The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-29
POOR L0 NOT WELCOME
South Dakota People Rabidly OPP
posed to the Transfer OF the
Cheyennes.
Senator Pettigrew Says Noble and
Montana Have Conspired
Against Them.
The Same Gentlemnn Scalps Little Chief
ben, OF the White House Free
Silver Coinage.

WASHINGTON, May 23.---There will be q
conflict between South Dakota and one
wing of the government, If an attempt is
made to move the Northern Cheyenne band
OF Indians from Montana to South Dakota.
1t is Secretary Mobiles plan, rs already tele-
grhphed, to remove this band from Tongue
| River reservation in Montana. to Pine
Ridge reservation in South Dakota. The
commission that he has appointed to nego-
tiate with both bands for this removal, will
leave Washington for the west on Friday.
Senator Pettigtew has opposed this scheme
from the start and said that he would fight
1t to tho bitter end. He says it would be a
rank injustice to the Northern Cheyennes
to remove them to South Dakota.
| His reasons arc that the Sioux have been
| allotted all the land at Pine Ridge that is
worth picayune. If they are removed
there is no possible chance for them to be-
come self-supporting. The result will be
| that the government will have to support
them or they will starve. On the other hand,
II they are allowed to remain where they
are, the land they occupy can be irrigated
and cultivated, SO that they will be inde-
pendent of government support.
Senator Pettigrew says that the consent
of the Cheyennes can never be secured un-
less they are bribed or swindled. 1t will re-
quire force to remove them, and. before
this method is resorted to, Pettigrsw says he
will be able to pass legislation that will pre-
| carrying out their scheme.
Senator Pettigrew, who arrived in Wash
lnaton last night, talked politics with con-
siderable freedom to-day. When asked his
choice for the republican presidential
| nomination next year, he replied: II simply
want to say that if Blaine is the republican
candidate he will have no trouble in carry
| ing every state in the west.'' ''Can Harri-
| son do likewise?" was asked. "rve moth
ing to say to this question" came the smil-
ing reply. II want to add that have the
| highest regard for President Harrison. He
has given the country most excellent ad-
| mlnistration.'
Mr.. Pettigrew was asked the question::
IF Harrison and Cleveland are opposing
candidates and Il new party puts new man
| OF Senator Peifer's prominence at the head
of its ticket, what will be the resultY' In
| reply he said: tits my candid opinion
| that the contest would have to be settled in
| the house. The result would probably seat
/; Cleveland in the presidents char" Sup
posing Blaine headed ths republican ticket
instead of Harrison, what then?'' "Why
the whole difficulty would be settled at the
polls. Blaine would be the next presi-
dent.'
Senator Pettigrew also had something to
say about the hobbies of the new peoples
party. Their scheme" said he, "of hav-
ing the government loan money at two per
cent. is ridiculous. In case such plan is
carried out Uncle Sam would be obliged
to adopt the money loaners' thres-
ball sign, instead of the American eagle, as
his insignia. Men who are advocating this
plan are either dishonest or foolish. Those
who have security could get all the govern
ment bonds they wanted. The farmer who
had no mortgage on his property could bor-
row monev. but the farmer who was bur
dened with mortgages could get nothing.
This class. together with a large army of
workingmen in this country, would become
mere serfs.''
Senator Pettigrew says he is still an advo-
cate of free coinage, but does not believe it
entirely necessary for the republican party's
success in the next campaign to declare for
free coinage, but both the east and west can
be satisfied by having gold and silver placed
on an equal footing.