The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-20
CASE OF PUYALLUPS.
The Legal Fight Over the Ross
Grade on Reserve.


Peters life In Sssssis.
TACOMA, May la.-FSpecial. COPIES Of
the contracts for Tsghts-ot-way through
the Pay allup reservation have been -
CURED by Agent Eells for use Ut the hear.
ings Ia the interference Of the troops With
the graders. The point 70 be made in con.
nection with these contracts 10 that they
show that the Indian graders were in fact
employed By Ross, and were not Of their
own volition working on the railroad
grade, and we're not for themselves work
Ing on their lands.
The Commercial Club has been sat
upon" By those who have taken an inter-
and have considered it entirely contrary
TO Law and against the best interests Of
the Indians and assigns. The club has
agreed. ~ stated in the Posr-IsrKLLIeKs-
GER to advance Frank &. Ross e. 500 for
his interest in the righs-of-way with tho
understanding that the same 10 to be
used for the best advancement Of the city's
interests. Hugh Farley. . retired lawyer,
who says he has no interests financially
in the reservation or the Indians, says:
don't think much Of the Ross contract - .
business proposition. but il Will answer the
purpose we'll enough - . sort Of business
'rnake believe" a. the children might call IL,
on which to raise money to help Ross The
people OF Tacoma are intesessed from business
standpoint in seeing the Puysliup reservation
opened up. and every Christian ought TO b.
interested from humane standpoint Let me
explain what mean ~ the humane stan1-
point" have lived for about seven years now
on the cdgs OF the bank or bluff on A
street This Indians coming from the
reservation along the railroad bridge or In
their canoes along the old river channel
would naturally strike that Locality hrst
with their eggs or chickens or berries. or what
ever little produce they might have for sale. In
this way have become acquainted with the
actual condition of many I have now in my
mind one old man aaa woman. who have been
In my house. almost tn rags aud tatsers. without
ciepcncy OF the weather, seeking advances OF
30 cents aud 81 with which to procure the
uecessaries Of life, repsying me when the sea-
son would come round IN such triaing produce
rs their unskilied ana ignorant efforts would
plotuee Yet these people are the owners and
have been during these seven years OF 100
acres Of this land. each acre Of which 10 worth
At least today. in the market 500. making
the total value $4,000. Yet through the mic
taken caro- OF the Indian department these old
people are going down to the grave in poverty
and want. suffering Tor the bare nccessaries Of
life. l say the "Indian DEPARTMENT because
undoubtedly the legislation OF congress- IL
shaped by the Indian department In this respect.
which receives Information from its agent
have never had the opportunity Of looking over
any of the lsssers correspondence with his de-
partment. but. judging from his public acts
here. one would be forced to the conclusion
that he devotss his entire energies TO
the whites who many have designs upon the
reservation. ana oveslooks entirely the Indians
who may have plans for their own comfort and
the improvement OF their living condition.
This old msn Of whom have spoken peter
stamps father, has often disclosed his plans in
case he were able TO cell the whole or portion
OF his lands: buy brick house. no IRE; every
mouth 500: plenty clothes. plenty eat To
this no has been looking forward during the
seven years OF which speak. Ia il nos sen-
sible and practical planf Would II not be .
humane and Chrissisn solution OF the who,e
matter to enable the Indians 70 pursue or carry
out some such plan? Now, what man In the
whole United states has IL 70 much in his power
to further such humane and at the samA TINA
sensible and practical solution a. the resi-
deat agcnts
Agent Eells says:
have endeavofsd to perform my duties faith
fully. Many people do not seem to think that
have got to serve the government satisfactoriiy
While every body here would like TO see the res
ervation opened. they should Also remember
that the government owes duty TO the Ind m.
His interests must be looked alter aud his
rights maintained. Ali my acts are matters OF
record. They arc open to inspection.
$. b. Pettingiil. who objects to The ac.
ton Of the Commercial Cub. says:
The whole trouble arises from IN, effort ri
those holding contracts 10 get them secu.ei. II
the government: would RECOGNIZES those contracts
then they. the contract holders, would favor the
opening OF the reservation. Why. the Union
Pacific would have had iss righs-of-wsy through
the reservation two years ago. Il some sharper
had not put rider the bill ordering IL, ia
the effsc, that the contracts would DO reco2.
uizcd.
On behalf Of the land contracts which
have been taken for the purpose Of ad.
vancing money 10 the Indians who need it.
and who will not squander the same TO.
drink or ,riiies, Mr.. Ross says:
They need money Tor necessarics OF life. To
day 81 In hand Is worth moro TO them than $iO
hsc wears hence. la many instances a few dol
lars now Is worth more 20 them than millions
III few years. when. under the Prevailing con.
d;ions, many of them will be dead Today
another railroad for Tacoma Is worth more 10 4,
than hall doxsn roads few ycG-s hence, when
roads will probably he plenty. Tacoma 10 I'm
tast the nx az the indians What II
wants IL wants forthwith