Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-02-09
azp laHs's wArrs.
fhsAf opokesmsn Confer with Dscss
tary Noble.

WAsaxerox. ID. c., Feb. s-Ths con-
ference between 6scrstary Noble and the
sioux Indian delegation was begun this
morning at the intsfior department.
John Gfass wAs hRst heard. Rev. c. s.
Cook. the Episcopal minister at Pine Ridge
acting - interpreter.
Gfass at once began 70 speak Of the re.
cent trouble amcns the Indians. They had
come with the pirpose Of confsrrine With
the secretary in regard to thssmaster. The
tndians, he said. did not desire to be driven
back to their wild life, but wished to con.
sult with the President GO - to determine
upon their future They wished. he said, to
speak or certain matters talked over when
the Indians were here last, and the promises
in regard to which were not carried out.
He protested against the Practice Of
blaming all Indians for what. was the fault
Of few. The Indians believe that il they
afe honest in trying to put their children
into schools, and il they follow the teach
ings OF Christianity, they would be going
on the light road. The Indians regarded
these - important factors, and they also
thought ii desirable that the agents should
DO civilians, rather than military. They
desired continuance of the present sy stem
in this respect.
In the past, he said the Indian agents
had opportunities TO steal, hut now the
coed people in the east maintained such a
close watch that IL vas diiHcult for them to
adopt such practices. The agents in late
years, he said, were good men. In speak.
ing OF his own reservation, that Of Standing
Rock. the threatened trouble had been put
down by the Indian police. They believed
In the Indian police, and he was requested
to ask for an increase Of 90 men.
GrAss then shook hands with the secre-
tary and took his seat.
American Horse was the next speaker.
He displayed considerable natural ability,
and made a graceful preface to his remarks,
referring In complimentary terms TO the
secretary and the ladies' present. He then
asked II the secretary thought 1t was right
to curtail the speech Of a man who had
something to say, so that he did not have
the chance to say all he intended. This
question created some laughter. and the
secretary replied that he thought short
speeches were the best, but he desired him
to say all he wished TO say.
American Horse protested against haste
and against being classed ~ hostile, and
the secretary assured him that he was not
so classed. He said the Indians at Pine
Ridge, through the destruction OF their
property, had been put back 10 years. and
that the lndians desired to have these losses
made good.
The government, he said, had made
mistakes in their attempt to civilize
the Indians. Instead Of positions a,
the agencies being filled by Indians white
men crowded them ont and took the
places. This was one reason why the
Indians were called lazy. At the
agencies, he said, the white men were so
numerous that they fairly trampled ON the
Indians. What his people wanted was
chance TO rice and Hll the positions of trust
and consequence that were within their
reach. He desired that some attention
should be paid 10 the wishes OF Indians in
regard to the men to be agents. The In
dians were able TO tell as well as white men
what men were competent. The agents,
he said, naturally selected their own rela-
tons to tili the positions under them. He
thought the Indians would receive these
appointments il justice were done.
He then spoke Of religious matters, and
said there were three religious bodies on
their reservation who were trying to teach
them to live better lives, and especially to
bring about religious marriages. But they
did not want to be compelled to marry GER
tain persons.
The secretary Inquired who bad sought
to compel them to marry. American Horse
replied that he referred more particularly
to person. who eloped. When the people
were brought back the agent obliged them
to get married.