The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-22
LAWS FOR INDIANS.
Senator Pettigrew Favors Abol-
ishing Reservation System.
A SUCCESS WHEREVER TRIED.
Leaders Of the Red Men Oppose the In
novstion, ~ It Robs Them OF
Their Power.

| 1t is doubtful if there is a man in congress
who knows more about the management
OF the Indians than does Senator Petit
grew, of South Dakota. The senator has
resided in the West for so many years, and
has studied the Indian habits for such a
long time that he knows the character
istics of the red men to nicely. Since
his advent into congress it is probable
that Senator Pettigrew has evolved
more legislation of interest and BEN
eft to the Indians than any other
Western congressman. The senator is
not through with Indian legislation
by any means. He proposes to give the
Indian question all the attention possible,
and be will not only look out for the in
terests of the red men, but the settler
and Others interested in their manage
ment as WELL The senator is ready
talker on most any subject that is brought
to his attention, but when anything re-
lating to the Indian question is brought
up he becomes interested. In an inter-
] view today Senator Pettigrew had this to
say in relation to the present Indian stu
alton:
A great deal of pressure has been brought to
bear by Eastern people. and especially those in
| terested in Indian Rights associations, to Sc
system of laws for the Indians who reside upon
! reservations throughout the United states.
| Since the foundation of the government it has
been customary to regard the Indians as separate
| tribes of people having their own laws and Gus
| toms for the punishment OF ofienses among
| themselves, and for this reason, whenever a
| new state has been admitted, it has been neces-
| sary for congress to provide that the Indian
| reservations in any state should not be
| subject to the Jurisdiction OF the
courts OF the state, or in any
way subject to the laws of the state. The conse-
| quence has been that most OF the offenses COM
| mitted by one Indian against another have gone
| unpublished, and many plans have been sug-
gested for remedying this, and bills have been
introduced in reference to the Indian affairs but
there seems to be difficulty in dealing with
the subject.
Under the existing state of affairs, the Indian
agent has his force of Indian police and has
been allowed by the rules OF the department to
impose certain mild punishment to preserve
order ana as far as possible maintain peaceful
relations II courts were established,
there would be two sources of authority
and confiic tbetween the courts and the agents,
which would lead to complications ana perhaps
great deal of discipline and loss OF control
now possessed by the several authorities. No
plan, as yet, seems to have been devised that
would avoid this difficulty and remedy the evils
that ought to be corrected.
After a careful consideration of the subject it
seems to me the remedy il that the reservation
system should be abolished at once, at least so
far as the Sioux Indians are concerned, and the
country opened up to settlement after the Indian
allotments have been made, surrounding this
people with the settlers who fill up the Western
states and who will build churches and schools
and give them the example of civilized life in
their own midst. This should be done at
once without consulting the Indians, but done
because 1t is for their best good and advance
ment and civilization. The Sioux Indians, I'M
til they are demoralized by contact with the
worst element of our white population-for in
stance, white men who go upon the reservation,
become members OF the tribe and marry Indian
Uomen-are always willing to work, for they
are sure OF Immediate compensation for their
services. By surrounding them with white set
tiers opportunities would be offered for them to
secure something to do and receive a compensa-
ton for it. They would see the dignity of labor
by the example of their white neighbors and
they would learn that it was respectable to toll
and that the reward of labor was greater COM
fort and prosperity. Their children would have
the example and advantage of association with
the children OF their white neighbors.
Where this experiment has been tried, as for
instance the Sioux Indians at Flandreau,
South Dakota, it has proved a great success
The Indians and the white settlers have lived
together in harmony, and their relations have
been pleasant and advantageous, especially to
the Indians themselves. During the twenty
three years of contact there has been no litiga-
ton between them, and in no instance have the
Indians been guilty OF criminal offenses which
would cause the indictment or arrest OF single
one of them. The white people are entirely
satisfied that they should remain, and there is
no disposition to secure their removal. The
same result would be produced with all the
Sioux Indians ii the same course were pursued
The Sioux a brave people, possessed of
many manly attributes, and capable of making
good citizens if the opportunity is offered them.
The leaders, of course, are opposed to this
course, as by breaking up the tribal relations
and reservation their influence is destroyed and
their prominence gone, and they control the
tribes. For this reason / would not make a
treaty or agreement, but would simply take
steps TO elot their lands and open their rcserya-
tions to settlement at once.
The Western people believe in doing what is
just and right by the Indians, and have always
taken that position, but the government has
been controlled by the people OF the Eastern
states who had majority OF both committees
III both houses OF congress. In all the terri
tories where most OF the Indian agencies were
located the agents were sent from the Eastern
states The contracts TO supply the Indians
with their annuity goods were let in New York,
and invariably 10 Eastern people. The Eastern
people have had control of the appropriations
and have made the appropriation so small that
il was impossible to Issue to the Indians full
rstions. The character OF the clothing which
has been furnished them has Amos, invariably
been of the poorest kind.
A failure to comply with treaty stipulations
on the par. of congress has caused frequent
outbreak to occur. aud when these outbreaks
do occur the Western people are the principal
sufe.ers. Loss of life and property, OF course
mas raised such feeling OF resentment that in
despair most OF the Western citizens have said
that the only remedy was to get the Indians out
OF the state, and they have invariably been
driven into the territories
The Eastern people at once declare that the
Western people are trying to do what is wrong
with the Indians to deprive them Of their lands
aud their rights. think there is no sentiment
in the state of Dakota in favor of removing the
Sioux from the border. but what the people of
the state do want is that congress shall keep
every contract made with the Indians 10 the
letter.
We have agreed TO feed, cothe and educate
them. If this is done the future will tske care
OF Itself, the Indians will become scif-support-