Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1892-11-24
FACTS IN THE CASE
\ Statement Made by Commits
sioncr Morgan on the
Indian Question.
Unprinciplcd White Men Make
the Troublc---No Grounds
For Complaint.

Indlan Commissioner Morgan wa.
shown press dispatch from Guthrie
Okla, stating in effect that there are
well grounded fears of trouble among
the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians
IN oklahoma during the approaching
winter because of the reduction OF
the food supply furnished by the gov
eminent, and stating that even nov
'leN were in state of great distrcs.
Tor want of food. For this condition
OF affairs, the dispatch stated. tho
government is by many persons held
directly responsible. Commissioner
Morgan said: 1T will be reply to
'tlis statement to give the facts i'm
regard To what the Chcyenncs and
Arapatlocs have actually received.
They number $500. Since the wear
1869 there has been expended for
their benefit for rations, clothing,
ETC., the sum of sl,lO9,S5O IN fulfill
ment OF the treaty stipulations.
There has also been expended in their
behalf, for the same purpose, since
1872 the sum of s., 293, G3O. all of which
was gratuity given by congress to
supply their necessities and promote
their civilization and not called for
by any treaty. In October. 1890. the
Cheyennes and Arapahocs agreed to
surrender to the United States n
large part of their reservation. the
price to be paid by the government
being S50O,O0Oin cash and ST .OOO. 600 to
he placed in the treasury to their
credit to bear interest at 5 pcr cent,
per annum. In acco d .nce with this
agreement allotments have been
made To the Chcycnnes and Arana-
noes. 100 acres Of the choicest land to
aacl man. woman and child of the
tribes: and in further fulnllmcnt of
me agreement there has been paid
mem within the last Is months $500 |
100 less $4,000. This sum was paid
% attorneys who made contracts with
ne Indians. and with the conscn, Of
ne INDIANS was taken out Of the
100000 The first installmcnt of in
crest on the II 900 600 amounting ia |
$4,000. became due on july last |
aSllleit OF TINS sum is just about to
'c made. the first installment hay
ne Just been sent to the agent. and
he second installmcnt will be sen,
soon as the first is paid.
Last year while the Indian office
vas making up the estimates of1n.
fopriatlon> 10 be made by congress.
mad regard To the fact that the
'heycnnes and Arapahocs would re-
eve at an early period $500 900. and
therefore, ii asked congress to appro-
flatc as agratuity for the beneti, of
lcSc Indians only $4,000. being
'9.oOo less than heamount appropri-
'ed Tor each Of the two preceding
ears. Nevertheless. subsequently,.
ccretary Noble stated the facts to
)ngrcss and urgently requested an
additional gift of $4,000 for food. /
men congress failed To grant
III can hardly he expected that the
'Vernlent will continue To subsist
lclans out o! the public treasury.
mere are probably 600 children
hohg these people Of school age.
he Indian Office has offered to take
OF these children into their board
e schools, feed clo1lc and educate
iem free of all expense To these In
ans.
~ he change ot ratinnS issued from =
eekly To bi-wcckly is for tile conycn-
nee and benefit of the Indians. 4
eeklN issue day is Il hindrancc TO
|c progress OF Indian farming, for i, :
'cps many of the Indian families
III lhc time on the road to and :
ON the agency to receive rations To
e neglect Of their farms and other y :,
employment. 1t will be i
en- from the above statement that =
csc Indians have absolutely no :,
ound whatever for complaint \ \
alnst the government. and already =
G white people who have gone in -
q settled emong them have COM - =,
llned that the government has
'ated the Indians with degree of :, :,
crallty which it has denied them. :,
us unrest among the Indians is I'M :,
'lbtedly caused by those who hope =
be benefited in some way. During :.
last campaign unprincipled men =. -
cred up these Indians for political =. =,
rposes, and if any trouble occurs ~ ".
Il be largely responsible for the ~
ults." al
of