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Show trade an element of stability, is believed to be for the best interests of the Indians. It is unreasonable to expect men of character aud finan- . . . cia1 standing to put up buildings, make improvements, and iuvest cap. I ital in a business whose legitimate pro6t.s can no longer average more . . than those in other mercantile pursuits, unless they can have a fair I prospect of continuing the businel~lp rovided they properly conduct it. . . Competition within the reservation, in addition to that growing up outside, is fostered by licensing on each reserve as mauy traders as prac-ticable. The office strives to put at least two on every reservation, and fails to do so only in cases where the trade is so small that only one trader can make a fair and honest living out of it. The office also encourages Indians to engage in trade on their own acconnt, as one of the "civilized pursuits " which they are to adopt as a means of livelihood. Under the Law Indians of full blood ma,y trade without license rwtriction, but those of mixed blood most obtain a license, which the office is ready to grant if the applicants are worthy. Among the five civilized tribes restriction and supervi~iono f trade by this office has for a long time been mainly nominal, as it is virtually regulated by the respective tribes. Licenses have been issued, on the recommendation of the agent of the Union agency, to all applicants (noll-citizens of the tribes) who have presented trade L'permitsn granted to them by the tribal authorities, and who have furnished the required boud. These annual tribal permits require the holders thereof to pay to the tribe grantiug the permit an annual tax, as prescribed by the laws of the tribe, the amount of tax varying according to the. nature and extent of the busiuesa. It has been fonnd, however, that injustice pervades this entire system. The tribal authorities have required some firms to trade with and allowed others to trade without. license or permit. In some oases taxes are collected and in others they are re-mitted. The taxes themselres are not properly graded, nor are they consistently levied according to the tribal laws. Ouoe in a while the office is called upon by the tribes to revoke a license and "remore" some trader who has failed to comply with their requirements, while of others, equally culpable, no complaint is made. Rank discrimination and faroritism prevail to such an extent that the Government lnust either step in and regulate matters or leave the whole subject to the administration or maladministration of the tribes. Under the law the former course seems to be the duty of the office. The laws on the subject read as follows : Seotion 2129, Reviaad statute;: No person ahall be permitted to trsde with any of the Indiana in the Indian oonntrv without a license therefor from asunerintendent of Indian AITALN, or Iodinn agent, or rub-afenr, which license silnli be iarwll for a rrrnt nor rxeeuding two years fur rhd tribes anst of rhn Slksiesippi, and nor arcec.diur(rl~ree ream for the tribes weat of that river. Section 9133, Revised Statutes: Anyperson other thanan Indian whoshall attempt to reside in the Indian country as a trader, or to introdnce goods, or to trade therein without snoh iioenae, shall forhit all marohirudiaa offered fur able to the Indians, or |
