OCR Text |
Show t.' .~: . . . . . would be for their inteiest can bbemad6andcomplebed withinthe next . ~ ~.~ three or four years, with the possible exception of the Sioux Indians,. > - ~. :. . 'of whom some now desire allotments and others strongly oppose them. ... .. :. .. . . For a .table shaming allotments made to date, see Appendix,p&ge 184. -.- ., . . 1 have 'sent to agents a letter of inquiPy,in regard to the practical , . .'a - . ..~ results thus far attaiied by allotments. Some of their replies will be printed in the Appendix, page 185. The letter is as follows: ~. : . I desire you to give me, at the earliest pob~ihle time, tlie result of your ohserve- . .. . tions npon the preotiosl working of the general allotment law, so far a s it effects . the Indians under your ,charge. , . - WLtato. ro.oo rtion of theaUotte& reaide naon their allotmeutaV What proportion manifest a disposition to cultivate their land7 [ I)o ronridcrnbla n n m b ~ or f the ullotfoes approriafa tlteirprivilogea and rnalise I F,:'..- - - their oGisstions as citizenst I C - - Haveany e<,usidurablvrwmher of the ullorteesexcrrised rlje right of franchise, and, if so, have the.^ vvted intellig.e ntly sod free from briherg or other rorraptiag in- ~ flueioes~ Do you $serve soy tendenay among the allot&ea to a, greater individnal inde-' pwd?nee and a weakening of triISn1 tieat - How msuy of the allottees haye leased their lsnds? How many have applied to you for permission to leaee, and what is your judgment in regard to allowingthemto lmse their landst - If white settlers are morear~ksisn termingled with dlottees, 8 t h t he effect uoon the latter. You will'alalso give your opinion aa to whnt will be the general effect of tbe,allat-bent system and citizenship upon the Indians under your ohsrge and the reasons for mch opinion. 1 would also be plesaed to have my suggestions you may be disposed to make re-garding my npodifioations of the syatem that may seem to you desirable. . . INDIAN HOMESTEAD CONTESTS. '. Many ~ndianas, eeing that the public lands are rapidiy disappearing, have songht to wail themselves of the privileges extended to them under existing homestead and allotment laws in order.to secure homes for themselves and families. By reason of these efforts,conteuts of Indian entries are not infrequent. As a general rile, the Indian is utterly ignorant of our sys& of land titles, and of the method of .procedure necessary for him twadopt to acquire title to the land upon which he has lived and over which'he has roamed at will for a generation or more. If proper entry thersof is - made and wntest is subsequently initiated, he is at.a greater loss still to know how to proceed with the defense, and is usually without the . .necessary b d s to pay tbe legal fees thereby incurred. . . Believing that Congress should make an appwpriation to pay the expenaes of the Indians in contest oases, this office on January 5, last, submitted the draft of an item for. this purpose for insertion in the Indian appropriation bill for the present fiscd year, but no, action on the matter was taken by. Congress. , ' The office, however, has made, and yi1l continue to make, every en-deavor possible to aid the Indian in such cases in the proper preaenta-tion of his defense before the looal land officers. |