The Washburn leader., 1891-02-14
NOBLE AND THE REDS.
The Delegation of Sioux Chiefs Have
a Talk with the Secretary
of the Interior.
Each Indian Tells His Grievance and
Explains What the Govern
ment Should Do.
The Secretary Tells Them to Be
Good and They Will BE
Provided for.
The Indian POw-Wow.


The Indian P0w-Wow.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE conference
between Secretary Noble and the Sioux III
dian delegation was begun this morning
at the interior department. Secretary of
War and Mrs. Proctor and Miss Proctor
were present and also the wife of Secretary
Noble and Miss Halstead. Others promi-
nent In the work for the Indians were in
terested spectators. The conference was
opened by Secretary Noble, who said:
"You were represented here just after the
agreement with General Crook was made.
You made certain requests and complaints
at that time and you received certain prom
ises from me. There has been trouble
since then and you have come again to say
what you think is proper as to the cause
of that trouble and to make any further
complaint you see fit. The secretary is
here to tell you that he has Kept
his word, but if there is anything
more he can 40, through friendship
your friend, and the great father has told
him to be your friend. lie wants you to
talk to him as your friend, and he will
meet you in the same spirit.'' The secre-
tary then asked If the Indians had made
any arrangements about speakers. He
ten to few, and he desired them to speak
briefly. lie added that if no objection was
made, he would hear from John Grass,
Hollow Horn, Bear, American Horse, Two
Strike, Hump and Young -Man-Afraid-of-
His-HOrses. In response. Louis RencOltra
said that this arrangement was not salts
factory, as it was desired that each
agency shoul, be represented in the
speakers. The secretary replied that he
would hear
JOHN GRASS AND AMERICAN HORSE,
and then take counsel with them as to who
should follow. John Grass then came for
ward. Rev. c. s. Cook, the Episcopal min
lister at Pine Ridge, acted as interpreter.
Grass at once began to speak OF the recent
trouble, the origin of which he did not
know. They had come for the purpose of
comforting with the secretary in regard tO
the matter. The Indians, he said. did not
desire to be driven back to their wild life,
so as to determine upon the future. The
Indians thought it desirable that the
agents should be civilians rather than mil
itary. In the past, he said, the Indian
agents had opportunities to steal; but now
it was difficult for them to adoptsnch prac-
tices The agents in late years. he said,
had been good men. In speaking of his
the threatened trouble had been put down
by the Indian police.
THEY BELIEVED IN INDIAN POLICE
and he was requested to ask for All in
crease of fifty men. Grass then shook
hands with the secretary and took his seat.
American Horse was the next speaker. He
displayed considerable natural ability and
made graceful preface to his remarks,
referring in complimentary terms to the
secretary and ladies present. The govern
ment, said he. had made some mistakes in
their attempt to civilize the Indians. He.
prOceeded to enumerate their mistakes.
Instead of positions at the agencies being.
out and took their places. What his peO-
pie wanted was chance to rise and fill
positions Of trust and consequence that
were within their reach. He then spoke
OF religious matters, and said there were
three religious bodies on their reservation
who were trying to teach them TO live bet
ter lives and especially to bring about re-
ligious marriages. But they did not want
to be compelled to marry certain persons.
The secretary inquired who had sought to
compel them to marry. American Horse
replied that he referred more particularly
to persons who eloped. When couple
were brought back the agent required them
that the losses suffered by the Indians in
the late disturbance be made GOOD by the
government. He favored the removal OF
the Carlisle school to the west.
YOUNG-MAN-AFRAID OF-HIs-HORsEs
related to his services in the interest of
harmony during the late trouble aud he
had brought his people into camp and had
turned in their arms. "How many ?"
queried the secretary, and the orator was
somewhat non-plussed. He knew the.
total was small and he did not care to say.
He hoped the government would not only
educate the children but would also give
at school. Two Strike said he had made.
peace with General Miles and was now
going to do what he could to maintain
1t. Hump said that about 800 of his peO-
pie had been killed and there should be
some consideration shown the survivors,;
he wanted their ratiOns increased and con-
Bull talked briefly, and then
% SECRETARY NOBLE
spoke to the Indians. He said: "The In
dian must not be discouraged. He would
be supported so long as he endeavored to
do well. There were two sides to the
question of what is due the Indian and
what is due from the Indian. Up to 1884
the Sioux have been given $42,OOO,OOO by
the government. The government ac-
knowledges its treaties and agreements
with the Sioux. Since 1884, when this
money was paid, there has been much
more money paid, according to the treaty."
The secretary then quoted statistics as to
the issues to the Indians. Schools the In
dians want have been kept up at all of the
agencies, and industrial schools, such as
they want. have also been established at
Pierre, and another school will be put up
at Flandrean. Farmers have been kept at
different agencies to show the Sioux how
to farm land. 1t was mere accident that
100000 should have been cut off the Sioux
appropriation Immediately after the agree
ment with General Crook. 1t would have
been the same il there had been no agree
menJ. These thingssh0uld convince the
Sioux that the government has been trying
to 90 what was right for the Indian.
In conclusion, the secretary advised the
Indians to think over the many things the
government had done for them; to look at
the promises made by General Crook, and
tn have 00nfi6Qnno in ixxyhok l,oS cnsA Tho.