Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-23

ished into thin air. You will see that up TO
this time-and there has been only the mildest
kind of weather-the shrinkage on beef for
two agencies amounts to more than ], 300, 600
pounds.
"Can this shrinkage be avoided? Yes, to q
very considerable extent Instead Of allowing
contractors to supply what are known a.
through cattle shipped directly from south
ern states-the Indian bureau should insist on
being supplied only with those animals that had
spent at least one winter in these higher lati-
tudes After the first winter there is but
little loss, for the beeves have become accli-
mated. This beef business is at the root of the
whole trouble and Congress did not improve
matters in the least by further diminishing the
supply to the extent of 900 900 pounds Give
the Indian the beef he is entitled to and we will
have peace"
TALK wrrH Nh. COOPER.
Special Agent Cooper Of the Indian bureau
certainly ought to know something Of the situ-
alton at Pine Ridge. He has been here for the
past month and has been putting in eighteen
hours q day investigating. using up the remain
ing six in dreaming of that which he found out
before he went to bed. He discusses the situ-
alton with a freedom that can hardly be less
than interesting. / asked him what he be-
ieved to be the prime cause Of the disturbances
which had done so much to injure the race re-
lations- The ghost dance. in the first place, "
was his reply The medicine men promised
the Indians Just what they needed most if they
were faithful to the dance and the new religion.
The earth and the fullness thereof was theirs
if they remained true to the Messiah and his
announced faith. An upheaval was coming that
would destroy the white race and at the same time
make the Indian monarch of the continent.
The craze spread 10 such an extent that some
thing had TO be done on behalf Of the govern
ment and a. soon Q restraining hand was
laid On the savages they rebelled. AL the old
grievances came up and the result was the
worst case of demoralized Indian this country
| has seen for years. The nations were, perhaps,
less than they ought to have been and this evil
was aecentuated more than little by the fail
ure Of crops for two successive years. Such
calamities al crop failures may be looked for
frequently, for this il not agricultural coun-
| try and the day win never come when the In
dian or any one else can ever hope to vork
probably any land in this vicinity.
MOST Of the grumbling was done ON the re-
duction Of the beef ration. These Indians
must have beef and they must have what 10 u
them Q sufficient amount. Strong meat hsa
always been a necessity to them and they will
look with comparative competency on the cut
| ting down Of any fation but that OF beef.
| fruitful source Of disconteut; you may have
noticed that the men who opposed the bin led
/ the ghost dance. These Indians were Of the
non-progressive elcment, and the dance gave
| them opportunities 10 revenge themselves on
4 those who were The stronger when the question
was in the mouth Of every Indian, Shall ve Of
shall we not sign the trcatyT
NTxRyERIso VITA rRIBAL HoSors.
| 'There was also good deal Of bad blood
beswesn various factions In tn tribes becausl