New-York tribune., 1902-01-31
APPEALING FOR INDIANS.
THE PRESIDENT PROMISES JUSTICE TO
THE STANDING ROCK SIOUX.
fEY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l


Washington Jan 3o-Representative Morrell. OF
Pennsylvania following UP the differences between
the Indian Office and the Sioux Indians OF the
Standing Rock Reservation. in North and South
Dakota, proposed leases for grazing purposes
called at the White House to-day to Introduce TO
the President Louis Primeau. of the Sioux. and
the delegation chosen by the head men OF the trioe
to represent them in Washington. Primeau. who is
tall fine looking athletic man, pleased the Presl-
dent by handing TO him most earnest appeal from
Hamlin Garland, the author, in behalf OF the
Indians. Garland and Primeau old friends. and
have been together in many lonely hunting trips
AS the President for number or years en-
gagged in cattle raising less than hundred miles
from the Standing Rock lands, he seemed to feel as
if he had met an old neighbor. He showed great
familiarity with the character of the region and
the situation in which the Indians find themselves
General Morrell explained to the President his in
terest in the protection OF the Standing Rock peo-
pie many of whom he had met on the reservation
and in their homes. He urged upon the President
the Importance OF considering in connection with
the lease question the moral advancement OF the
Indians well as the physical To surround their
lands and homes with barbed wire fence and
turn loose on them a horde OF cowboys and thou
sands Of cattle seemed 10 him hardly a cvilizng
and elevating Indian policy.
General Morreu called the Presidents atten-
ton the fact that the Indians and their friends
found great satisfaction in the position which he
took in his recent message TO Congress on the
Indian question. and suggested that the leases
which the Indian Office had recently undertaken 20
rush through diametrically opposed 10 the
Presidents declaration that the Indian should be
made sef-supporting by breaking up tribal rela-
tions tribal funds and the reservation system of
life. To execute hve year leases for the best graz
ing lands OF the Indians seemed 10 him to have
only the result OF perpetuating the reservation
system. and postponing the very process OF indi-
vidualzing Indians which Mr. Roosevelt had so
we'll set forth.
Speaking FOR the Indians. Mr. Primeau said that
two reports current-one TO the effect that
they willing 20 lease and the other that they
were not. The explanation OF this. he said, was
that the Indians were really opposed TO having
their lands leased to the cattlemen. but rather
than have the permit s"stem put in force by the
Indian Office they had consented to the leasing or
their unoccupled lands. with the understanding
that a committee OF Indians should go with the
Indian agent some one from the Indian ONCE
and arrange and agree the boundary lines OF
the tribe To their surprise the Indian Office had
gone forward TO lease the best of their lands with
out allowing the Indians TO say where the lines
should be placed. This disappointing TO them.
it practically involved their homes and the little
headway they had made in cattle raising. II also
broke up their schools and drove the missionaries
away from them which bad thing. He said
that his people sold last year over 800 fine beef
cattle, more than 100000 pounds OF choice beef.
standing Rock Reservation at this time fully 1900
head OF cattle belonging to Indians The leases
dred head. To put the lands in possession OF the
which the Indians had made in cattle raising He
thought the minimum price by the Indian Office
of three cents an acre was too low, and that IL
of the Missouri River were usually leased at the
rate of SO for 60 At the price offered
by the highest bidders in response to the recent
advertisements. the Indians would for their
lands. much o. which were better for grazing Pur-
Primeau said that his people all anxious 10
their lands given to them in severalty. and
they were firmly opposed 10 anything which would
hinder or postpone the removal OF tribal relations
and conditions. They all understand what ctizen-
ship means and would prefer to become citizens
and have the protection of the white mans courts
The President said that he had not failed TO OBJ
Indian lands by cattlemen. and 1t seemed to him
that the leases should be drawn without regard
to the division of the land lin severaty He
sured his visitors that he should take to see
most important step forward in the condition OF
tho Indians He said he in favor OF leasing
the unocCupied lands If the details OF the
ment could be suitably arranged, IL would pro-
the lands seemed likely TO be idle for years
before the grazing operations OF the Indians ex-
panded to reach them. At the time, he
agreed heartily with the friends of the Indians
who protested against invading their homes or the
chOicer lands on which they were successfully
gagged In raising cattle. He expressed great pleasure
in learning that the Indians were making progress
that many of them were sef-supporting and had
cut loose from dependence on the corral and ration
supplies
General Morrer also called with Mr. Primeau
Secretary Hitchcock. with whom they had an
extended interview, going the details Of the
leases and at the Secretary's request ii ar
ranged that Mr.. Primeau should again on no
Mr.. Primeau presented to Secretary Hitchcock a
petition from the head men OF the Sioux stating
their case. explaining the situation which had
deceived them, and asking for relief.