The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-14

sufficient to champion their cause for
these many years was another why.
Want OF knowledge In many essentials
In proper presentation OF the claim. was
another why.
when they come before your Honors In
an entirely new character. Having
found the johnson documents, which
prove the great first robbery. Having
made q list OF the papers bich prove
the grand steal OF 1850. Having made an
index to the legislation from 100 to 1880.
Having. discovered volume OF Indian
papers In the Office OF the Secretary of
State. Having discovered scores OF deeds
recorded in the record books of the
various towns wherein proper title has
not been given. Having opened up an
almost Iimitless amount OF documentary
evidence TO substantiate what they are
contending for. 1t is asked that this
shall be understood. That its justice
shall be recogn ized. That II shall be set
tied. That IL shall no longer be allowed
to drag Its slow length through succeed
ing Assem- blies, but that steps shall be
taken at once to right this monstrous
wrong. II Is insisted that this Injustice
be no longer continued.
Your Honors, IL has become crying
evil. IL has come to that pass II can no
longer be put on or evaded. For the
good name and honor Of the State we do
insist that these documents which can
be looked at and their lesson digested.
IL is insisted that commission be APP
pointed that will report and not try to
evade a responsibility.
Your Honors, you owe IL TO yourselves
TO see that something Is done in this
matter. Knowing as you do how care
lessly this matter has been handled
in past years you should now commence .
.H..4 tn f...f
longer let this matter drag. II Is dishon-
orable not TO undo wrong when II has
once been called TO your attention. 1t il
your duty TO act when sufficient proof OF
substantial and respectable character is
lain before YOU. A commission to do
strict justice should not live on the dis
puted territory and 1t was and has been
very unwise and injudicious to appoint
commission living on the territory as has
before been the custom. These men could
not do their full duty for they were ever
In fear and trembling from fear OF CIV
ing offence to some party. They realized
they could not do justice to both parties,
ano SO they .evaded by doing justice to
neither. All these things need only to
be stated to prove themselves.
Need II be more than stated that COM
mission living on the disputed territory
would decide against themselves and
would they not dodge the real issue just
as long as tney cOulu! MOst certainly
and this has been the fact all the way
through. Why has not a report been
made as TO What became of the 5000. Is
1t not right and just that this be looked
into? is 1t not right that those Indians
who have not had their Just portion
should have 1t and is il not right they
should be no longer kept out OF 1t?
tell your honors these people have a
claim and just one. These pepole have
long suffered and have put up with a
cruel injustice. They have had to endure
the pangs of poverty with a Just reason.
Their guardian has not done his duty to-
ward them. They now ask the privilege
OF showing up these injustices and pray
that right and justice might prevail at
last and urge that new commission will
be men of such stamp and character and
such.lovers OF justice that they will, with
out evasion and sternly i'm the interest Of
justice, report upon a line OF conduct that
will forever pot an END TO this long, per-
picking problem. May God grant it.
Mr.. Arnolc was followed by Wilbur c.
Wsrd of Boston. Joshua III. Noah, Abram
Champlin, Rev. Eugene Johnson Of
Washington, and others, and all united
that the tribe had an equitable claim
against the state and that the large prop
erty in question should revert to the
original owners under the State law relat-
ing TO guardian and ward.
The committee held the matter under
consideration.