The Tomahawk., 1919-03-13

ArgOnne Forest and Sedan, nave
petitioned Congress to stop the
appropriations. (See Cong. Rec.
Jan. a.; 1919, p 2O88).
The Senate of the Minnesota
Legislature has adopted Il resolu-
ton calling upon the Minnesota
Delegation to oppose the appro
priatjon. (See Cong. Rec. Feb. 5,
1919 |
The press of our State is q unit
in its denunciation of the depart.
mental machine among our people
in Minnesota. The Duluth News
Tribune of January %, 1919, con-
tains an editorial which is sample
of the editorials appearing in the
press of our State, in denunciation
of tue administration maintained
by the Indian Bureau among the
Chippewa Indians, and which con-
cludes in these words:
minnesota should do one of two
things. 1t should go to Washing and
demand either total reversal of this
Indian system of robbery, or demand
that the Indians, at least of this
State, be released from it and given
tile right of self-determination."
(r) Claims which the Govern
ment agreed to pay in 1889 remain
unpaid.
In 1889 when the G Commissioners
representing the United States
sought the ratification by the Chip
pewa Indians of Minnesota of the
act of January IA, 1889, the In,
dams refused to consider the mat
ter, stating as their reason that the
United States had violated every
previous agreement it had entered
into with them and had refused to
pay the Indians their just claims
resulting therefrom. This appears
in the message of President Ha"-
rjson I'll. Elk. Doc. 247, 81 Cong,
1st Ses., PIP. & y, wherein Pres
ident Harrison diplomtically al
ludes to it in these words:
THE commissioners did not es
cape the embarrassment which I'M
fortunately too often attends our
negotiations with Indians, viz An
indispositi0n to treat with the
Government for further. concess-
sions while it's obligations incurred
under former agreements are un
kept. am sure it will he the dis
position of Congress to consider
promptly and ina just and friend
Iy spirit. the claims presented by
these Indians through our com.
missioners, which have been for.
INFLATED in the draught of Il bill
prepared by the Secretary of the
Interior and submitted herewith. -
After the act of January II,
1889, had been explained to the
Indians and before they would as
sent to it they insisted upon, the
commissioners representing the
United States holding up their
hands and taking an oath that the
agreement would be lived up to.
Oh p. IA this appears 10 the rec
ord of the negotiations:
mo din quah um. l insist upon
the raising of hands as to what l
told the bishop. CHE three com
missioners then rose and raised
their hands in affirmation of the
promises made, the chairman say
ing: We promise to do all in our
power to carry out the understand
ing.)"
On PIP. ~ and 10 of the same
document appears the draft of a
bill providing for the payment of
numerous claims, the amounts hav-
ing been ascert ,ined and agreed on
by the government officers. Thirty
years have passed and these claims
remain unpaid today. The genera!
council is insisting upon the pay
ment of these liquidated claims.
The Indian Office has done nothing
to secure the payment of these
claims for the Chlppewas, and un
less the act FOR themselves through
their general council they will re-
ceive nothing at the hands of the
Government.
(D Instances without number of
violations of the agreement of 1889
by the Indian Bureau in its admin
isiration of that agreement can be
cited.
Instances without number can be
cited of the utter disregard by the
Indian Bureau of the provisions Of
the agreement of 1889 in the ad
ministration of the estate Of the
Chippewa Indians in Minnesota
which it was authorized to admin
lister by the act of January IA,
1889, as that act was agreed to by |
the Chippewa Indians. Through
their general council the Chippewa |
I~o Loor on1o I'm onpeoof