The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-26
SECRETARY NOBLE TALKS.
He Tells the Puyallup indians He Will
Recommend One MIN .: lie 4er ration.

Recommend Opening Reservation.
TACOMA, Aug 25-tSpecial. calling Secre-
tary OF the Interior Mobiles attention to a tramp
walking on the Northern Pacific railroad Mt the
reservation this morning y Puyallup Indian
said that was an evidence that the white men
were not all able to take care OF themselves.
Then the Indian admitted t5at the Puyallup In
dams were no better than the white man in this
respect. He argued that wl8le few of the In
dians were unable to take ctre of their property
the bulk OF them had. from continued contact
with the whites, learned now to barter and
trade and manage their own affairs.
Secretary Noble is conisient now that the
Puyalup reservation will be opened by the next
congress This is the first reservation he has
made personal investigation OF since being ap-
pointed secretary OF the interior. After today's
meeting with 200 Puyailup 1rdisns, including
men, women and children, representing all of
the reservation land. Mr. NOBLE expressed him.
self rs being highly pleased 5yith the manners,
habits and general intelligence of the Indians.
In speech to them, he SAID in substance:
The advice of all of the peopie who have the
best interests Of the InGians at heart is that the
government protect them :and handle their
property and hold their money at a fair rate OF
interest. Still this is but che advice Of people
friendly to the Indians. and II will not be forced
upon the Pnyallup Indians IS the policy to OBJ
tain in opening the reservation.
He said he would .elti1a presden: that he
found most OF the Indians aole to handle their
property, and he was sure tee president would
advise congress to pursue 1he right course in
dealing with the Puyaliups: He seems in favor
of letting the Indians have siieir own way In the
matter. because his talks with them and with
Tacomans has led him ta believe that they
know what is best for thci: own interests. The
Indians Who spoke today az the mass-meeting
at the reservation were: Joscph Swoyali, James
Cross A. Jackson. Dick Saslawa, John Stawal-
lace, John Wallace, Dick Sa.gatum, John Hote,
Charles Satiacun, John Byton and Tommy
Lane.
and besides himself and Mr. Noble there were
on the platform Judge Scott of Port Townsend,
AMI John +. Plummer, Nelson Bennett and Sec
rotary Schaner, OF the Commercial Club. of
Tacoma OF the speakers Swoyall stood alone
In advocating protection by. the government for
the Indian. He did not ghink the time had
come for them to take into their own hands the
handling or disposition OF 5heir property. He
did not think theru capable of coping with the
white man. Secretary Noble reminded him that
white men have been know!l to sell gold mine
worth $4,000 for So This seemed to impress
some Of The Indians that sll white men were
not smart or able to make the best use OF their
property.
The other speakers were unanimous in adj
vocating that the Indians b: allowed to dispose
Of their property and handla their funds. They
agreed that some land should be held by them
enough for homeland that the valley lands,
comprising 5000 acres, " ieh the Judge Drake
commission recommend, I'd they should hold for
homes be kept under restrictions, lis Is the en-
tire reservation at present This would enable
them 10 own their homes aisd still escape paying
taxes
Secretary Noble spoke AGAR at the conclu sion
OF the meeting. saying nie enterprise OF the
white man had made the reservation valuable.
lie did not want TO see the enterprise of the
81. Ea6 Nv fhp oInfn
closed. Railroads are greae civilizers, he said,
therefore provision should f7e made, when open
ing the reservation, for rEght-of way through
that portion OF the reservation which the In
dams wish TO coDtnue 10 hold under
government restrictions. Railroads would,
he SAID, increase the vrue OF the reser-
walton land held under restrictions, and also in
crease the value of the liant which the Indians
would sell. lie felt C0nfdcnt that con-
gross would open the reservation
i'll manner entirelg satisfactory to
the Indians. and the Indians therefore
feel that their wishes TO sell their property as
they tit, sud to theif money TO suit them
selves. will b, recommended by secretary Noble
20 President Harrison. among those who
pressed this desire strongly was Charles
Satncum. who said he was getting old and
wanted Ills money before he died. Satacum
must lie nearly 30 years OF ege.
In disposing OF the conir Scted lands Secretary
Noble and the indians agreed that the law
should take its course. Il the contracts are
legal tile Indians are wi!iiIss 10 live up to them:
If they are aot legal. but az. not unjust il their
provisions - the indiaIa, then, also. il is
thought the ludiGa will cary out his part OF the
contract such contracts AZ DO no. provide for
paving the indlaa II fair vague Tor his land may
not be lived MP ~ and mag BE- contested. For
such of the Indians as are got abe to take care
et their own Interests ii is expected guardians
viii re appointed.
Secretary and Mrs. Nobis lett at . p. IN for
Seattle.
4 futile ATTEMPT was meEie ON Monday night
near Reading, Pa. 10 wreck the Phil ade!phia
express by placing timo.rs ac:oss the track.
Only the rear wheels Of thz locomotive ie.t the
t:afk