The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1914-01-22
Beede Answers the
Norton Statement

Forum: Congressman Norton's letter
in The Fargo Forum, Jan. -, is vel
come. 1t shows his position. His
previous telegram left matters in
doubt. For his wrong position in this
matter, and not for any politics, I
must oppose his reelection to con-
gress.
1t is against the interests of tho
people and against true humanity to
perpetuate a system of Indian gov
eminent which must soon cause
race of detectives in North Dakota,
similar to those now on the White
Earth reservation in Minnesota. 1t
will cost millions of money. It is
against true humanitarianism. With
immediate honesty and energy such
pitable condition can be avoided in
North Dakota.
Mr.. Norton and the Indian bureau
admit that whereas a few years ago
more than 100000 head of cattle were
owned by the Indians on this reser-
walton, they now possess only about
4,500." This statement is welcome. 1t
is true. I have hesitated to make this
and similar startling statements, only
because the official reports" Official
affidavits," etc., are not in my posses
sion.
The fall roundup, 1910, showed
over 5000 calves. There were 100000
in 1910. Now there are only $500.
This loss alone is enough to condemn
the governmental system. They tried
to purge the Indian bureau by laying
the guilt to Mr.. Roberts. Gin charge
of the cattle" He is dismissed. And
I approve; not because he is guilty
but because any man in his place, tied
up as he was, lacks opportunity, and
so might as we'll be dismissed.
Will the Indian bureau give free &C.
cess to all copies of papers and tele-
grams, or not? Will it furnish copies
of these to citizens desiring them?
Is the Indian bureau, with its over
lords CLOSED corporation" or is it
a public function with it's acts and
records fully open to the public? Is
it primarily community self-govern-
ment, or is it "a bureaucracy"
Since "a few years ago seven
eighths of the cattle have disappeared.
Thirty-fve thousand cattle have dis
appeared. Normally they should
have increased, instead Of decreasing.
Did they die on the prairie? If so,
find their skeletons and show them.
Their bones we'll covered with the
flesh went to South st. Paul, Sioux
City, Chicago and Omaha. Prove this?
No! Let the Indian bureau prove it,
if detectives and inspectors are honest.
I am not a millionaire. can't coerce
men and make affidavits and l do not
want to do it. l want all men free to
speak the truth.
This admitted cattle loss is sufh-
cient to condemn the whole reserva-
ton management. Mr.. Norton and,
the bureau avoid mentioning beef
trust" cattle on this reservation, no
"beef trust" no, just "gentlemen's
agreement" That's all. That's suf1-
cient. Thirty-ive thousand cattle
when the railroad came
The railroad didn't steal them.
When public opinion forced the bu-
reau to feed Indians, starving without
their fault, then food was given out.
Thirty thousand dollars was given
for road work, rather useless in win.
ter, but it keeps men alive. II l am,
able to force the bureau with it's over
lords to give out 100000 needlessly, l
am a smart man, and people will GER
tainly be interested in what l say.
Norton and the bureau admit that In
dams are, or can be "for the most
part self-supporting;" that they are
"quick and ready to extend charity"
Give them liberty, that's what they
need. Give complete liberty, with full
control over person and property.
Does the bureau want to benefit In
dams, or do the over-lords want to
maintain a system for profit?
They intend to perpetuate a man.
destroying system as long as congress
will appropriate money, and then drop
the Indians regardless of the degener-
ates the system has made, and will
cause untold cost to the several states.
John Brown and Red Tomahawk
and others claim that my statements
are "untrue?" I have a paper freely
made in the handwriting Of John
Brown, and with the full knowledge
Of Red Tomahawk, showing that with
one days search they had found sew
enten families in great restitution.
[ know they were in restitution. The
Indian bureau :. and it's over-lords do