830 THE GHOST-DANCE RELIGION [kth.axx.14 



government with reference to their rations, and in every instance the Indiana wen' 

 assured that subsistence was furnished in accordance with former treaties, ami that 

 signing would not affect their rations, and that they would continue to receive them 

 as provided in former treaties. Wit hunt our assurances to this effect it would ha\ e 

 been impossible to have secured their consent to the cession of their lands. Since 

 our visit to the agencies it appears that large reductions have been made in the 



amounts of 1 f furnished for issues, amount ing at Rosebud to 2,000,000 pounds ami 



at Pine Ridge to 1,000,000 pounds, and lesser amounts at the other agencies. This 

 action of the Department, following immediately alter the successful issue of our 

 negotiations, can not fail to have an injurious effect. It w ill be impossible to con- 

 vince the Indians that the reduction is not due to the fact that the government, 

 having obtained their land, has less concern in looking after their material interests 

 than before. It will be looked upon as a breach of faith and especially as a viola- 

 tion of the express statements of the commissioners. Already this action is being 

 used by the Indians opposed to the bill, notably at Pine Ridge, as an argument in 

 support of tl.e wisdo f their opposition." 



In forwarding this report to Congress the Department called special attention to 

 the above-quoted statements of the commission and said: "The commission further 

 remarks that as to the quality of the rations furnished there seems to be no just cause 

 for complaint, bur that it w as particularly to be avoided that there should !»■ any 

 diminution of the rations promised under the former treaties at this time, as the 

 Indians would attribute it to their assent to the bill. Such diminution certainly 



should not In- allowed, as t he government is I nd in good faith to earn into effect 



the former treaties where not directly and positively a tie. ted by the act. ami if under 

 the provisions of the treaty itself the ration is at an\ time reduced, the commissioners 

 recommend that the Indians should be notified before spring opens, so that crops 

 may be cultivated. It is desirable that the recent reduction made should be restored, 

 as it is now impossible to convince the Indians that it was not due to the fact that 

 the government, having obtained their lands, had less concern in looting after their 

 material interests.'' 



Notwithstanding this plea of the commission and of the Department, the appro- 

 priation made for the subsistence and civilization of the Sioux for 1890 was only 



$950, or $50,000 less than the amount estimated and appropriated for isss and 



1889, and the appropriation not having been made until August 19, rations had to be 

 temporarily purchased and issued in limited quantities pending arrival of new sup- 

 plies to be secured from that appropriation. It was not until January, 1891, after 

 the troubles, that tin appropriation of $100,000 was made by Congress for additional 

 beef for the Sioux. 



Seventh. Other promises made by the Sioux commission and the agreement were 

 not promptly fulfilled; among them were increase of appropriations for education, 

 for which this office had asked an appropriation of $150,000; the payment of $200,000 

 mi ipeusation for ponies taken from the Sioux in 1876 and 1S77: and the reimburse- 

 ment of the Crow Creek Indians tot :i reduction made in their per capita allowance 

 of kind, as compared with the amount allowed other Sioux, which called for an 

 appropriation of $187,039. The fulfillment of till these promises except the last 

 named was contained in the act of January Ilk 1891. 



Eighth. In 1889 and istiu epidemics of la grippe, measles, and whooping cough, 

 followed liy many deaths, added to the gloom and misfortune which seemed to sur- 

 round t he hid tans. 



Ninth, flic wording of the agreement changed the boundary line between the 

 Rosebud and Pine Ridge diminished reservations and necessitated a removal of a 

 portion of the Rosebud Indians from the lands which. l.\ the agreement, were 

 included in the Pine Ridge reservation to lands offered them in lieu thereof upon the 

 diminished Rosebud reserve. This, although involving no meat hardship to any 

 considerable number, added to tin- discontent. 



