The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-02
OPENING THE FLATHEAO
Much Interest Taken in the Joint
Memorial.
TIT IS FULL TIME TO ACT
The Commissioners Methods Have Had
Such an Apparent Lack OF Sim
certify That the Head Men
Will Not Trust Them.


terest throughout Western Montana in
| the joint. memorial introduced in the
state senate by Senator Wcrden. The
| memorial deals with the question of
opening the Flathead reservation The
Standard, during the past year, has
made frequent inference to the inetfi-
cheney of the federal commission APP
pointed to treat with the confederated
tribes of the reservation. Their meth
DDS have had such an apparent lack of
sincerity and they have practiced so
much deceit upon the head men of the
tribes that the Indians have no conf
dence in them and it is almost impos-
sible to get the chiefs to counsel with
the commissioners. The Worden me-
mortal proposes to correct this condi-
tion of affairs by having the commits
sion made up of men who are at least
familiar with the situation in Western
Montana and, if possible, residents of
this region
The wonderful resources of the region
embraced in the present boundaries of
the reservation are well known. Vast
tracts of agricultural and grazing lands,
rich timber belts, mineral deposits of
great value, splendid water supplies
and might be made sources of revenue
and profit to the state.
The text of the memorial is as fol-
lows:
To the Honorable the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United
States in Congress Assembled:
Whereas, There are now in the por-
ton of the state of Montana, known
as the Flathead Indian reservation,
many thousand acres of magnificent
agricultural land, in every way suita-
Bile for farming and stock raising,
which are now wholly uncultivated, and
practically uninhabited by any one. the
only persons living thereon being In
dams, and which said lands are far
in excess of the needs and demands of
said Indians. and yield no revenue
whatever, either to the national gov
eminent or the state of Montana, and
add nothing to the material wealth
thereof, but is rather a source of trou-
Bile. expense and annoyance to both;
| and
Whereas, There are thousands of cit
liens who are now ready and anxious
to go upon said reservation as soon as
the same is opened for settlement, there
to make their homes and reduce said
lands to a state of settlement and cul-
tiVation, which We your memoialists,
assert, will add millions of dollars to
Montana, and yield much revenue to
the national and state government;
| and, 4,p
| Whereas, There is now an Indian
commission appointed by the general
government to negotiate with the In
dams upon said reservation for the sur
| render of their title to the same to the
United States, which said commission
| has been for more than two years ne
| gotiating with said Indians to the end
aforesaid, but your memorialists as
| sert that owing to the fact that the
persons comprising said commission
| were appointed from without the state
| of Montana, and for other reasons, said
commission has thus far been unable
to do anything looking to the end and
| purpose for which they We're appointe-
ed, but on the contrary has developed
much opposition from such Indians, to
the extent that we believe it is now
impossible for the commission now in
| existence for that purpose to make any
progress whatever toward the opening
! for settlements of lands embraced in
! said reservations; and,
| Whereas, We believe if proper per-
| sons who are citizens of the state of
Montana and familiar with said In
| dams, their customs and wants and in
whom said Indians would naturally re-
| pose greater confidence, We're appoint
| ed as special commission to act in
| place and instead of said commission
now in existence, that great good would
result therefrom, and that such por-
| tions of said reservation as are deemed
advisable, would be speedily opened for
settlement, with the results herenbe-
| fore set forth.
| Resolved, therefore, That we, your
memorialists, the legislative assembly
of the state of Montana, earnestly pray
and petition the congress of the United
States to enact such speedy and prop
er legislation as will result in the ap-
pontment of the special Indian com
mission herein mentioned, and the
speedy opening of said lands for settle.
ment and cultivation.
And it is further resolved, That the
secretary of state of Montana be- and
he is hereby ordered to furnish a copy
of this memorial to each of our sen
ators and representatives in congress