New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-25
AN APPEAL ~ BEHALF OF INDIANS.
TIE INDIAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION MAKES y Re-
QUEST FOR HELP

TIE INDIAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION MAKES y EC-
QUEST FOR HELP.
Philadelphia June N-The Executive Commit
tee OF the Indian Rights Association has just tele
graphed 10 Shirley c. Ward. Of Los Angeles. Cal.
counse. for the Warner Ranch Indians. that II has
to-day furnished an indemnity bond OF N.lDl 10
permit him to appeal their to the Supreme
Court. This involves the question OF owner
ship Of lands In Southern California. which
these Indians have lived for the last sixty years.
and which they have held under the terms Of tee
treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo The case IN ques-
ton was recently decided In the lower court
against the Indians. To render possible appeal
70 the Supreme Court, II was necessary 70 furnish
indemnity bond covering the possible lose TO
which the successful suitor might be subjected Il
being kept from possession OF the lands during
the consideration Of the in the Supreme Court
Under ordinary circumstances the Indian Rights
Association would neither have been able nor vii.
ing to accept so heavy an obligation But the
conditions In this case are extraordinary. The
ejectment Of the Indians, which will occur on July
l5 unless their be appealed, renders four hun
drcn innocent men. women and children-whon the
association believes TO be morally and legally the
owners of these lands-homeess. and without
roof to cover them Before them is the probability
OF utter encouragement and pauperisTn, II not
death. Their attorneys assert that the chances CT
success on appeal excellent because the ques-
ton Of law involved is practically the same as that
IN the SaDODd case, winch was argued some years
ago, and resulted in favor OF the Indians APP
peal to the Supreme Court after being lost in tho
lower court. In that instance check for s3,Sc was
furnished by member OF the association a
deposit 10 provide for the bond appeal. The full
amount OF this check repaid on the successful
termination OF this
The Executive Committee was obliged to act with
extreme haste. They had only until June q TO fur
nish the bond. They had no time 10 appeal for in
diydual subscriptions to prevent the consumma-
ton of this great loss and. they believe wrong
70 the Indians; consequently they to-day deposited
5000 Of the associations funds with the American
Surety Company, and two friends of the Indians
Company at telegraphed to It's representative
In Los Angeles to enter the bond for which II had
thus been Unidentified.
This action seriously cripples the Indian Rights
Association by Withdrawing so large a portion OF
Its funds from current uses-a withdrawal that
may last for years-but the committee confidently
believe that their course will be justified and sup
ported by every lover OF justice and humanity and
that those who are able 10 do will promptly
make good by their contributions tho temporary
loss suffered by the association and that they will,
also share the risks assumed by the additional
guarantors
What is needed IS that the friends of tho
ISOLATION should contribute for immediate In
such amounts as they may be able TO give the sum
Of $4,000. on the understanding that II the appeal
Is successful the amounts contributed shall be
repaid out 'he 5000 pledged by the association
which will be returned by the Surety Company.
Funds should be sent TO the office of the assOca-
ton. No l.3o Arch-st., Philadelphia, by check pay
able the order Of the Indian Rights Association.