Year: 1877

cities that are not needed there, and that
would be very valuable to the country
and very comfortably situated if they
were renewed to the free lands along the
Missouri river and Northern Pacific rail-
road.


Instead of injury to the public interests
in any respect, 1t would be great public
benefit to abolish all reservations on the
east bank of the Missouri river below Biz
marck, and all above it except those at
Ft. Berthold and Fl Stevenson. There
is certainly no need Of the military reser-
vation at Ft. Rice. 1t certainly does not
prevent the sale of whiskey, and it prob
ably does not enable the government to
procure hay or wood at cheaper rates
than if there we're no reservation.


There is but one objection to removing
the restrictions on the settlement of the
country all along the east ard north
bank Of the Missouri river, and that Is
the one indicated above. If that could
be overcor1e-that is, 4 rigid enforce
f1ent Of the law against selling intoxica-
ting liquor to the Indians could be relied
on, it would be great advantage to the
country and even to the Indians, to throw
open the entire country, except suita-
BILE reservation for the Indians, and small
ones at the military posts, to the settle
ment Of our people.


Ever since 1 came to Dakota in 1872,
have had favorable opinion of the soil
and climate, and believe still that it has
been undervalued. If the grasshoppers
should cease to inhabit the country ther.
is nothing to prevent Northern and East
ern Dakota from becoming the equal cf
Iowa and Minnesota as home for the
stock raiser and wheat grower.


Yours very truly,


w. P. CARL1N.


The above letter is especially valuable
coming as it. does from an officer Of SO
much merit, and of such acknowledged
standing in the army and in social life ss
Gen. Carlin. His conception OF the sit
uation is clear and candid. We have
been intending to say something in regard
to this matter for some time, but have
been waiting for copy of the executive
order defining the boundaries of these
reservations, that we might speak of it
with full knowledge of all the facts in
the case.


We can see ne benefit accruing to the
Indians from the reserving of this last
tract of country east of the Missouri.
Furthermore, we believe it was an act Of
usurpation to attempt by an order simply
to declare any portion of territory which
had been previously opened for settlement
military reservation. AS we understand
it, the same right exists to declare mill
tary reservation in any portion of the Ter
ritory. While there is not probably as
much inconvenience arising from this as
might have been inferred from recent
article in the Pioneer Press, yet it is true
that the interests of Bismarck demand
that the entire country east of the Mis-
ssuri and south OF Buford should be dis
encountered of any and all obstruct1ons
to its settlement. Let us have little
spell Of rule in the interest of the frontier
settler, and see how it will seem.


Some weeks ago we suggested that the
government might proftably use a por-
ton of its fostering care over the poor
white people who crowd the eastern cit
les, out of employment, as we'll as to law
ish it all upon the noble red man, and we
are still of that opinion. We believe this
country settled by white men, is worth
more to the government, and more to
civilization, than to keep it as haunt for
savages.


Twenty-Five years ago Minnesota was
far behind what Dakota is to-day. Now
she has twenty-five million dollars worth
of wheat to export. Dakota can do the
same if cleared from the annoyance oi
Indian outbreaks and useless reservations


The prospects were good this morning
for refreshing shower of rain, but the
clouds disappeared, and we got shower
of dust instead. The clerk shouldn't
fool us in that way.