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Show I B,EPORT OF TEE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XVII ich in the mean time had been prepared as a substitute for H. R. o. 354, was reported by the House Committee on Indian Affairs. and more comprehensive in its cletails than ouse bill No. 354, and has received the nlquali6ed approval of this ffice as a measure well calculated to meet the requirements of the In- - ians. In this connection I would also draw attention to Senate bill No. 773, introduced at the last session, which, in addition to providing for in severalty, extends over Indian tribe the protec-tion of the laws of the States and Territories in which they may reside, and at the same time makes the Indians amenable thereto. The demand for title to lands in severalty by the reservation Indians is almost universal. It is a measnre correspondent with the progressive age in which we live, and is indorsed by all true friends of the Indian, as is evidenced by the, numerous petitions to this effect presented to Congress from citizens of various States. Following the issue of pat-ents comes disintegration of tribal relations, and, if his land is secured for a wholesome period against alienation, and is protected against the & . rapacity of speculators, the Indian acquires a sense of ownership, and, learning to appreciate the results and advantages of labor, insensibly prepares himself for the duties of a citizen. I therefore earnestly recom-mend the speedy passage of such legislation as may best effect the In connection with the general subject of Indian lands, I desire to call' attention to the following special bills introduced at the last session of Senate bill No. 1630, providing for the removal to and consolidation upon the White Earth Reservation, in Minnesota, of several bands of Chippewa Indians now located on various reservations in ~Minnesota, and such bands as are now located in Otter Tail and Todd Counties ant1 etyewhere in said State, and the Turtle Mountain band of Pembins, Chip-pewas in Dakota Territory; also for the sale of the lands vacated, and investment of the proceeds for t,he benefit of said Indians, and for allot-ment to them of lands in severalty npon the White Earth Reservation. The White Earth Reserve contains an area of 1,146,672 acres, and is naturally adapted to agricultural settlement, whereas the lands now oceupied by the Indians whose removal is contemplated are not generally adapted to farming purposes, but are chiefly valuable for the pine timber growing thereon, for which, if the Indian title shonld be extinguished, a ready sale could be found. The Indians now occupying the White 1 ~ a r t Rh e servation are rapidly progressing in civilization- They raise I 1 large quantitiesof grain, ind are pr~ctimllys elf-supporting. he benefit 'I resulting to the Indian from his exchange of a wandering life for a uer- manenthome could not be better demonstrated than by&nparingthe I condition of those now at White Earth with the condition of those who still retain their nomadic habits.' The passage of this bill would enable 1 the department to locate the vhole of the Chippewas of Minnesota and IND-I1 1 |