The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-02
THE NEE PIERCE RESERVATION.
Tribe Divided Into Factions, the Chiefs
Opposing Opening.
Snnkana Spokesman.


Spokane Spokesman
James Reuben. OF Lapwai, Idaho. stall
wart Neg Perez Indian whose knowledge
of the country. the language and the
methods OF his white brother has made
him recognized leader among his people.
although he Is not chief. registered at
the Hotel Spokane last evening. deposited
q roll of greenbacks with the clerk. and
spent the evening quietly looking over the
city. Reuben ID on his way to Washington
City. charged with an important mission.
He II going to endeavor to block a scheme
OF the chiefs to prevent the payment of
the first installment Of purchase money
to the Indians, and thus delay the OPEN
ing Of the reservation. 1t Is not small
undertaking. for the chiefs are powerful.
and they have money and have already
sent white attorney to the national cap
tai to carry out their plans.
The Nee Perez are divided into two
factions over the proposed opening Of
the reservation. One wing. numerically
the strongest by far. is called the treaty
party" for 1t countenanced and aided
the proposed change. The other is the
"anti-allotment party" Mr.. Reuben said
last night that the latter was composed
OF chiefs who have large herds of stock.
They will not be content with their share
of the allotment. They want the residue
of the reserve for a great range. on which
their stock may browse and grow fat
enough to bring many thousands into
their Golfers. To be sure. the great body
OF the people do not want 1t 50. but his
tory Is full OF the actions Of great mon
archs who did not always consult their
people when they laid their plans.
ut Is a tribal custom to obey the chiefs
in matters concerning the tribe" said the
delegate last night. speaking in quaint
but correct English, and In a strongly
musical tone. but I have broken away
from 1t, and I am going to Washington
City to represent the people and not the
chiefs. Those who are poor, who have no
cattle and no fine houses. are anxious to
see the affair settled up. The chiefs are
selfish. They do not care whether the
poor people have money or not.
"'You see. there Is a scheme to delay the
payment Of the first instailment until the
go back into the treasury, and 1t cant be
drawn out again. That way the chiefs
and the rich men will hold their pastures.
while the people walt Everything they
can do II being resorted to. They are
finding fault with the census and the al
iotment roll, and have a white man In
Washington City to keep the department
from going ahead. The census Is COM
plete, and II is as nearly accurate as 1t
could be. Col. Lane has eoe papers ready
to close up as soon as he hears from me-
1 shall be in Washington City Tuesday
morning. That day I shall arrange an
audience with the secretary for the next
day, and Wednesday night, IL all Is well.
shall send a telegram to Col. Lane that
everything is all right. I 80 well pre-
pared. I have nay credentials and letters
of introduction. and IL any questions are
asked / have the documents here to an
swer them
Reuben is proud of the fact that his ed
ueation was received at home. He has
not attended Eastern colleges. as some
have done. but he has travelled extensive
~ before. This is his third mission to
Washington City.
sI did not care TO co." he said. "but my
people said so, ana here I am. Some of
them say Tn a bad man, but always do
my best. and IL fail. why, Ii will be just
as another man might 1aii. IL VIII not DE
my fault, can tell you I shall stay In
Washington City until the fight is over.
My people have given their notes for
thousands OF dollars for purchases they
have made. and 1t means much for them
TO get this money when II was promised
them"
How soon do you expect 10 complete
your undertaking ?" he was asked.
II hope to see the money all paid over
the LIST of April he replied.