The new North-west., 1897-03-05
us THERE A SCHEME ;
FEDERAL OFFICIALS CHARGED
WITH PRACTICING DECEIT.
PROVISIONS of the Amendment to
Open the South Hal9 OF the
Co1vilIe Reservation,

Reports have been sent out from WASH
| lhston that the provision in the Indian
| appropriation bill for the opening of the
south half of the Coville reservation to
mineral location, if it became law, would
not not take effect until July 1. A copy of the
been received by Attorney v. A. Green
rear OF Spokane. 1t says nothing about
July l. The amendment is as follows:
Ihat the mineral lands only in the Col
vllie Indian reservation, in the state OF
washington, shall be subject to entry un-
ger tne laws OF the United States in rela-
tlon to the entry of mineral lands, Pro-
v1ded that lands allotted to the Indians
or used by the government for any pur-,
pose or by any school, shall not be SUBJ
Ject to entry under this provision
am convinced that scheme has been
organized by federal officials to appropri-.
ate choice ledges on the reservation" said
a person yesterday who is taking an ac-
tive interest in the opening of the reser-
vatlon, and that the reports sent out
from Washington that the reservation
would not be opened until July / were
manufactured for the purpose of throwing
outsiders off their guard. If they could
create general belief that nothing could
be entered until July l. they would be en-
abled to rush upon the reservation the
moment the president approved the bill,
and enjoy a MONOPOLY of stalking ont
claims.''
1t is said that Hugh Wallace is here
now for the purpose of engineering the
schemes of the federal officials Wallace
IL is Sa1d was in on the former official
syndicate which secured such profitable
interests on the north half Of the reserva-t
tlon. 1t IS said upon good authority that
ne has recently been offered more than
$4c00 cash for his remaining interest In
single company. Wallace it is said had
sixteenth interest in all the syndicate
companies, and it is further alleged that
siNteenths and thirty-seconds were gener-
ously distributed among the federal Off
c1als of the state. 1t is claimed that a
politician who is now a leading candidate
for United States marshal under the Nc
kinley administration carried a sixteenth
interest to Washington and divided it with
United States senator.
The same old gang are repeating the,
same old game" said well informed
person yesterday. II was much amused !.
upon reading an account of their valorous
determination to break up Chinese snug
CLING along the northern border. I have
no doubt that this zeal is inspired by a
desire to gain official access to the reser-
vation.' -@t .
A Wilbur man said yesterday, that in
tense indignation prevailed throughout
that section. "It is we'll understood along
the river he said, "that the agents Of.
the federal ring are being favored by
United States officials, and go upon the
reservation at will. 1t is common belief !.
out there that Joe Warren, Felix Pugh,
Billy Nolan and his brother Bill Hughes
and others are operating in partnership :
with federal officials. 1 look for trouble.
II these men try to seize claims and hold
them with rifles, there will be bloodshed.
They are not the only people in this coun-
try who can shoot. There is great indig-
nation among mining men along the Co
lumbia, who feel that they have to con-
tend with an organized federal ring, and
are therefore working at a serious disad-
vantage"
Involved in Doubt.
The Spokesman-Review telegraphed yes
terday to it's Washington correspondent
for facts about the date of opening, and
for the authority of the recent reports
that the reservation would not be opened
until July The following reply was re- :
ceived last night:
Washington, March 1.-Should the sun
dry civil bill pass the presidents sigma
ture, I am satisfied the south half of the
Colville reservation will be open to min
eral location Immediately. Previous in
formation to the contrary was based on
a statement made by a member of the
Indian Appropriation committe. Quite
a number of senators hold to that opinion.
Senator Wilson said tonight he was not
sure about it, but would leave 1t to the
department to decide. :
The action of the federal ring in en-
leavor1ng to grab choice locations has
been brought to the attention of the In
1lan bureau, also congress, and may re-
suit in the defeat of the entire amend
ment The matter was discussed today
m conference committee, and suggestions
were made that a provision be inserted
liking the date of opening at March Is,
and declaring all prior locations to be null
lnd void. Whether this will be done: can
lot be told tonight