Conclusion
trict's representatives. The support of delegations from other Indian reserve districts comes as a matter of course,—they may in turn be called upon to perform a like service for their constituencies. Together, they are an influence in Congress which can determine the success or failure of a dozen other projects—and they are intent upon advancing only this one. What, then, is easier than to convince the ardent seekers after river improvements, and public buildings, that their scheme is one of sheer philanthropy for the Indian? A few "gentlemen's agreements," judiciously placed, and the business is done.
Why should the whole villainy of it be charged to the western member? Could a scheme such as the Rosebud bill, exposed as it was to every member of the Senate and House of Representatives, have passed the honest scrutiny of members who could have had no possible selfish interest in the bill? In the midst of the general barter, is it in human nature that the western member should not bring his influence into the market-place, and offer it for his one desire?
Under this system the Indian, although ostensibly giving up his substance to his western neighbor, has indirectly been an unwilling subscriber to the thousand and one benefits distributed by Congress to the people the country over. There is in this a reason for the almost inexplicable persistence of the one dishonor that has run the whole length of the na-
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