learning that he had strong personal
prejudice against Mr.. Mouteith. These
same whites who are prompting this
thing do not want the Nez Perez roser,
walton thrown open to white settlement
and hence they use an Indian who has
always been opposed to the allotment
system, to become their representative to
the department. We never have heard
any complaints or charges Of cruelty to.
wards the Indians, made by the Indians
in the region Of the reservation, agains,
Mcnteith while be acted as agent.