New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-10
NO MILITARY AGENTS WANTED
THE SIOUX PREFER THOSE FROM CIVIL
LIFE


INDIANS TELL COMM SsIoNER MORGAN OF
THEIR NEEDS.
Washington Feb. 0.-The conference with the Sioux
Indian delegation was resumed this morning by the
Commissioner Of Indian Affairs. Commissioner Nor.
gan said to the Indians that he had called them To-
gether that he might explain some things, and that
he might hear from them about some matters Of ad-
minstratlon. He reminded them that he had no power
to make laws, and had food money TO give them,
except what Congress provides lie said he thought
they had already heard all that necessary In regard
to the past. What wanted now was 10 hear their
plans for the future. His Office, he said. was pre-
pared TO carry out all Of the provisions Of the Sioux
agreement, and that he was prepared To issue the
100000 worth OF beef TO the Indians entitled 10 re-
celye H. which was cut of in the past lie spoke Of
the liberal provision made by Congress for the edca-
ton OF their children and said that plan was now
beng formulated 10 carry out the wishes Of Congress
I'm this regard. senator Dawes, chairman OF the Sen.
ate Indian Committee, then introduced, and spoks
OF the Sioux Agreement bill, In the preparation Of
which he was concerned and Of the efforts made to
have the provisions OF this law result in the best In
ereyts Of the Indians If they knew Of any omission
that had been made he thought that 1t would be cor
roctcd IL the attention Of Congress was called to It,
II the Indians did their part and were industrious the
Government would undoubtedly do It's part and help
them 10 become self supporting. Under the terms o!
tho present agreement, no Indian trbe except no
Osases would have large fund to their credit In
the Treasury He thought that now both the INDIANS
and the Government, leaving the past behind and
starting afresh would work ont plan to secure tho
hapniness and welfare Of all concerned. The first
sneaker from the Indian delegation was White Ghost,
NJ the Crow Creek Reservation, who spoke OF the en-
croaclments OF the whites upon the lands OF the
Indians.
TIE Commissioner assured him that he would have
that matter fully investigated and remedled. lie was
also Informed that Congress would probably pass an
act TO equallze the alotments Of lands TO all the SIOUX
White Ghost spoke Of the rtons of coffee and said
that they amounted to only 100 grains week TO each
person. lie referred to the small ration OF bacon
issued and said that at meeting OF the dehgauoh
Yesterday the unanimous decision was reached ua'
they did not want military agents.
The next speaker was Big Name OF tie Lower Bru'
Agency. lie told the Commissioners that the Wmn
people had squatted on their lands and prevented tie
Indians from getting fuel and hay. lie wanted inc
agency moved nearer 70 the lands occupied by the
Indians and said they needed better school facilities
lie complained Of the small size Of the beef cattle gwen
them for food, and hum0rOusy attributed II TO the
defective cyes9ht OF the agent Little No Heart rom
the Cheyenne River Agency, was the next to give MS
views lie said that the Christian people on the re-
servaton doing a good work in clvilzlng his
pie and that their influence always on the side
Of peace and good government He said that his people
wanted more and larger schools where their children
could learn the white mans ways. lie protested
against the appointment IF military agents. His
people were peacefully disposed and in his opinion civil
agents would better suit the sioux. and that tho
good Of all concerned required the appointment Of
agents from civil life. The Commissioner said that
40 nearly all who had spoken had expressed The same
desire 10 wished b. learn how many Oh Inc members
u the delegation were In favor OF civil agents and
how MANY IN favor Of military agents. ana he IN
stI7Iced the Interpreter 10 ask such OF the Indians
as preferred civil agents 10 stand up. Win single
"a fn OH. ID.
ferr,t milary agents Major swords, the chief OF
the Indian police al Pine Ridge. Tie Commissions
explained Major >w0rds's vote by saving uAt q
place IN the regular army had been offered him by
icnersl Miles, This r'Hara caused considerable laugh
ter among the spectators ~
Mad BEAR f.0m standing Rock, spohe next lie
said that the chiefs f the several bands OF his Feser
walton had meeting at which they asked him %
insist upon moro reservation sch Ol> His people pr
ferrtd reservation school, 10 distant schools II ne
school, were located the reservation Thea influence
would he fe not only by The pupils but by the parents
well. --.
was elected. Another conference Will be held on
Wednesday. when the Indians from the Tine Rldso
and Rosebud agencies viii speak.