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Show I CO~ISSIONEB OE INDIAN AFFAIRS. 65 I Secretary to control that money was sustained by the wurt of appeals of the District ) of Columbia in the case of Hitchcock, Secretary, etc., u. Bigboy, decided June 25, 1803. The reasons leading to the conclusion reached in that case are equally potent to sustain the authority proposed to be exercised here. The general wnditions at the Yankton Agency, as depicted by the special agent, ' and the particular cases described by him, show conclusively the urgent need of immediate action in the premises. After wnsideration of thin matter, I am of opinion that the recommendation of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs shonld be approved and action taken in acwrdmce therewith. As to the details involving the amount of money that m y be drawn in any one month with the approval of the agent, etc., I express no opinion because they are matters with which the administrative office is more familiar than is this office. I am quiteconvinced, however, that the money received from sales of these lands should he so placed that it may not be drawn except upon check countersigned by the agent or some other officer of the Government. The subject of a permanent investment of these funds to secure an income to the Indian therefrom is a matter that may be considered and decided hereafter. This opinion was approved by the Department September 8 and September 12. - September 16 the O5ce submitted an amendment to paragraph 1 of section 1 of the rules approved October 4, 1902, E.a$& apply them to the inherited Indian lands at Yankton Agency. amendment w a a~p proved by the Department September 19 and was made to apply to all agencies. The paragraph, us amended, reads as follows: I. (17 Owners of such inherited Indian lsnds desiring to sell the same may petition the Indisn agent, or other officer having charge, within whose territorial jurisdiction the land is located, praying that the land therein described may he sold under said act in accordance with tbe regulations, and agreeing that the proceeds to be derived therefrom shall be placed with the nearest and most convenient United States deposi-tory to the credit of each heir in proper proportion, subject to-the check of such heirs, or, in the case of minors, subject to the check of their recognized guardians, for amounts not exceeding $10 to each in any one month when approved by the agent or other officer in charge, and only when so approved, and for sums in excess of $10 per month upon the approval of such qent only when specifically authorized by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The petition shall be signed by all the law-ful heirs, and, in case of minors, by their legal represents.tive.8, and shall set forth . every material fact ne-ry to show full title under the laws applicable. Allagents or other officers in charge of agencies where inherited Indian lands are being offered for sale have been instructed as to how to proceed under the foregoing amendment, and the Office has reason . to believe the remedy afforded will prove effective in bringing about better conditions. Some complaints have been received from persons to whom the Indians have become indebted. All such complainants have been informed that where transactions with lndians have been honestly conducted no apprehension need he felt as to satisfactory settlement. The following table shows the sales of inherited Indian lands made between September 15,1903, and June 30, 1904: |
